Suu Kyi, Thein Sein in Bangkok next week

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein will both attend the World Economic Forum on Asia in Bangkok starting Wednesday. It will mark Suu Kyi first trip outside Burma in 24 years.

Aung San Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein after a meeting in Naypyitaw. In the background is a picture of Suu Kyi's father, Aung San, who is widely admired as the father of the country. 

Thein Sein is expected to attend the forum, said a spokesperson for the National League for Democracy. There has been no confirmation by the government that Thein Sein would attend.
The forum is expected to focus on issues affecting the 10-member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which together form an important strategic and economic region with a combined population of over 600 million people, a nominal GDP exceeding US$ 1.8 trillion, and a growth rate for the region expected to exceed 5 percent in 2012 despite ongoing economic turmoil in the Eurozone and the United States, according to the event’s website.
The Asean Economic Blueprint has established concrete targets to form a single market and production base by 2015.
To achieve this stronger linkages across Southeast Asia are needed to ensure a competitive and connected region, as well as to reinforce ongoing integration efforts.
The region’s connectivity will see a major acceleration in linking the region’s institutional and physical infrastructure, presenting unparalleled opportunities for investment and growth in areas such as the transportation network, energy, mobile health, tourism, financial services and agriculture, said the website.
At the same time, corporate and government decision-makers must ensure that the necessary risk response mechanisms are well developed to manage such issues as natural disasters, widening income inequality and resource scarcity.
As demonstrated by heavy flooding across the region last year, vulnerability to climate change has led to significant disruptions to the region’s production and supply chains and exacerbated socio-economic disparities.
Among the issues expected to be discussed are:

• How can the high economic growth economies of ASEAN help to rebalance both the global and the regional overall economic outlook?
• How will governments and institutions develop the financial policies to manage inflation, capital outflows, commodity price volatility and balanced growth towards greater domestic and regional demand?
• How will the region leverage its demographic dividend and technology base to develop the models to increase growth through innovation, improve talent mobility, entrepreneurship and skill building?

Nasaka collects money from Rohingya villagers in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma border security force (Nasaka) has been collecting money from Rohingya villagers in Maungdaw township since May first week while  crossing  Nasaka check-posts  and bridges with goods, said a business man who denied to be named.

“Every day villagers have to go to Maungdaw municipal market to buy and to sell goods. In the way to  Maungdaw or return with goods, Nasaka - Bridge security personnel- collects money from them at the bridges of --- Shwe Zarr, Labaw Zaar, Hlapoe Khung( Sarfordin Bil), Thu Oo Lah (Kullabil) and Ywet Nyo Taung--- of Maungdaw north. The Nasaka collect Kyat 300 per 50 kg bag of goods of any item and extra Kyat 1,000 per car.”

“As a result, the business men have to increase the price of essentials while selling to the local customers. If a villager wants to cross the said five bridges at once to reach at the market or his/ her home, he/she will pay Kyat 1,500 to the Nasaka only for 50 kg bag of any kind of good. So, the people have to pay extra money for the goods of necessary things.”

Besides, Rohingya villagers of Maungdaw north have to pay money to the Nasaka check-posts while carrying goods such as bamboo, rice, dried fish, stitched nipa leaves and other edible goods from Buthidaung Town to Maungdaw north villagers such as--- Zin Paing Nyar, Taung Bru, Thu Oo lah, Ywet Nyo Taung, Yai Twin Kyub (Yet Myet bil), Kyauk Hlai Khar (Dargua Dil), Hlapoe Khung( Sarfordin Bil), Labaw Zaar, Poung Zaar(Ashika Para), Kyauk Pyin Seik( Nari Bil), Myaw Taung( Salifang), Dah Gyi Zaar (Sauraw Gazibil) and Thayet oat (Mun Gala). All these villages have Nasaka check-posts which collect money from Rohingya villagers while travelling with goods from one place to another, said a village elder from the locality on condition of anonymity.  

“The Nasaka collects Kyat 500 per 50 kg bag, Kyat 500 per 100 bamboos, Kyat 2,000 per 1,000 stitched Nipa leaves, and Kyat 500 per person who has no identity card.”

Similarly, the Nasaka collect money from Rohingya at Bridges and check-post in Maungdaw south.So, the villagers have been suffering from stern arbitrary collecting money from their goods while carrying to market or home for their daily livelihoods, according to a schoolteacher from Aley Thankyaw village of Maungdaw south.

“There is no change and decades of persecutions by the government still exist and the government views Rohingya with suspicion. In northern Arakan, there is no future for us,” said an elder from inside Arakan.

"While the new government has engaged in a series of reforms toward democratization, there has been no real progress for the Rohingya, no change at the policy level and very little on the ground. Forced labor, marriage restrictions, restrictions on movement, and arbitrary arrests and extortion of money continue."

“If the arbitrary collection of money from bridges security and Nasaka check-posts is not stopped immediately, the local people will be more vulnerable in future.”

Nasaka is a combined force consists of army, police, immigration, custom and Sarapa (Military Intelligence), especially for Abakan State. They are free from higher authority’s punishment if they commit any kind of persecution against the Rohingya community.  The Nasaka is rewarded who frequently gives harassments to the Rohingya community.  They are especially trained how to destroy the whole Rohingya community in economically, socially, politically, religiously and educationally to flee from Arakan State, said another  business man from Maungdaw.

Rohingya nominates in 2011 US the Human Rights Defenders Award

Chittagong, Bangladesh: The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 Human Rights Defenders Award and the nominees all over the world where one Rohingya human rights activists included on May 18, according to Media note of Office of the Spokesperson, the U.S. Department of State.

Zaw Min Htut,  Rohingya Human rights activist living in Japan
“This year’s nominees came from every corner of the world. Common World and the Little Bird Mutual Assistance Hotline in China, as well as the Mutual Support Group and the Center for Legal Action in Human Rights, from Guatemala were nominated organizations, as were an impressive group of individual nominees: Jorge Molano of Colombia, Adilur Rahman Khan from Bangladesh, George Freeman from Sierra Leone, Govinda Prasad Sharma Koirala of Nepal, Swaziland’s Justice Thomas Masuku, Igor Kalyapin from Russia, Zarganar from Burma, and Zaw Min Htut, a Rohingya rights activist living in Japan.”

“The US Department of State has granted its 2011 Human Rights Defenders Award to Ales Byalyatski, the imprisoned chairman of a Belarusian human rights group called Vyasna (Spring) shared the award with Uganda's Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law.”

Two Burmese citizens - Zarganar and Zaw Min Htut - were selected in the nominees list. Zarganar was selected as rights activist from Burma and Zaw Min Htut alias Lukman Hakim as Rohingya rights activist from Japan.

