MARGINALIZATION OF THE ROHINGYA IN ARAKAN STATE OF WESTERN BURMA

The Rohingya of Burma are the world's most persecuted and vulnerable ethnic minority. Due to
their racial and religious differences with the Burman Buddhist-majority, they have been officially
declared by Burma’s ruling military regime as non-citizens of Burma, making them legally stateless
people. They are treated not only as aliens, but also modern-day slaves in their ancestral homeland
of Arakan.
Arakan (also known as Rakhine) State is a state of the Union of Myanmar. Situated on the
western coast, it is bordered by Chin State to the north, Magway, Bago, and Ayeyarwady Divisions
to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the
west, and the Chittagong Division of
Bangladesh to the north- west. It is
located between latitudes 17°30'
north and 21°30' north, and
longitudes 92°10' east and 94°50'
east. The Arakan Yoma mountain
range, which reaches to 3,063 meters
at Victoria Peak, separates Arakan
(Rakhine) State from Burma (or
‘Myanmar’) proper. Its area is 36,762
km² (14,194 sq. miles), and its capital
is Sittwe (or ‘Site-tway’, formerly
Akyab). Arakan (Rakhine) State
consists of four districts: Sittwe,
Maungdaw, Kyaukphyu and Thandwe.
Combined, these districts contain a
total of 17 townships and 1,164
village-tracts. 1
The official population in 2007 was
3,744,976, and in 2010 the population
was estimated to be 3.83 million.2 The
state is inhabited primarily by two
major groups of people, the Rakhine
ethnic group and the Rohingya ethnic
group. According to Government
Divisional Administration estimates,
10,33,212 Rohingya live in Northern
Arakan State. The majority of the
people of Arakan State are Buddhists,
with the second-largest group being
Muslims.

Burma Heading Towards the Worst

Burma's national icon of democracy, peace and liberty, Daw Aung San Suu Kyie has
cautioned the people of
Burma to prepare for the
worst, during a rare meeting
with the members of her
party, the National League
for Democracy on Jan
30.2008, after she was
allowed a rare respite from
house arrest. She criticized
the series of meetings she has
held with the military junta's
Liaison Minister, Aung Kyi
for failing to yield any
tangible result towards the
achievement of any political
reform. So, it is clear that Burma is heading to witness another grim showbiz of blood-bath
which may be the worst in the history of Burma, if the military rulers stick to their hard-line
stance to grind the hopes of the people of Burma under their despotic wheel and thus to defy
the international outcry to restore peace and democracy in Burma.
During the long 46 years of unbroken military rule since 1962, Burma has witnessed many
episodes of brutalities and tyranny of the army who have always treated the guns as not for
shooting upwards, but to shoot directly at those who raise their voice against the military
rule.
On July 7.1962, the army has indiscriminately massacred more than 100 students of Rangoon
University, wounded many others and arrested about 3000 students, simply because they
raised their protest against some rules and regulations which were imposed upon them by the
regime restricting their usual movement same as those in the military barracks, prohibiting
students coming in or going out after 8 pm and signing the register book to ascertain that they
were in. Such rules sent students to bed hungry because the dinner provided by the hall was
served from 4.30 to 6.30 pm and supper was not provided by the hall and the students had to
manage it according to their convenience. However, in the morning of the 7th July 1962, the

