Arakan News Updates (in Sittway and Maung Daw)

September 7, 2013

Immigration Resumes Population Census in Sittway

1) On 6^th September 2013, immigration department in Sittway resumed population census on Rohingyas in Aung Mingalar Quarter, Sittway (Akyab). A few details that the authority inquired from house to house were name of the head of the household and family numbers (i.e. numbers of males and females). However, they didn’t ask anything about name of the race nor did they fill up the blank regarding that. But people are worried whether authority will fill up as “Bengali” by themselves.(A source on the ground reported)

Atrocities by the Authority Continue in Maung Daw

2) Hlun Htein (Security Force) at the station by the Pandaw Pyin (Lal Boinna) Bridge, Southern Maung Daw, severely beat Salimullah S/o Abdul Hoque (22) from the village of Nurullah of Bagguna village tract at 4PM on 5^th September 2013. He is a shopkeepr and was on his way to the downtwon of Maung Daw to buy shop supplies. Then, the security force looted the money (Kyat 75,000) he had in him. (Report by MYARF)

3) At around 10AM on 5^th September 2013, Rahmat Ullah S/o Kabir (age 15) from Hajja Fara (Labbawza) was arrested and inhumanely tortured by the Security Force from the Pyin Phyu Station (evacuated by the abolished NaSaKa), northern Maung Daw. Later, he was released after the extortion of Kyat 80,000.

The accusation against the said Rohingya victim was that he found out a lost notebook of the security force. In actual fact, he didn’t find out anything but was working at his shop.(Report by MYARF)

4) At 1:30PM on 6^th September 2013, a gang of brutal Rakhine Police severely beat up Hafez Ishaaq S/o Abu Siddik (Age 32) from the village of Myo Thu Gyi (Khainda Fara) for no reason. He was on his way to his shop and it was at in front of the United Guest House in Maung Daw where he got beaten by the gang. After that, he was taken to the Police Custody. Nothing has been heard of him since then.

Every day, Rohingyas in Maung Daw are facing similar tragedies in the hands of the inhumane authority. (Report by MYARF)

Amnesty International's T. Kumar to Speak at the Islamic Society of North America's Convention

Amnesty International's T. Kumar to Speak at the Islamic Society of North America's Convention Advocacy Director T. Kumar to Speak on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) Contact: Carolyn Lang, clang@aiusa.org, 202-675-8759 /EINPresswire.com/ (Washington, D.C.) -- Amnesty International Advocacy Director T. Kumar will address the Islamic Society of North America's 49th Annual Convention "One Nation Under God: Striving for the Common Good," in regards to the minority community of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) on Saturday, September 1, at 11:30 am at the Washington DC Convention Center.

American Buddhists Promote 969 Movement With Website

Irrawaddy News: July 9, 2013 A group of American Buddhists has launched an English-language website promoting the 969 movement, in response to negative media surrounding the ultra-nationalist Buddhist campaign in Burma. The website aims to dispel “myths” about the movement, with a letter from nationalist monk Wirathu to a Time magazine reporter whose article about 969 was banned in Burma. “We’re not officially endorsed by Ven Wirathu at this time but will send a delegation to his monastery soon,” a spokesperson for the site said via email, adding that the group would create a nonprofit to coordinate “969 activities worldwide in response to religious oppression.”

Rohingya Activist Nominated for Human Rights Award

PHR congratulates Zaw Min Htut, a Burmese Rohingya activist, on his nomination for the 2011 US State Department Human Rights Defenders Award . Zaw Min Htut has been working for Rohingyas’ rights through the Burmese Rohingya Association of Japan since he fled Burma in 1998. Prior to that he was a student activist in Burma, and was detained for his participation in protests in 1996. In Japan, Zaw Min Htut has organized protests at the Burmese embassy and has written books on the history of Rohingya.

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