“I had left my home country (Burma) in 1998 and joined Burmese Rohingya Association in Japan (BRAJ)-working for Democracy and Human Rights- in 1999 and became Secretary General in   2000. In 2001, I was elected as the president of BRAJ. I have been fighting Rohingyas legal status in Japan together with Japanese lawyers and Human Rights NGOs, Academician since 1999,” Zaw Min Htut told Kaladan Press Network (KPN).

“200 Rohingyas are living in Japan; among them more than 150 are with the legally residing. For the rest, we are still fighting from the legal point.”

“I wrote a Rohingya History book-let -"The Unoin of Burma and Ethnic Rohingya" in 2001 to expose the world about the Rohingyas true history and “Human Rights Violation and Discrimination on Rohingyas” wrote based on own experienced and eyewitness to expose the world community how Rohingya people are suffering under the tyrannical government.”

Zaw Min Htut alias Lukman Hakim was born from Rohingya family in 1972, Dodang Village, Maungdaw Township and graduated from Rangoon University in 1995. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) detained several weeks for participating in University student uprising against SPDC as a leading Human Rights activist  in 1996 while studying master course in University, said Maung Maung, a closed frind of Zaw Min Htut.

Creates disorder in village to press opposition in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: U Sein Aung, the Village Administration Officer of Oh-Daung village under the Maungdaw south by using devious means against his anti-group, extorting money and makes Rohingya villagers in terrified position recently, said one of the villagers who was released after paying money. 

“On May 1, said village administrator U Sein Aung killed a villager of Oh-Daung named Sayedur Rahman (37), son of Moktar Ahmed through his pro-local villagers namely Karim Mullah, Rashidullah, Hashim Ullah, Hashim and Abdu Shukur. They all belong to Oh-Daung village and the supporters of U Sein Aung.  There are two groups in the village, one group supports to U Sein Maung, the present village administration officer and the second group supports to ex-village chairman.  Therefore, each group tries to press other group whenever they get chance.”

Sayedur Rahman was U Sein Aung’s close agent and was also killed by U Seing Maung’s supporters to bottle up the opposition group led by ex-village chairman,  said a local elder from the village preferring not to be named. 

“After killing Sayedur Rahman, U Sein Aung accused nearly 20 innocent villagers in the murder case and arrested 7 villagers by police of Maungdaw Town. However, they were released after paying Kyat 500,000 to one million per each. Those who are not able to pay the money have been going into hiding after the incident. Even, their family members are not sleeping in their homes as every night; police from Maungdaw went to the village and try to arrest them.”

Sayedur Rahman was abducted from his house, at about 2:00 pm, and was brought to nearby a hill where he was killed by slitting. He has left his 4 children and his wife, said a close relative of the victim. 

U Sein Aung, the village admin officer is a Natala villager, originally from Sittwe who was settled Oh-daung north village. The Natala village has about 150 households.

This policy pushes Rohingya villagers into poverty line because they have to pay money to the concerned authority after selling their possessions such as --- gold ornaments or land to others with throwing price. Some villagers have to flee or hiding to avoid arrest and torture of concerned authorities, said a schoolteacher from the locality.

U Sein Aung makes this village into damage, destabilized the Rpohingya villagers, extorted money, and will compel the villagers to flee the village. This is the latest policy against the Rohingya community using by the concerned author, said a local youth.

Last two months ago, in Buthidaung Township, such kind of chaos made by army in two villages. Army from Ngakin Tauk battalion committed robbery in Zedon and Ngaran chaung villages, but some innocent villagers were accused in the robbery and arrested till now, 10 villagers are in Buthidaung jail.  It was clear that the robbery were committed by army, said an elder.

Bangladeshi police arrests 50-Rohingya in two days

Chittagong, Bangladesh: Bangladeshi police arrested over fifty Rohingyas from different localities on May 13-15 and sent to jail, said a local from the locality.

“The police of Chandanach police raided and arrested them from the Bottali area under the Chittagong zone.”

On May 13, police arrested thirty-five Rohingya from working places and houses where they live without documents of Bangladesh. The next day, over fifteen Rohingyas were also arrested by police, official said.

According to sources, among the arrestees, some lived with family members and others lived without families.

However, police has filed case against them in Chandanach police station and sent to jail yesterday.

My husband was arrested by police who serve us - three children and me- working as a daily labor. I don’t know how to survive of this family without him. I have no money to follow his case, said a woman from said area.

Some arrestees have been identified as Saber (18) Yunus (27), Ahesan (22), Yasin Arfat (22), Ismail (25), Jalal Hussain (37),Rafique (22),Yasin (18), Taher (22), Anayet Ullah (22), Sadek (23), Zahed Hussain (21), Nurul Hakim (24), Ali Ahamed (39), Md. Ayas (20), Hasan (21), Shahidul Islam (33), Abu Toyub (19), Reduwan (18), Idris (21), Md. Alam (20), Hafez Ahmed (19), Abdur Rhaman (20), and etc. They are belonging to different areas of Maungdaw-Buthidaung townships, Arakan State, Burma .

They crossed Burma-Bangladesh border because of persecution, movement restriction, forced labor, marriage restriction, arbitrarily arrest, jobless and human right abuses by military junta.

Two communities, two law in one city

Maungdaw, Arakan State: A sole agent for wheel taxes is playing between two communities with two types of law for collecting wheel taxes in Maungdaw, said a vehicle owner from Maungdaw.

“U Kyaw Zaw- a former intelligent serviceman from Khin Nyunt period- is a Rakhine community and the sole agent of Maungdaw to collect wheel tax from transport vehicle.”

The sole agent uses four gangsters to collect wheel tax from vehicles which run on the road of Maungdaw where two communities are living. The majority community is Rohingya and the minority is Rakhine.  Both community own vehicles for transport business for their survival, said a school teacher from Maungdaw.

“But, the sole agent collect 1000 kyat from Rohingya where only 500 kyat from Rakhine per day. Without sole agent period, the government –Municipal – is collecting only 100-200 kyat per truck/ bus per day.” 

“The tri-wheeler taxi has to give 6000 kyat per month from Rohingya but no tax for Rakhine community. The personnel using motorcycle has to pay 18,000 kyat where no tax for Rakhine. The Rohignya who use the motorbike only one week in the year must have to pay all year.”

The government is giving sole agent system in Maungdaw, by taking huge money from agent. The authority didn’t involve in their system. Whatever the agent want, he can do as per his wish. If anyone opposes the system, the police or security personnel took action against the person who opposed, said a politician from Maungdaw.

The authority –security personnel- are full favor of agent and whatever the agent want the security stand for agent. So, agent is likely the high officer in Maungdaw. The wheel tax agent harasses and discriminates Rohingya vehicles owners through his agent system. He is trying to destroy the business of Rohingya from his way, said a student from Maungdaw.