The Rohingya community of Arakan, Burma

The Rohingya community of Arakan, Burma (Myanmar) is one of the most down-trodden ethnic
minorities of the world. They are victims of political oppression, economic exploitation and cultural
slavery in their ancestral land - Arakan - where they have been living for centuries.
Since the beginning of the 20th century the Rohingyas have been groaning under the crushing wheels of
tyranny decades after decades. Ignoring all the irrefutable historical evidences of Rohingyas’ glorious past
in Arakan, the Rohingyas have been suddenly made an illegal immigrant community in Arakan by the
Burmese military regime through an amendment to the Burma citizenship law in 1982.
With the loss of their legitimate right as the bonafide citizens of Burma, the Rohingyas have become
homeless in their own home. The authority has been subjecting them to severe persecutions including
serious restrictions of their movement even from village to village, ban on their marriage without
government permission, religious persecution, extortion, land confiscation and restrictions on access to
education. Arakan State is a closed zone for the media and so there is no scope for the world media to
cover what is going on with the Rohingyas inside Arakan.
A life with fear – is the life of Rohingyas. They pass their life in sub-human condition with half naked
body full of hunger and grief. Tears are their permanent companions. They cry in corners and eventually
die in silence.
Rohingyas want peace. They want their legitimate right as the ethnic community of Arakan. They want a
society which would be free from political oppression, economic exploitation, social anarchy and cultural
slavery through the restoration of democracy in Burma. They are in quest of justice and peace. They want
to achieve their goals through all peaceful and lawful means.
Rohingyas: Tears Down the Cheeks is a collection of some of my articles which have been published by
different news media. Despite my limited knowledge and linguistic limitations, I have tried to tell the
stories of agonies of the oppressed Rohingyas. I have also tried to tell the stories of agonies of the people
of Burma who have been groaning under the military rule decades after decades.
I strongly believe that the Rohingyas, with some 3.5 million population, whose historical presence in
Arakan started nearly a millennium ago, will never disappear from the world, simply because they have a
language of their own which they will never forget and start using a different language as their mother
tongue. As long as they exist in the world, they will speak in their Rohingya language and so their history
will run for all the time to come.
Finally, I take my hat off to all the brilliant sons of the Rohingya Mother for all their contributions and
sacrifices for the peace and human rights of their oppressed community in the past, present and also in the
future. I also take my hat off to all those who struggle through all lawful and peaceful means to bring a
smile to the distressed humanity.
From the core of my heart all that I wish and pray is a peaceful life for the groaning Rohingyas, a peaceful
life for the suffering people of Burma and a peaceful life for the distressed humanity around the world.

Ahmedur Rahman Farooq
2975, Vang I Valdres, Norway

Gold Coin minted in the early period of Maruk-U Empire with Muslim KALIMA

AFK JILANI
According to Daulat Kazi," The
king made Ashraf Khan his Chief
Minister and the commander of his
army. One day the king Thiri
Thudama (Salim Shah 11) went on
hunting expedition with his army.
The king with his army stayed there
for four months. The chief minister
returned to his court with the
permission of the king. When Ashraf
Khan sat in the court the Mughal, the
Pathans and numerous Hindus sat in
rows. Asharaf Khan was like full
moon in its sixteen parts." Asharaf
Khan was virtually in charge of
conducting all state affairs.(Missing
Links in Arakan History By S.N.
Goshal P-258.)Sri Bara Thakur was
the Lasker Wazir or war minister or
defence minister of the king
Narapatigyi (1638-1645 A.D.) The war
minister Sri Bara Thakur was blessed
with a son by praying to God.
MAGAN Thakur was the son of
Sri Bara Thakur. Alaol Writes,’ He
was the famous Magan who
possessed excellent qualities, he
was extremely handsome, and there
is no end of his virtues. His generosity
was known throughout the
country, he was born in the family of
Siddiq and he was a Sheik and he
was well known in the world by his
good birth and good deeds. He was
an Alim himself and was learned and
he recognized merit. He brought
learned men of his country and
honored them." Sri Bara Thakur was
the war minister of the king. By
begging to God he got the offspring
in the morning. Because he was
obtained by praying or begging, he
was given the name as
Magan. "Thakur” was the official title
given by the king. “The princess was
extremely pretty and polite, the king
brought up his daughter with great
care.
Seeing the tender age of the
princess the king was thinking as to
whom the guardianship of the
princess was to be given. The king
made Magan Thakur the guardian of
princess because he was a great
virtuous man When the king died the
princess became the chief queen.
She appointed her guardian the
prime minister of the kingdom."
The fact is that the king Narapatigyi
had no son, but only a daughter.
When the king became old, he
appointed Magan Thakur, who was a
minister, and who belonged to a good
Arab family, guardian of his daughter.
After the king’s death she was married
to Thado Minthara, the nephew of the
king, i.e. the king`s daughter was
married to her cousin. Thado Minthara
became king and the king`s daughter
became the chief queen of the
kingdom. Magan Thakur became the
chief or prime minister of the
kingdom. But the king Thado Minthara
died in 1652 and was succeed by his
minor son Sanda Thudama (1652-
1684).Sanda Thudama was a minor
and the queen ruled the country as
regent. She gave her guardian Magan
Thakur the authority to rule the country
on her and her son’s behalf and he
was promoted to be the chief minister
or Prime Minister of the kingdom.
Magan Thakur ordered Alaol to compose
epic work Padmavati, which the
poet completed in 1651 during the
reign of Thado Minthara. Magan
Thakur later ordered to compose Saiful
Mulk Badiujjamal. Alaol began the
work, but before completing the book
Magan Thakur died and the
composition of the book remained
incomplete.
After the death of Magan Thakur
Sayyid Musa was appointed Prime
Minister of Arakan.Sayyid Musa
remained in this office for about a
decade under the king Sanda
Thudama. Alaol received patronage
from him and at his order completed
the composition of Saiful Mulk
Badiujjamal. He completed the book in
1669-70A.D.
Thee next Muslim prime minister
of Arakan was Nabaraj Majalis. He
Nizami Ganjabi. According to Shah
Alaol`s Sikandernama, Srimata
Majlis became a Mahamaintya or
Chief or Prime Minister of Roshang
(Arakan) after the death of Prime
Minister Sayyid Musa. Hearing the
name and fame of Alaol, Nabaraj
Mujlis called the poet to his court
and gave him much support, so
much so that Shah Alaol was able to
clear the state dues. Once the Prime
Minister sat in the assembly of
learned men, arranged foods and
drinks for the guests. Those present
in the assembly praised the Prime
Minister for his good deeds,
particularly the construction of
Mosques and excavation of tanks.
In reply Nabaraj Majlis said that
mosques and tanks were not
permanent. In old days great men
did these beneficial works, but they
did not last. Only books have lasted,
books pleased the readers, books
impart education. Illiterate people
became learned by reading books;
books and poets are honored not
only in their own country but also
out side, and books last until the
day of resurrection. The book
Sikandernama was completed by
Shah Alaol in 1673AD.
Nabaraj Majlis was so important
a personality that he administered
the coronation oath to the king
Sanda Thudama. Shah Alaol says
about this:” The great religious king
had a Prime Minister known as
Nabaraj MAJLIS. Now I will tell
something about Majlis. When the
king died, the crown prince came to
sit on the throne. Outside the
throne, he stood facing the east.

