Press Release: 7 Rohingyas killed, including women and children, 100 Rohingyas arrested

Date 15/01/2014

PR/01/14

7 Rohingyas killed, including women and children, 100 Rohingyas arrested

On 13th January 2014, in the early morning at around 3 am, a group of police, security forces, military and Rakhine entered Kiladaung village, south of Maungdaw, Arakan State. They entered a house and demanded valuables, gold and money from the Rohingya woman living there. Her husband had hidden when they saw the security forces approaching. When the woman refused to give them her jewellery, the security forces raped and killed her. When her children began shouting, many villagers came and violence started.

The police opened fire on the villagers. Three Rohingya women, three children and one man were killed and 4 people wounded by gunshot. About one hundred Rohingyas were arrested at that time and arrests have continued since Tuesday morning. There are reports that military, police and security forces and Rakhines are looting Rohingya properties in the village, including cows, rice and valuables. Some sources report rumours spread by security forces and police that one police officer was killed.

We urge President Thein Sein’s government:

To release immediately the arrested Rohingyas and to provide safety and security to the Rohingya villagers in Arakan.
To take action against those who were involved in the rape and murder of the Rohingya women and to allow international media free access to investigate the issue.

BROUK President Tun Khin said, “This attack is part of a systematic pattern of threats, intimidation and violence which is creating a situation of effective apartheid, keeping Rohingya separate from the rest of the population, displaced in camps and forcing many to flee the country. We urgently need humanitarian intervention in Arakan State to save Rohingya lives and an international investigation into the violence. It is shocking that the British government is training the Burmese military when the same Burmese military are killing innocent Rohingyas”.

BROUK is calling for an independent international investigation into the violence, which will not only help establish the truth, but also help prevent further attacks as for the first time those responsible will fear being held accountable.

We request the UN, OIC, EU, UK and US:

To support UN humanitarian intervention to Arakan State to save Rohingya lives.
To support an international independent investigation team to establish the true facts, including what really happened in Kiladaung village in Maungdaw.
To put pressure on President Thein Sein’s government to stop continued crimes against humanity against Rohingyas.

For more information, please contact Tun Khin +44 7888714866

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