Arbitrary harassment to Rohingya villagers in Buthidaung

Buthidaung, Arakan State: Arbitrary harassments by army personnel of battalion No. 552 of Taung Bazar under Buthidaung Township, Arakan State against the local Rohingya villagers have been increasing since two months ago, said a local villager who did not identified his name for the security reason.

The Battalion No. 552 is situated at the border of Thanganet and Taragu village tracts near Taung Bazar , which was once the camp of Japan during the Second World War.

“Every Saturday, weekly market, at about 8:00 am, some  army personnel with groups,  go to the market and loot goods from the market goers and beat them arbitrarily when they meet on the way to the market. So, the villagers have to run away from the scene to avoid further harassment.”

When the armies reach in the market, they take goods from the shops which they like; while the shopkeepers ask the money, they are beaten instead of money, said a shopkeeper preferring not to be named.

Besides, sometimes, armies seize the motor bikes of Rohingya young people who went to the market without reason and brought to their camp. Later, the owners have to choose the seized bikes after providing many gifts and money whatever the army want.

According to sources, Rohingya people are not allowed to enter the tea shop by army when   the army is present in the shop. If some Rohingya people are present in the shop before the entering of armies, they have to get out immediately from the shop.

On the other hand, entering the neighboring villages, the army looted coconuts, plastic chairs, plastic sheets which were provided by UNHCR. Also, the army enters villages and hunt chicken from village with their catapult.

“A 12- year old boy said, “When I am going to market with two cocks to sell it in the market for buying rice, fuel, edible oil, some dried fish, and some vegetables. But, on the way, the armies take my cocks, so that I am not able to buy anything from the market.”

Every day, the village chairman has to send 10 villagers per ward from neighboring villagers to the army camp where villagers have to clear grasses, to make road, to carry water and to clean their pots, etc.

An old man aged 70-year old said, “On the way to market, my vegetables are taken by army, so I return to my home with empty.” 

Regarding the harassment by army personnel, Rohingya villagers are upset and disappointed. In future, some villagers will flee elsewhere to take shelter from the persecution.

Dhaka proposes Rohingya issue in OIC

Chittagong, Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni in her statement highlighted the issue of Burmese refugees- Rohingya refugee- being hosted in Bangladesh for the last two decades and put forward some concrete proposals to address the issues in the First International Ministerial Conference on Refugees in the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) - the Muslim World- began in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on May 12, according to a press release from the ministry.

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni
“The proposals include the requirement of international dialogue and engagement with non-OIC countries; addressing the root causes of protracted refugee situation; and strengthening the principle of international burden-sharing -- considering the shrinking global space for asylum and a growing trend of asylum fatigue.”

The Foregin Minister also mentioned that the refugee problem imposes disproportionately heavy burden on host countries, who generally belong to the under developed country category or least developed countries (LDCs) like Bangladesh.

The foreign minister underscored engaging the host countries in decision-making and gap analysis relating to refugee protection, and stressed that their financial and associated economic contributions should be accounted for in the “official” discourse on protection.

Urging the UNHCR to take the lead role, Dipu Moni opined that the OIC could be a political partner in that dialogue.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni May 13, urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) António Guterres to resume repatriation process of the Burmese refugees in Bangladesh on the sidelines of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministerial Meeting at Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, the press released said.

But, the Guterres opined that there might be some differences in understanding between the UNHCR and the government of the countries concerned about different aspects of Rohingya refugee problem.

“To clarify the issues, the Bangladesh government may consider sending a team to Geneva or the UNHCR may send a team to Dhaka,” Guterres said.

Dipu Moni preferred a latter option and requested the UN refugee agency chief to adequately sensitize the UNHCR Dhaka office to take necessary measures to resume the repatriation process that has been stalled since 2005.

The two-day meeting is the first of its kind under the aegis of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) where UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is one of the co-organizers according to a press release from the ministry.

Similarly, Department of International Relation of Chittagong University (CU) organized a two-day lectur session in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) sub-office in Chittagong to give the students a practical knowledge about the Rohingya refugees and their miserable condition, Chittagong University (CU)  on May 12, according to CU Department of International Relation’s statement.

Dirk Hebecker, head of UNHCR sub-office in Cox's Bazaar, was the key lecturer on the first day of the programme and explained about the origins of the Rohingya refugees of Bangladesh, their problems and challenges.

Fahmida Karim, an official of UNHCR Dhaka office, and Faridul Alam, chairman of International Relation department of CU, were also present at the programme.

Authority forces Rohingya students to use Form “4” for trip

Buthidaung, Arakan State: Burma’s concerned authorities still force to Rohingya students to use Form “4”, while trip to Sittwe University for study from their native townships, said a university student from Sittwe University who denied to be named. 

“The Form ‘4’ is normally used for foreigners while traveling from one place to another which is provided by immigration. But, Rohingya students have to hold this Form for travelling though they are the citizens of Burma.”

A student from Buthidaung said he/she must go to the local village administration officer first with his/her family list and student Identity Card to get recommendation letter from him that the student is living in the village. Sometime the officer asked 1000 kyat as a fee, said another university student who also preferred not to be named.

“After requiring the village chairman’s recommendation letter,  we have  to go to  Township immigration office, where we have to submit our family list ( original copy), student identity card ( photo copy),  money receipt from Sittwe University  ( photo copy),  National Identity card (photo copy),  original copy of village chairman’s  certificate,  an recommendation letter (photo copy) signed by three local elders which  certifies that  we are the native of the village and four passport  sized  photos. Then we have to make three copies of all documents and to submit it to the immigration office.”

“After 10 days, we are summoned to the immigration office and we will receive Form ‘4’ from the immigration office where we have to pay Kyat 1,000.”

“After obtaining all the documents from the immigration office, we are able to go to Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, about 80 miles away from Buthidaung town.  When we are at the jetty of Buthidaung for journey to Sittwe, the immigration of the jetty takes Kyat 1,000 from us.”

When the student reaches at the jetty of Sittwe from Buthidaung, a group of immigration from the State Immigration office will approaches to the student and asks him/ her to pay Kyat 2,000. After taking money, the immigration officer will sign a signature on the documents that the student has arrived at Sittwe.

Instantly, the student has to go to the State Immigration headquarters of Sittwe, where he/she will receive a document on which  entry is  sealed  and will also  receive a photo copy of  Form ‘4’.  He/she will pay Kyat 1,000 to the immigration office, said a first year student from Sittwe University.

“After getting this document, the student is able to stay at Sittwe for four months for study.”

“After 4-month, the student must return to his home. To return to his/her native place, the student has to go to the State immigration office again where the student has to surrender his photo copy of Form “4” to get original Form “4” from the office. After getting it, he /she is able to return to his home where he /she has to pay Kyat 1,000.”

“In return journey, he/she has also to pay money to the concerned authorities like first trip while way back home.”