Brother Shabbir Hussein was
born on 18 April 1941 in a respectable
Rohingya family at Ponyolic
village under Buthidaung township,
Arakan,Burma. His father was late
Master Ahamadur Rahman and the
mother was late Salima Khatun.
Late Shabbir Hussein had his early
schooling at his native village, and
had his middle and high school
education at Buthidaung and Akyab
(Sittwe). Having matriculated from
Akyab Government High School in
1959 he joined Intermediate College
at Kyauk Pru; then he continued his
studies in Arts and Science
University of Rangoon from 1962
until he secured his B.A degree with
economics and political science in
1965. With a vision he attended the
Basic Military Training of the
University Training Crops (UTC) in
1962-65.
In his student life he participated
in various social welfare and
cultural activities and joined many
socio-political Organisations. He
was a Central Executive Committee
member of Muslim Students
Association (MSA) and Danya
Waddy Students Association (DSA)
at Kyauk Pru College from 1959-
1962. Late Shabbir Hussein was
General Secretary of the Rangoon
University Rohingya Students
Organisation from 1961 to 1964 as
well as Central Committee member of
the Rangoon University Muslim
Students Association (RUMSA) from
1962 to 1964.
After his graduation, Shabbir
Hussein joined the Ministry of Trade
Corporation in Burma and worked as
township trade manager until he
joined the underground freedom
movement of Rohingya Independence
Force (RIF) in 1969. He actively played
a key role when the members of the
RIF and Rohingya National Liberation
Party (RNLP) were working together in
the interest of the Rohingya people.
In 1973 the name of the Organisation
was changed to Rohingya
Patriotic Front (RPF), under the leadership
of late Mohammed Jafar Habib;
and served as a Central Committee
member in his various capacities,
including In-charge of Training
Centre, Secretary for Publicity and
Information and Secretary for Foreign
Affairs. In 1975 when substantial
quantity of youths and educated
Rohingyas who joined RPF went underground,
it was he who successfully
imparted them basic military training.
Almost all present day Rohingya
leaders got basic military training
from him. It will remain as a milestone
in the history of Rohingya freedom
movement.
In 1984 Shabbir Hussain became the
President of RPF. When RPF and a
faction of Rohingya Solidarity
Organisation (RSO) led by Nurul
Islam merged into a broad based
organization of the Arakan Rohingya
Islamic Front (ARIF), he was elected
as its Chairman, in the first Rohingya
National Council (RNC) convened in
1987; and he was elected Vice-
President in the next term.