Earlier, this extortion money is triple than the present money. After some upper parliament members of Maungdaw district approaching to the concerned authorities,   this money is reduced, said a local elder on condition of anonymity.

Students accompanied by their parents are disappointed and upset for facing difficulties for studding in university while the students of other minority groups are free from these difficulties, said a local teacher.

The whole Rohingya community will be more disappointed, upset and the illiteracy rate of the Rohingya community in future will be increased from the resistant rate if the policy of government is going on, said a politician from Maungdaw town not revealing his name.

ARNO President interview on recent situation of Rohingya and Burma

Mr. Nurul Islam, the president of Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO) based in London who had given an interview on recent situation of Rohingya after Thein Sein’s new government’s reform process towards the democracy.

Mr. Nurul Islam, the president of Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO)

KPN:  The Thein Sein’s new government held meetings with ethnic groups such as - Karen, Mon. Rakhine, Shan, Chin and Kachin--etc, but the government excludes the Rohingya community.  Regarding this, what is your opinion?

ARNO: The exclusion of Rohingyas asserts that U Thein Sein government has no change of attitude towards them. It is still pursuing policies of exclusion, discrimination and persecution against Rohingyas. We remind the government that Rohingyas are an integral part of the Burma’s society regardless of their appearance, ethnicity and religion.

KPN:    The Rakhine community has been campaigning against the Rohingya community inside Burma and abroad. Do you think that there will be any solution between the two communities, why?

ARNO: Rakhines are our immediate compatriots and they are our brothers. We had lived in Arakan peacefully in share and share alike. Still we are living in the same place drinking the same water and breathing the same air; not only so but we have to live together until the end of the world.  Arakan is our own whereas Burma is for all of us. Together we can achieve much. We should take lesson from the history. It is futile exercise to preach and promote hostility against Rohingyas. Extremism, xenophobia and confrontation will not be of assistance to Rakhine people. It is time not to dispute but to work in unison with full understanding which will lead our children to a state of extreme happiness.  Based on ‘Arakan reality’ peaceful coexistence between our two sister communities is the only solution. It is very much possible. They only thing we all need is ‘will to do’.  

KPN:    There are some changes  in Burma after the new government, but  no policy is changed over the Rohingya people and the persecutions  against the Rohingya community is going on bad to worst day by day. Regarding this, what is your comment?

ARNO: Yes, there are some positive changes in Burma. But so far no wind of change has touched the Rohingya people. It means that good sense does not prevail yet in the minds of the authorities. Nowadays the Rohingyas have to experience series of racist and xenophobic activities of the government and non-state extremists.  They are not treated as citizens and the persecution against them callous. End to persecution and discrimination against Rohingya is a yardstick for judging how far U Thein Sein government is sincere towards restoration of democracy and promotion of human rights in Burma. The government must genuinely accommodate ethnic Rohingya in country’s democratic and political process as one of the members of the family of the Union of Burma. A peaceful negotiated settlement of the Rohingya issue and problem is most urgent in the interest of peace and democracy in Burma.

KPN:     Regarding all the above situations, especially for the Rohingya community, what are your future plans and programs and what do you want to say to the present government, NLD and the international community?

ARNO: The primary factor that has led the Rohingyas to suffer grave human rights violations or crimes against humanity in Burma is their religion and ethnicity. Arbitrary deprivation of Rohingyas’ citizenship, rendering them stateless in their own homeland, is an international crime. We will continue our just struggle for freedom from servitude and oppression. We will work in solidarity with country’s democratic forces. We will explore all available national and international avenues for the restitution of our inalienable rights and freedom.

We wish to be responsible citizens of the country and urge upon the government to treat Rohingyas justly and reasonably well. It requires to genuinely accommodating Rohingyas as one of the many ethnic nationalities of the Union of Burma and treating them equals in Arakan. It is urgent that the repressive 1982 Burma citizenship Law in particular, which violates several fundamental principles of customary international law standards, must be amended in conformity with the generally accepted citizenship practices and provisions of international law. Rohingya should be legitimately allowed to be a part of the on-going political and democratic process, and their citizenship rights and ethnic rights have to be guaranteed on par with other ethnic groups of the country. 

We have high expectation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. But she has been, so far, surprisingly silent on the Rohingya issue, a problem of serious human rights violations in the country.  As a democratic icon we urge upon her to speak out for the voiceless Rohingyas on democratic principle and universalism of human rights.

Meanwhile, we call on the International community, UN, OIC, EU, ASEAN, UK, and Burma’s neighbours to put pressure on the ruling Burmese government to stop forthwith persecution against Rohingya and to grant their citizenship and ethnic rights. We also urge upon them to provide them with ‘international protection’ in the absence of ‘national protection’.

KPN:   What is your opinion about the participation of NLD parliament members in recently held parliament in Naypidaw, in Burma?

ARNO: It is a development in Burma politics that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD MPs are participating in Parliament Naypyidaw, although they are likely to face a difficult future to being about a complete change towards democratic reform.

Rohingya become landless, face starvation in Arakan State

Hussain (not his real name), 50, lives in Bogri Chang village-tract, Buthidaung, in Arakan State, western Burma. He and other Rohingya have been facing difficulty growing paddy and other essential crops because of confiscation of their lands by Burmese authorities.

Lands belonging to Rohingya villagers in Arakan State are routinely confiscated by the Burmese military

Hussain recently told Kaladan News that his lands were confiscated by Military Battalion No. 552 of Thanganet, under Taung Bazar area, Buthidaung Township, in June 2011.
“Seven out of our 32 acres of farmland were seized from me and my family by the personnel of Battalion No. 552.”
“After seizing the land, the military planted rubber saplings on our land without giving any compensation to us, even though there is plenty of wild land suitable for turning into rubber plantations.”
“I have eleven family members, including three sons and six daughters. My eldest son has just completed matriculation from Taung Bazar High School. However, I can’t afford to send my son for higher studies at Akyab (Sittwe) University because of our family’s financial situation.”

Hussain is a teacher at a local Islamic religious school (Madrasa), and he receives only 10,000 Kyat support from the Madrasa per month, which is not enough to sustain his family. The Madrasa is administered by local villagers, and there is little prospect that they will be able to increase the amount of support, he said.
“The authorities impose various kinds of restrictions on the Arakanese Rohingya, including restriction of movement. If anyone wants to go from one place to another, he/she needs to apply for a travel pass from the local Nasaka authority.”
Like Hussain, many Rohingya’s lands have been confiscated and handed over to make homes for Natala settlers, ‘model villagers’ who are encouraged to settle in northern Arakan State from other areas in Burma. The authorities also build Buddhist pagodas on the confiscated lands.
In the winter months, Rohingya farmers traditionally cultivate betel leaves on their lands in Bogri Chang village, but the captain of Military Battalion No. 552 has begun extorting Kyat 40,000 to 50,000 per acre from local farmers, said another villager on condition of anonymity.
If any farmer is unable to pay money to the captain, his betel farm will be destroyed by the army, the villager said.
Some of the betel farm owners who have lost their farmlands include Abu Sayed (50), Mohamed Siddik (53), and Hussain Ahamed (33). Their betel fields were destroyed during the third week of October 2011 because they were unable to pay money to the military officer. They all belong to the said village.
“Now, they are facing many difficulties to support their family members, as they have no alternative earning sources.”
“Besides, the streams or brooks where water comes out from mountain walls are also controlled by Army Battalion No. 552. During winter, some Rohingya farmers want to grow extra paddy, but they have no lands to cultivate because so much land near the mountain areas has been confiscated by the army. The military earns money by leasing these lands back to Rohingya farmers for Kyat 15,000 per acre.
Another Rohingya villager in Bogri Change named Nurul Haque (55) was the owner of seven acres of farmland, but all of his land was confiscated by the military in 2010. Currently, he is landless and very poor. He and his older children struggle to find ways to support the eight-member family, said a local elder who declined to be named.
“Just a few months ago, Nurul Haque’s eldest son went to a nearby mountain to collect firewood, but on his way home he was halted by military personnel who seized all of his firewood. So, his son could not sell it, and therefore had no money to purchase food, so all the family members starved that night.”
“Like Nurul Haque’s family members, many Rohingya people are starving because of the army.”
Rohingya minority people do not have citizenship status in Arakan State. They often lack access to basic public services, including health, sanitation, and education, sources said.
Between 1991 and 1992, over 250,000 Rohingya refugees arrived in neighboring Bangladesh because of religious and political persecutions, and other human rights abuses in their homeland, such as forced labor, restrictions on movement, marriage, and education, as well as land confiscation, arbitrary arrest, and extortion.
“We Rohingya hoped to get some concessions from Burmese authorities after the 2010 elections, including freedom of movement, access to medical facilities, education facilities, and the equal rights enjoyed by other ethnic groups,” a former Rohingya politician said in a recent interview.
The politician said that he is concerned about the future of the Rohingya in Arakan State as many forms of harassment and human rights abuses continue unabated more than one year after President Thein Sein’s nominally civilian-led government took office.

Why Rohingyas flee to abroad by sea route

Thirty year-old Ahmed (not his real name), is a Rohingya refugee. He and other refugees fled to Malaysia by the dangerous sea route frequented by Rohingya boatpeople, leaving from Bangladesh. They sought a better life after more than 20 years living in squalid conditions  in small sheds in Bangladesh refugee camps, with no official status with the UNHCR and Bangladesh authorities,
Ahmed was interviewed by Kaladanpress over the telephone from Malaysia.
“I lived with my parents and wife in a small shed at Nayapara, an official Refugee Camp under the supervision of the UNHCR and the Bangladesh authorities,” he said.
“I got married at Nayapara camp on the first week of November 2010. I left for Malaysia leaving my wife with my parents in the camp. I have no children.”
He said he and sixty- five boatpeople from Nayapara and Kutupalong camps left for Malaysia from Chittagong in the third week of October 2011 at about 11: pm.
“I gave 40,000 taka to a broker (agent) in Bangladesh to send me to Malaysia or the Thailand border.”
Amhed managed to raise this money by selling his wife’s jewelry.
He had been hopeful for a good life abroad for he and other refugees when the resettlement program was started by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2006. Unfortunately, the resettlement program was halted by the Bangladeshi authorities in 2010 for unknown reasons.
On the perilous journey out of Bangladesh they spent two days and two nights drifting in the Bay of Bengal, in Bangladesh territorial waters, because the boat engine gave them trouble.
The engine was finally repaired by a boatman who was one of the leaders among the  boatpeople, Ahmed said.
“We cooked rice ourselves in the boat, but we could not take a bath because of the salt water.”
They took rations for 7 days, such as rice, Sura (flatted rice), molasses, biscuits, dried fish, potato and water.
Unfortunately, they ran out of food after being buffeted by strong winds off the coast of Thailand and floated around for an extra 2 days.
After nine days, they reached the coast of Thailand at night. They stayed one night in the jungle but didn’t know the name of place. They didn’t have any food, Ahmed said.
“However, the next morning we were apprehended by Thai authorities and sent to a police station for questioning. Thai police gave us food at noon. We were kept one night in police custody,” another boatman said.
“Police asked many questions, especially why we left from Burma and Bangladesh.
We replied that the situation in Arakan State is not good. The Rohingya people can’t move from one place to another without travel passes, restrictions on movement, marriage restrictions, forced labor, arbitrary arrest, extortion and being denied citizenship rights by the military and government. The situation is also not suitable for us   in the Bangladesh refugee camps. The official refugee can’t go outside of the camp without permission. We faced arbitrary arrest, and were harassed by the camp authorities. So, we fled abroad for a better life.”
The next day they were handed over to Thai immigration which sent them back to Burma by boat, according to the boatman.
However, they were rescued by a fishing boat from Burma, which brought them to the Malaysia-Thailand border, at Badam Musa, a main border crossing into Malaysia, Ahmed said.

He and others crossed into Malaysia from the border after giving Taka 90,000 to a broker.
Ahmed’s troubles are not over, however. He can’t work openly for fear of arrest by the Malaysian government, because he is an illegal immigrant. He applied to the UN office at Kula Lumpur for refugee status, recently.
According to sources, many unofficial refugees from Leda (Tal) and Kutupalong makeshift camps also went to Malaysia.
A village elder from Arakan State said many Rohingya youths, between 13 and 20, went to Malaysia from  the villages of Myint Hlut and Aley Than Kyaw of Maungdaw Township, as well as other villages, by boat and  many boatpeople died in the Bay of Bengal  on the way.
The village elder also said the Rohingya people hoped the situation in Burma’s northern Arakan State would be changed after the 2010 elections. However, human rights abuses and discrimination are going on against the Rohingya people, so the situation is actually becoming worse day-by-day there. As result, Rohingya people continue to leave their motherland.
According to different sources, many Rohingya boatpeople were arrested by Thai authorities since August 2011. Mostly, they were released.
In 2007 and 2008, almost 5000 men and boys from Burma’s Rohingya Muslim minority landed on Thailand’s shores, prompting a change in policy to try to prevent such a large influx from occurring again. Revelation of the push-back policy, in which Thai authorities apprehended Rohingya boatpeople, then towed them back out on the open sea in secrecy, shocked observers. That inhumane treatment was brought to a swift end after  journalists, working with the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper, exposed what was happening.
Ahmed would like to urge the Malaysian government not to arrest oppressed Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities who left their motherland because of discrimination and human rights abuses against them by the military-controlled government in Burma. He also urges the UN to provide refugee status in Malaysia to illegal Rohingya people as early as possible, to guarantee  their safety.