It recalled me one instance from the history of Burma:
While the Burmese king Anawrahta(1044 - 1077)was ruling the Burmese people from Pagan the Mon king
Manuha was ruling the Mon people from Thaton, the than port city. An Arab ship was wrecked. And two young Muslim
brothers escaped from the jaws of the death with the help of broken planks. The abbot of the royal Buddhist monastery
found them at the seashore, took them to the monastery and adopted them. They were Byawi and Byatta. One day the
monk and the two Muslim brothers found a death body of a Muslim saint in the deep forest. The monk was furious
when he came to know that the death body of the saint [zawzi] was eaten by the two brothers. They grew up mighty with
the strength of fighting the elephants. The king was afraid of their strength and looking for a chance to kill them. He
had trapped Byawi as the daughter of the king’s Prime Minister was found in the arms of Byawi, Byatta escaped
to Pagan and took shelter at the court of the King Anawrahta. With the help of Byatta, King Anawrahta conquered
Thaton and Manuha was taken as prisoner of war. Byatta was married to a woman of Popa from where he had to carry
magnolia [sagawa] flowers seven times a day to the Palace at Pagan. He had two sons in the service of the king. With
their help the king won the battle with Chinese. On their returning journey from China, the two sons of Byatta, Shwe
Pyine Gyi and Shwe Pying Ngay were beheaded by the king Anawrahta because they refused to put bricks on the
construction of a Buddhist Pagoda as they were Muslims. It shows that from the very beginning the Burmese were
ungrateful toward Muslims.Anawrahta was killed by a mysterious mad buffalo.

AN ABSURD ACT OF DISCRIMINATION

Not a single Rohingya minister was inducted in the nine
member minister of Arakan State government though half of the
population of Arakan is Rohingya. It is an open insult to the
Muslims of Arakan.This is the new government’s new crime
committed to the Rohingyas of Arakan.Therefore we regret for
it.Morever we condemned for it. Before and during the elections
they promised many things and now they are doing nothing.
Sayagyi U Razzak was education minister in the cabinet of
Bogyoke Aung San`s provisional government. He was
assassinated along with Aung San. In U Nu`s government there
were always two Muslim ministers. They were U Rachid and U
Khin Maung Latt (Abdul Latif). During the Nu Tin government or
AFPFL (Clean) government U Rachid and Mr. Sultan Mahmud
were the Muslim ministers. And Mr. Sultan Ahmed, Mr. Abdul
Gaffer and Mr. Abul Basher were parliamentary secretaries
with the power of deputy ministers. Mr. Sultan Mahmud was
from Akyab (Sittwe) township of Arakan and was Health
Minister. Mr. Sultan Ahmed was a native of Maungdaw
township of Arakan, and served as parliamentary secretary from
1947 to 1958.Mr Abdul Gaffer and Mr. Abul Basher were from
Buthidaung township of Arakan. Sayagyi U Ka was Education
Minister of the Caretaker Government of Gen. Ne Win.
The British Burma Municipal Act was extended to Akyab on
1st October 1874. The committee was consisted of six officials
and five non- officials. This body was responsible for and
managed police, roads, hospital, conservancy, beggars and
water supply within the limit of the town. The committee as
newly constituted in 1882 was relieved of charges for police
and was entrusted with additional responsibilities and powers
in respect of schools, hospital, vaccination and similar charges.
The committee consisted of three officers - the Deputy
Commissioner was president, the Civil Surgeon was vice
president and the Executive Engineer - two members nominated
by the government and twelve members elected from the public:
European-2, Muslim-4, Buddhist-4 and Hindu-2. Thus the
British had given equal right to Muslims and Buddhists of
Arakan.
In the history of Arakan there were many Muslim prime
ministers, ministers, judges and high officials appointed by the
kings of Arakan. But the Muslims were neglected and ignored
by the Burmese military governments since 1962. They are
ungrateful toward the Muslims of Arakan in particular and the
Muslims of Burma in general.