USDP campaigns for next election in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The regional in-charge of Arakan state and two members of Parliament from Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) are going to organize the people of Maungdaw to support their party in coming next election at 2015 today, according to a politician from Maungdaw.

“The organizing group is Maung Oo, the regional in-charge of USDP  in western Burma's Arakan State and its two Parliament  members- U Aung Zaw Win and Htay win- who  arrived in Maungdaw yesterday at about 4:45pm from Akyab.”

“The organizing group went to the Alay Than Kyaw in the morning  today and returned back to Maungdaw where they held public meeting in Alay Than Kyaw in Maungdaw south and Myoma Kyayoungdan village in Maungdaw.”

In the meeting, “the people of Maungdaw are most persecution and more getting troubles in Burma. I understand your feeling and now I promised you that you will not feel as before. I, on behalf of USDP, will try to fulfill all your demand within 2015. If we are not fulfill your demand within this period, you will not support to us in coming next election,” according to U Maung Oo speech to the public.

“We will issue the National Identification Card -pink color card- to all who live here and we  will also remove the restriction on the building /repairing the religious building; marriage and movement. We will give to access the education on your qualification- medical, engineer and others which are not include in Akyab University,” U Maung Oo said in the meeting.

“How you identify to us, we prefer ourselves as Rohingya,” asked a participant in the meeting in Myoma Kyayoungdan village, but, U Maung Oo did not reply on this question, said an elder from Maungdaw who participant in the meeting.

In the other hand, U Htun Hla Sein ,the secretary of USDP Maungdaw office called all the members from Maungdaw on May 7 for discussion about visiting USDP organizing group to the town. He said at the meeting, Rohingya and Kala are not living in Burma. If you want more facility other ethnics, don’t use this word and follow the statement of government, according to a student who attend the meeting.

“Most of Rohingya especially young people left the meeting and the executive committee of USDP ( Rohingya) had tried to convince the young group who boycotted the meeting to say “Burmese Muslim” instate of “Rohingya”. The Rohingya community needs to enjoy with Rohingya ethnicity not Burmese Muslim.”

“We will not stay as a member of USDP if the party refused us as a Rohingya,” said a young student who is a member of USDP

Nasaka arrests, extorts money from Rohingya

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) arrested two Rohingya women and extorted Kyat 300.000 for release on April 30, in Maungdaw north, Arakan State, Burma, said a close relative from the locality on condition of anonymity.

“The Camp-in-Charge U Myo Than and three Nasaka personnel from Aung Mingala Nasaka camp of Maungdaw township accompanied by local village administration officer Dil Mohamed went to the house of Ms Lalu (alias) Ms Nurkis ( 45) of Maung Nama village of Maungdaw Township where the Nasaka arrested her with her nephew Ms Noor Banu (20), on April 30 at mid-night.”

“The Nasaka accused with allegation of not informing the concerned authority about visiting gust at her resident.”

“We had informed about Ms. Noor Banu’s visiting with her white card –issue by government to Rohingya community instate of pink card for Burmese citizen - to the village administration office, but the Nasaka asked for travel pass from village which is only 2 miles from the said village – Naribill  and Maung Nama village,”

There is no need to obtain travel pass from village as Nasaka Director Col. Aung Gyi passed an order of new travel policy- can travel without village travel pass within township, but need Identification Card (white card) - for Rohingya community while he met with  Rohingya leader on April 21, said a schoolteacher from the locality. “The accusation is only to extort money from Ms.Nurkis as her husband – Zawlil Ahmed - is working in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

“Nasaka and village chairman targeted the women whose husbands are in foreign countries. If the women are threatened by any means by giving any allegation, they (Nasaka) will get money from them.”

“The intention of the Nasaka and village administration officer is to extort money from them and to insult them if they get opportunity and wants to flee them from the motherland, said a village elder who denied to be named.

“Earlier, the Nasaka also committed such kinds of crimes, but the local concerned officers did not take any action against the culprits, so that these kinds of crimes can be increased in future and the Muslim Rohingya will become more and more victims and at last they will flee from Arakan to neighboring countries with unbearable persecutions.” 

“These kinds of occurrences make local Rohingya people demoralized and push them into poverty line. Rohingya people have to sell their property such as ---lands, gold ornaments and cattle--- with throwing price to fulfill the authority’s demand.”

After the new government of President Thein Sein, Rohingya people believe that arbitrary harassments against the Rohingya community by police, Nasaka and army will be decreased, but, increases day by day, said a local woman who preferred not to be named.

When connected the village administration officer, Dil Mohamed, the agent of Nasaka and U  Myo Than , the Nasaka officer, but no response.

Human trafficking control office extorts money in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Human trafficking control office has been going to extort money from Rohingya families whose beloved person is living in the foreign countries, said an officer from village administration office of Maungdaw.

“Police Inspector U Aung Saw, the head of the Human trafficking control office is always visiting the Rohingya villages where he forced the village administration officer to share the information about the families whose beloved person is living in the foreign countries to serve their family from those countries.”

“The human trafficking control officer  seized the family list of those beloved one live in the foreign countries with help of village administration officer and summoned the family head to his office situated in Myoma Kyayoungdan village of Maungdaw. “

The officer extorted money from those whose Rohingya families when he returned the family list. He demanded 100000 - 300000 kyats per family, said a school teacher whose son was living in Malaysia. “Sometime, he extorted  huge money from family when he know that family are rich.’

“The officer has no right to seize the family list and rights to inform to the concerned authority –Immigration- to follow the case which will file in the Human trafficking control office.”

The officers is only looking how to extort money from Rohingya community like other authority – Burma border security force (Nasaka), Police, Immigration and Military Intelligent- and he never informed to the concerned security force - Nasaka- about following trafficking case in the area, said an officer from Maungdaw.

“In Maungdaw, not Rohingya are going to foreign countries but Rakhine community also going to foreign countries. The officer only asked the Rohingy community not Rakhine community.”

“The officer has to follow the case to control trafficking and how the Rohingya left from tight security area of Maungdaw  by boat to Malaysia. The Nasaka security force is helping the Rohingya to operate the boat from Maungdaw through their agent by taking money. Why the officer is not going to ask the Nasaka area officer from where the boat people left?” said an elder from Maungdaw.

Rohingya in India seeks refugee status

Hundreds Rohingya men, women and children from Burma, belonging to Burmese Rohingya community – Muslim community- have made temporary sheds of polythene sheets by the rear compound wall of the UNHCR office in B-2 Block of Vasant Vihar in south Delhi since April 9, seeking refugee status, according to Mamoon Rafique, one of the protesters - originally a resident of Mangdaw district of Arakan region and now working as teacher in Jammu.