Malaysian Govt Pressured to Suspend Detainee Exchange with Burm

In this photo, taken on July 23, 2009, Burmese detainees hold up their documents through a fence at the Lenggeng Immigration Center on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo: AP)

Malaysia should delay deporting Burmese refugees and asylum seekers until there is safety and job security in their homeland, according to Malaysian rights groups and the leading opposition party.
The calls came in response to a plan to exchange detainees reached between Kuala Lumpur and Naypyidaw earlier this month.
Under the deal, Malaysia will deport the 1,000 Burmese currently held at Malaysian detention centers, mostly for immigration offenses, while Burma will send back Malaysian detainees, Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein announced this week.
Lim Kit Siang, the chairman of the Malaysian opposition Democratic Action Party and a member of the Malaysian Parliament, said that the detainee exchange between Malaysia and Burma should be suspended until there is an assurance that refugees and asylum seekers will be protected from prosecution when they return to Burma.
“The agreement will only further jeopardize the dignity and security of Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia. Those who flee Myanmar remain at risk of persecution in all forms,” Lim Kit Siang told a press conference in the lobby of Parliament on Friday.
There are at least 340,000 Burmese in Malaysia, including more than 87,000 refugees registered by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Many belong to ethnic minorities and fled Burma for fear of forced labor, rape, violence, murder and persecution by the government army.
Speaking with The Irrawaddy on Friday, Agung Putri, the executive director of the Asean Inter-parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC), said that migrants come to Malaysia for different reasons, so the country should review the reasons the Burmese flee to Malaysia. She said many do not come for economic reasons, but because of systematic persecution in their homeland.
She said that Burmese refugees must be categorized differently from Indonesian and Cambodian migrants.
“We would like Malaysia to overthrow its policy, and suspend the exchange,” said Putri.
On Wednesday, a leading Malaysian rights group, Suaram, released a statement saying that the deal between Malaysia and Burma could result in some Burmese nationals being forced to return to a country "where their lives could be in danger."
Aung Naing Thu, an Burmese activist in Malaysia, told The Irrawaddy on Friday that the security of Burmese refugees and asylum seekers is at risk, and employment is uncertain for them if they are deported to Burma.
“Many of the refugees don’t want to return to Burma,” he said. “If they do go back, they have to worry about their safety,” said Aung Naing Thu.
Rights groups said that is a high possibility of persecution for those who are sent back to Burma.
The human rights situation in Burma, grievous as it remains, is unlikely to be able to ensure such protections, without which Malaysia cannot hope to fulfill its international obligations to ensure that human rights of refugees be protected, said the AIPMC in a statement.

Libya delays Gaddafi burial plan

 

 

                

 

It is believed Colonel Gaddafi and his entourage had been trying to flee Sirte

Libya's government has delayed Muammar Gaddafi's burial amid uncertainty about his final resting place and the circumstances of his killing.

Oil minister Ali Tarhouni said the body of the ex-leader may be kept "for a few days". Under Islamic tradition burial should take place as soon as possible.
It is unclear whether this will be in his hometown of Sirte, Misrata where the body was taken, or in the desert.
The UN is seeking an inquiry into Col Gaddafi's death in Sirte on Thursday.
Libyan authorities are planning a secret burial for ousted leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi following his capture and death, the BBC understands.
Meanwhile Nato is expected to declare an end to its Libya campaign in the coming hours.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the death of Col Gaddafi meant Nato's military intervention in Libya had reached its conclusion.
"Clearly the operation is coming to its end," he told reporters.
Questions mounting

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

Caroline Hawley BBC News, Tripoli

---

Authorities now have the dilemma of what to do with the body of Muammar Gaddafi, now in the town of Misrata where it was paraded in the streets on Thursday.
Disagreements appear to have broken out over what should be done with it. Under Islamic law Col Gaddafi should be buried within 24 hours of his death. Interim authorities want a secret burial but no decision has yet been taken on where it should take place - in Misrata, Sirte or out in the Libyan desert.
One official told the BBC that fighters from Misrata who captured the fugitive leader don't want to give up control over what happens to his body now.

The BBC's Caroline Hawley in Tripoli says the authorities now have to decide how to deal with Col Gaddafi's death and in particular his burial.

They have said they will conduct a secret burial and there is some speculation that they might even try to bury him at sea, as al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was buried, to prevent any grave being turned into a shrine, she adds.
Mr Tarhouni told Reuters news agency that Col Gaddafi's body was not going to be released from a morgue in Misrata for immediate burial.
"I told them to keep it in the freezer for a few days... to make sure that everybody knows he is dead," he said.
Asked about the burial arrangements, he said: "There is no decision yet."
Reuters also quoted an unnamed official as saying there was disagreement within the National Transitional Council (NTC) over what to do with the body.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

There are two videos out there, one showing him alive and one showing him dead and there are four or five different versions of what happened in between those two videos”

End Quote Rupert Colville, spokesman for UN human rights chief Navi Pillay

• Implications for Africa
• PJ Crowley on changing Mid-East
• Mid-East media on Gaddafi death

In a separate report, it quotes senior NTC commander Abdel Majid Mlegta as saying members of the colonel's tribe are in contact with anti-Gaddafi fighters to discuss the possibility of taking on the task of burying him.

Meanwhile, questions are mounting as to exactly what happened in Col Gaddafi's last moments following his capture.
Officials have denied he was executed.
Acting Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril said Col Gaddafi had been shot in the head in an exchange of fire between Gaddafi loyalists and NTC fighters following his capture in his hometown of Sirte
Video footage suggests he was dragged through the streets.
An NTC fighter told the BBC he found the former Libyan leader hiding in a drainage pipe and he had begged him not to shoot.
The fighter showed reporters a golden pistol he said he had taken from Col Gaddafi.
Call for inquiry Senior NTC member Mohammed Sayeh told the BBC he doubted that the colonel was deliberately killed, but added: "Even if he was killed intentionally, I think he deserves this."
He added: "If they kill him 1,000 times, I think it will not pay back the Libyans what he has done."
On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said there should be a full investigation into the killing.
Her spokesman Rupert Colville told the BBC that Col Gaddafi's death could have been illegal.
"There are two videos out there, one showing him alive and one showing him dead and there are four or five different versions of what happened in between those two cellphone videos. That obviously raises very, very major concerns," he said.
"People get killed in wars and that is recognised clearly in international law. On the other hand, it is also very clear under international law that summary executions, extra-judicial killings, are illegal."
UK-based human rights group Amnesty International called for "a full, independent and impartial inquiry" into the circumstances of Col Gaddafi's death.

Advertisement

As reports of Col Muammar Gaddafi's death spread thousands of people took to the streets across Libya

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an ally and friend of the colonel, told reporters: "They murdered him."
However, our correspondents say few Libyans are worried about the manner of their former dictator's humiliating end. Celebrations continued late into the night across Libya.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, said Col Gaddafi's death marked the start of a new era for the Libyan people.
The NTC is expected to formally announce the liberation of the country on Saturday in the eastern town of Benghazi.
Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that with the death of Col Gaddafi, an end to the alliance's involvement in the country "has now moved much closer".
"After 42 years, Gaddafi's rule of fear has finally come to an end," he said.

Advertisement

Jim Swire: "I think it would have been much better if he could have been kept alive"

Nato's seven-month campaign of air strikes was carried out under a UN mandate authorising the use of force to protect civilians in Libya.
Nato has carried out some 26,000 sorties and almost 10,000 strike missions.
Col Gaddafi, who came to power in a coup in 1969, was toppled from power in August. He was making his last stand in Sirte alongside two of his sons, Mutassim and Saif al-Islam, according to reports.
A body that officials identified as that of Mutassim has been shown on Libyan TV.
There are conflicting reports as to the whereabouts of Saif al-Islam.
On Friday he was reported to be fleeing south towards Niger, according to NTC commander Abdul Majid Mlegta.

Storm moved to Arakan and Teknaf Coasts

Teknaf, Bangladesh: The storm moved northeastwards and crossed Teknaf and Arakan coasts yesterday noon, according to a schoolteacher of Maungdaw.

A refugee shack was destroy by heavy rain in unregistered kutupalong camp

The storm was not to intensify further into a cyclone and move between Cox’s Bazar and Arakan coast, yesterday, said an official (weather department) from Cox’s Bazar.

In Burma side, especially in Maungdaw Township, some of the roofs of houses were destroyed and also destroyed paddy fields where the paddy fields were inundated by heavy rain.  For the farmers, the harvest time is coming near, so they are very disappointed for the impact of this storm.  It was blown 50 to 60 mile per hour, said a trader from Maungdaw north. 