Mamoon Rafique, an asylum seeker in India

“The UNHCR officials are discriminating against us because we are Muslims. Non-Muslim asylum-seekers – Chin, Rakhin, Kachin and others - from Myanmar get their refugee status card within months or even days but we are being kept waiting for years. Instead of proper refugee cards, we are being issued cards which say that we are ‘asylum seekers’ and even this card is issued without our father’s name and address.”

“The UNHCR cards which were given to us were no use as we could not seek admission into any school for our children or get employment for ourselves while in India.”

“We will not leave here till we are recognized as refugees,” said Shamsul Alam, another protester

“I came from Maungdaw. I fled from the Burmese government’s human rights abuses and formerly lived in Bangladesh. Later, we moved to India because we believed that this is a democratic country with sympathy and peace, where we can take refuge. If we cannot live here as refugees, we want to go to another country where we can live as refugees.”

Hundreds Rohingya men, women and children of Rohingya community from Burma have made temporary sheds of polythene sheets by the rear compound wall of the UNHCR office in B-2 Block of Vasant Vihar in south Delhi

"We were issued an asylum seeker card in August 2011 by the UNHCR, but it deprives us from lot of facilities that a refugee would get. We want a refugee card. Our children need education, better living conditions like water to drink and toilets. But we are deprived of this as we don't have a refugee card," said Zia-ul-Rahman, a asylum seeker and now lives in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

"We don't use the term Rohingya - we refer to this group as Muslims from northern Rakhine state. In India, there is no national legal framework for refugees, and because of this there are different approaches to different groups of people," Nayana Bose, associate external relations officer UNHCR, told IANS.

"We have already registered around 1,800 Rohingya as asylum seekers In India and issued identity cards to each one. The card is similar to the refugee card as it helps to protect them from harassment, arbitrary arrest, detention and expulsion, and to prevent them from being forced back to a country where their life or freedom may be in danger," Bose said.

“As for right to health care and education, this is available for everybody. They can access free education at government schools.”

However, the UNHCR officials say that they discussed the issue with the refugees four to five times, but were not persuaded by their arguments and will meet 10 representatives of the community again on May 20.

Around 10 to 15 thousand Arakanses Muslims - Rohingya community - are living in different parts of India at present where some of our people are incarcerated in Andaman jail, according to Mamoon while interview to Milli Gazette.

“We are on the edge of starvation due to the apathy of UNHCR towards our plight. We are living on the food offered to us by the local Muslims from across the road and are deprived of basic amenities and medical facilities.”

Strong wind and heavy rain left hundreds of refugee homeless

Kutupalong, Bangladesh: More than hundred huts had been destroyed by a strong winds and heavy rain from unregistered refugee camp of Kutupalong on May 4, according to Huseein, an elder from camp.

Strong winds and heavy rain destroyed the refugee hut in unregistered Kutupalong camp

“The winds and heavy rain started from 9:00am to 11:00am which destroyed most of refugee huts’ roof and some whole huts.”

“The disaster had left nearly 150 people from 15 huts become homeless. The people have no shelter to stay at night. They just put plastics and woods for rain to stay.”

Five schools of Home Education program was totally damaged where the students were shifted to another places for teaching the students, said Mohamed Syed Noor who is a parent of a student.

“The schools lose its roofs while strong winds blew out in the morning and its floors and walls fell down during the heavy raining.”

“There are more than ten schools were little damaged while strong winds and heavy raining. The schools of roofs had been blown away and if rain will again start, the school will face to be damaged and will not able to teach.”

“We need to repair the schools, otherwise we will face difficult to teach the class in the raining period,” said a teacher from the program.

On the other hand, a well-wisher of Home Education program distributed jerseys to all students before the raining. All the students were happy when they received the jerseys, according to a committee member from the camp.

2014 Census in Burma must be universal and inclusive of Rohingya : Rohingya organizations

Chittagong, Bangladesh: Several Rohingya organizations had made a call for the 2014 census in Burma to be universal and inclusive of the Rohingya people on May 5, according to their joint stamen.

The statement was released by the Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO), Burmese Rohingya Organization, UK (BROUK), Burmese Rohingya Association Japan (BRAJ), Burmese Rohingya Community in Australia (BRCA), Burmese Rohingya Community in Norway (BRCN), Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand (BRAT) and Burmese Rohingya for Democracy in Burma (RLDB).

“Recently the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA) has agreed to support Burma’s proposed 2014 population and housing census,” according to the Rohingya Organizations statement. But, “Rights groups worry that if not conducted properly, the census could marginalize minorities such as the Rohingya or those living in one of Burma's many conflict areas.”

The Burma Ministry of Immigration and Population and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) April 31, held a forum on plans for Burma's 2014 Population and Housing Census, was participated by lawmakers and members of the National Commission on Population and Development in Nay Pyi Taw, according to the press release of forum.

U Khin Yi, Chairperson of the National Population and Development Commission and the Union Minister of the Ministry of Immigration and Population told the forum that a successful census will require "broad and effective partnership" involving various government sectors, parliamentarians, civil society, the private sector and international organizations.

“Since 1983 –within 30 years- this is first whole Burma Nationwide Census would be conducted in 2014 which will be organized and being prepared by Central Census Committee.”

Last October Notification enlisted Burma Population 60.38 million by assessments from 24 Townships in Sample counting. “1998 - 2006 Population increase rate 20.02, we calculated.”

In an effort to deny Rohingya’s existence in Burma:- the Immigration Ministers U Khin Yi accused the Rohingyas of being illegal Bangladeshi immigrants; the Chief Political Advisor to the President U Ko Ko Hlaing confirmed that the restriction on their (Rohingyas’) freedom of movement is necessary from so-called  national security perspective; and the Director General of Burma’s Department of Population Myint Kyaing lied in a proud manner,  “we have no stateless people in Myanmar and there is no Rohingya in Myanmar as well, because no Bengali people are residing in Myanmar," according to the Rohingya Organizations joint stamen.

"No true census has ever taken place in Burma, and great injustice has been done to the ethnic Rohingyas.”

"We, therefore, urge the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), United Kingdom, USA, European Union, ASEAN and Myanmar’s neighbors to put pressure on the Myanmar government to genuinely include Rohingya as a ''national race'' in Myanmar''s proposed census," the statement said.

The statement said due to persecution, an estimated 1.5 million Rohingyas have taken refuge in Bangladesh and other countries.

To ensure the census is universal and "inclusive of all national races", the statement said the oppressive 1982 citizenship law should be amended in conformity with international conventions, and international custom and principles generally recognized with regard to nationality.

In addition, it should be brought in line with the principles embodied in the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness of August 30, 1961.

"Suitable arrangements should also be made for the inclusion of all Rohingya and other Burmese diasporas," the statement said.