Nearly 40 houses were damage by storm which was named 02B which crossed Akyab in the evening on October 19, according to the Voice of Weekly.   

In Bangladesh side, in Teknaf, there was a heavy rain accompanied by strong winds since 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, but in Cox’s Bazar till 6:00 pm. As a result, the height of the tidal water was raised up than normal tide. It caused some of the areas of Cox’s Bazar district were inundated and so the paddy fields were destroyed. Most the trees were up rooted, said Noor Ahmed from Teknaf.

The heavy rain and winds destroy some shacks from the Kutupalong refugee camp, where the shacks are made with bushes and plastics and the refugees are facing difficulty to stay in their shacks as it was not safe for winds and rain, said a refugee elder from the camp.

A refugee woman sitting inside damage shack in unregistered refugee camp

“We don’t know how to sleep tonight as heavy rain is going continues,” said Halima, a refugee woman who has three children.   

According to sources, some of the houses were destroyed in Cox’s Bazar district. About 50 fishing boats including rowing boat were sunk in the Bay of Bengal while they were returning to Shapuri Dip from Cox’s Bazar and missing 35 fishermen.

In Saint Martin Island, about 50 local tourists were stranded as the passenger ship was not able to berth to the coast of the Island because of big waves. About 100 fishing trawlers including rowing boats were destroyed at the Ghat ( port) of Saint Martin Island, and one of the boats was sank at the port which was loaded by sand and bricks, said Abdu Salam from Saint Martin.   

One child named Sadam Hussain (6), son of Mohamed Sharif, hailed from Zaliya Para of Shapuri Dip, Bangladesh was dead, at about 11:00 am, by falling a tree while playing in front of the house and wounded 4/5 persons, said deceased  father.

Rohingya celebrate Ko Min Ko Naing birthday

 














Tun Khin, the President, the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK) with ethnic  group at birthday celebrations for Min Ko Naing in London




Chittagong, Bangladesh: Rohingya with other ethnic groups in London celebrated Ko Min Ko Naing’s 49th birthday by honoring his sacrifices and his unwavering dedication to the people and the country on October 18, 2011 according to Tun Khin, the President, the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK)

 “The 49th birthday anniversary of the 88 Generation Student leader Min Ko Naing aka Paw Oo Tun, who is the former chairman of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), is serving a 65-year prison term in Kengtung Prison.”

“My birthday party should not be only for me; it should be a ceremony of remembrance for all. The location of a person is not important, only the doctrine the person embraces is important,” according to Ko Min Ko Naing’s family member which sent as birthday message from his prison cell.

“Many [student leaders] have still not been freed from their imprisonment. We will continue our struggle for their release,” Aung San Suu Kyi told supporters at birthday celebrations for Min Ko Naing in a monastery of Rangoon. “Why do I want the release of political prisoners? I want our country to become really free.”

“I will try to visit to my friends who are still in the prisons,” the Famous satirist Zarganar who plans to organize a group of actors and comedians to visit jailed dissidents held in prisons around the country, told at the Rangoon ceremony. “I would leave parcels for political detainees if I was not allowed to see them. They will be happy if they know that I have travelled to visit them in person, even though we cannot see each other.”

Ko Min Ko Naing was arrested in 1989 for participating in the student-led uprising. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison. He released in 2004 November and rearrested again in August 2007, with 13 other leaders of the 88 Generation Students for organizing peaceful demonstrations. In November 2008, he was sentenced to 65 years imprisonment, along with 22 others for their role in the August 2007 demonstrations. In 2008, he was transferred to Kengtung Prison in Shan State, where isolated, bleak cells were constructed in mid-2000 for solitary confinement, according to BROUK press released.

Ethnic groups join at the birthday celebrations for Min Ko Naing in London

“Ko Min Ko Naing had spent most of his birthdays behind bars. We pray and wish that the years when he can happily celebrate his birthday with his family, friends and colleagues come soon,” Tun Khin, the President, the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK).

“We are with our democratic leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi ,Ko Min Ko Naing and 88 generation students.”

“We are working with all ethnic groups and democratic groups in UK because we want to restore for the human rights and democracy in our country. We want to live with peace in our homeland of Arakan and want to restore our ethnic rights and citizenship rights.”

"If we, all ethnic brothers and sisters fight together, we hope we will win our freedom one day.”

“According to the information we have, political prisoners will be released in three batches. In the first batch, Min Ko Naing was not included, but Zarganar was included. We heard that Min Ko Naing will be included in the last batch,” 88-generation student Myo Yan Naung Thein said. 

The fate of political prisoners in Burma is a key concern of western governments that have imposed sanctions on the isolated nation.

Some observers have said the amnesty could be one of several by a regime that appears eager to end its international isolation but is wary of potential unrest.

129 prisoners released from northern Arakan, no prominent Rohingya politician

Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:24

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The new Thein Sein Government in Burma had announced an amnesty to release prisoners where 129 prisoners of northern Arakan were released from jail, but the prominent Rohingya politician U Kyaw Min is still remain in the prison, said a politician from Maungdaw.

“127 prisoners from Buthidaung jail, one from Kyaukpru jail and the last one from Thandwe after the  Thein Sein Government grant amnesty.”

“From Buthidaung jail, 7 prisoners are from Bangladeshi, 10 Rakhine community and the rest are all Rohingya community. But all are not political prisoners.” 

“Iqubal Hussain and Dil Mohamed were sent to jail by Maungdaw court with 10 year jail term for meeting a place which is not registered office of the Burmese Muslim Organization (BMO) Maungdaw under leadership of Mohamed Salim alias Than Htun.” 

“Salim and other BMO members are still remaining in the jail.”

Recently Thein Sein government released 6,359 prisoners on 12 October and but there were only 220 political prisoners. Almost 2,000 political prisoners still remain in prison, according to a watch dog from Maungdaw.

“The Rohingya prominent politician U Kyaw Min alias Master Shamsul Anowarul Hoque (Rohingya MP for NDPHR and member of Committee Representing People’s Parliament) and family members were not included in the prisoners released under the recent presidential amnesty.”

“U Kyaw Min had sentenced to 47 years imprisonment and at the same time his wife Daw Tiza, his two daughters Kin Kin Nu and Way Way Nu and his son Maung Aung Naing had also sentenced to 17 years imprisonment respectively.”

"U Kyaw Min(age 54), the representative-elect (MP) of Butheetaung Township constituency (1), belongs to the National Democratic Party for Human Rights (NDPHR) and a member of the CRPP, was detained on 17 March 2005, A statement was released by CRPP on last Union Day, in which U Kyaw Min took in active part. Besides, he met with ILO delegation, which visited Burma on 21st to 23rd of February 2005. He was sentenced to 47 years imprisonment on 29 July 2005. His wife, two daughters and a son were also sentenced to 17 years respectively. The junta banned the NDPHR under order No. 8/92 on 18 March 1992, and at that time U Kyaw Min was a member of the party's Central Executive Committee. U Kyaw Min received a Bachelor of Economics degree from the Rangoon Institute of Economics in 1968, and in 1969 he began working as a teacher. In 1983, he received a Diploma in Education and served as the Deputy Head of Buthidaung Township Educational Department. In 1985 he became a middle school principal but was dismissed from the position in 1989 because of his involvement in the August 1988 uprising. U Kyaw Min received 30,997 valid votes or 74 % in the 1990 elections," according to the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) which is serving as a government in exile with its headquarter in Washington D.C.(Source: http://www.ncgub.net/staticpages/index.php?page=MP-update-August2007)

Mentionable, after he joined the CRPP (Committee Representing the People's Parliament) in 1998 at the invitation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to represent the Rohingya ethnic minority, the main pro-regime party "NUP" (National Unity Party) also invited him to join NUP to support military backed national convention and to resign from CRPP. But he did not agree and this has caused serious wrath of the military rulers and the ultimate consequence was the handing of 47 years imprisonment, according to U Kyaw Min: An Imprisoned Rohingya MP without Citizenship by Ahmedur Rahman Farooq, dated February, 05.
The recent presidential amnesty for prisoners release program wants to show the genuine reform it should release all political prisoners and 88 Generation Student leaders, including Ko Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Ko Mya Aye. It is equally important that Reverent U Gambira, U Kyaw Min (Rohingya MP for NDPHR and member of Committee Representing People’s Parliament) and family members, U Khun Htun Oo (Shan National League for Democracy) and the rest of political prisoners must be released, according to Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) press release dated October 18, 2011.