The Central Census Committee Chairperson U Maung Maung Swe said: "Data obtained from the census will be linked to the national planning." , calling on all stakeholders to cooperate in undertaking the 2014 census where the UNFPA Representative Mohamed Abdel-Ahad  said " Censuses generate accurate information on population growth and help to estimate current and future needs, including needs for schools, teachers, hospitals, doctors, nurses and employment opportunities, housing, and social security and safety nets."

No money, no bury in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Two Rohingya dead bodies -struck by thunder- were not allowed to bury by police without paying money to them on April 21 in Maungdaw Township, according to village administration office member.

“Ms.Tahera Begum, 48 and Ms.Formina Begum,14 hail from Mutee village of Theechang (Balu Khali) village track under Taungbro , Maungdaw  Township, were  struck by thunder (lightning)  while working in their chili cultivation field near the village and died in the spot on April 21 at about 10:30 am.”

“But, U Kyaw Win, the assistant police inspector from Theechaung police outpost, went to the victim house with Theechang village administration officer U Abdul Rashid at about 12:00 noon on that day and the police officer asked 100,000 kyats to give permission to bury the dead body in the village.”

The two females are mother and daughter of U Nurul Zawman, a poorest family in the village. The police officer had pretended to take dead body to the morgue for autopsy as Nurul can’t able to pay the money to the police officer. But, the villagers collected the money from village and gave to the police officer for burying the dead body in the village graveyard, said a closed relative of Nurul. 

One of Nurul’s daughter- Rozena Begum, 15 month old was  also seriously injure for thunder and now she has been taking medical treatment in the Taungbro clinic.

“The police in northern Arakan need money from Rohingya community and they are watching how to extort money from any accident which is naturally or manmade,” said a teacher from that village.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi sworn in to parliament

Suu Kyi stood to read the parliamentary oath in unison with other members of her NLD party 

 

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's pro-democracy leader, has taken the oath of office to become a member of Myanmar's parliament during a swearing-in ceremony in the capital, Naypyidaw.
Wednesday's event marks a historic development for the country and for the Nobel laureate who waged a two-decade struggle against its military government.
The oath, taken in front of lower house speaker Shwe Mann, states members will "safeguard and abide by the Constitution of the Union" and "hold always in esteem (the) non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty".
Speaking briefly to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, Suu Kyi said her focus will be "to carry out our duties within the parliament as we have been carrying out our duties outside the parliament for the last 20 or so years".
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy [NLD] swept by-elections on April 1, but its successful candidates initially refused to take their seats because of a dispute over part of the oath relating to the constitution.
The NLD had refused to take the oath to "safeguard the constitution". Instead, it wanted to swear to "respect" it.
The party backed down on Monday and said its politicians would swear the oath, but said it still disputed the wording and wanted to amend a constitution that it says is undemocratic and gives wide powers to the military.
"We've always believed in being flexible throughout the years of our struggle because that is the only way in which we can achieve our goal without violence," Suu Kyi told a news conference in Yangon on Tuesday.

"I don't think flexibility will be a new concept for us."
The dispute with the ruling army-backed party over the oath raised fears for a delicate detente with President Thein Sein, a former junta general who has overseen a year of sweeping reforms in the resource-rich country.
Suu Kyi's entry into Myanmar's political system comes after years of resistance to the army's attempts to enshrine its grip on power.
While Suu Kyi and many of her supporters were in detention in 1990, her NLD swept general elections that year, but instead of handing over power to political leadership, the army banned her party.
The NLD walked out of the military's constitution-drafting process in the mid-1990s.
Suspicion
The party boycotted a general election in November 2010, when Suu Kyi was still under house arrest, saying the poll was rigged in favour of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

The USDP won an overwhelming victory, but a new government under President Thein Sein embarked on political and economic reforms and he persuaded Suu Kyi to enter the political process.
In response to the reforms, Western powers that for years isolated the country over its human rights record, driving it into close ties with giant neighbour China, have begun to lift sanctions.
Suu Kyi, the daughter of the leader of Myanmar's campaign for independence from British rule, will take up her seat alongside uniformed generals and scores of retired military men in the USDP.

But there is deep suspicion on both sides and friction could be looming.
The NLD won all but one of the 44 seats it contested in last month's by-elections after a campaign in which Suu Kyi made the amendment of the 2008 constitution a central theme.
The charter gives the military wide powers, including the ability to appoint cabinet members, take control in a state of emergency and occupy a quarter of seats in parliament.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was in Myanmar this week for talks with government leaders and Suu Kyi, praised the president as a visionary leader and welcomed Suu Kyi's decision to take her assembly seat.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who met Suu Kyi last week, also welcomed the NLD's decision and said it could now get to work on the country's problems.
"The important aspect from our point of view is to have her and other parliamentarians from the NLD in parliament," Ashton told a news conference in Bangkok on Tuesday.
"In terms of the constitution, I think this is for them to work out now that Aung San Suu Kyi has come in to parliament."

UN chief holds talks with Suu Kyi in Myanmar

Ban Ki-moon praises pro-democracy leader's decision to join country's parliament after agreeing to swear oath of office

Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, left, met with Myanmar president Thein Sein on Monday

 

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has met with Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for talks about the country's political future after a surprise climb down by the Nobel laureate in her boycott of parliament.

The discussions at the opposition leader's lakeside mansion in Yangon on Tuesday, where she was locked up by the former military junta for much of the past two decades, came a day after Ban became the first visiting foreign dignitary to address Myanmar's legislature.

It is the first meeting between Suu Kyi and Ban, who left frustrated after a previous visit in 2009 when the generals who ruled the nation for decades refused to allow him to see the veteran activist while in detention.
On Monday, Suu Kyi decided that she and other politicians in her National League for Democracy (NLD) party would attend the country's parliament on Wednesday for the first time to take the oath of office.
NLD politicians had refused to pledge to "safeguard" the constitution, stating they wanted that word replaced with "respect," a change made in other Myanmar laws.
"We have decided to comply at this juncture, because we do not want a political problem or tension," Suu Kyi said, ending the first rift with the government since she won a parliamentary seat in historic April 1 by-elections.

"The reason we accept it, firstly is the desire of the people," she said. "Our voters voted for us because they want to see us in parliament."
Ban welcomed Suu Kyi's announcement and told reporters he respected her decision.
"She is a strong and dedicated leader of this country," he said, standing by Suu Kyi's side at a newsconference after their meeting. "I'm sure that she'll play a very constructive and active role as a parliamentarian."
The UN chief said he had invited Suu Kyi to visit the UN headquarters in New York.
Suu Kyi has said one of her priorities as a politician is to push for an amendment of the 2008 constitution, under which one quarter of the seats in parliament are reserved for unelected military officials.
'Leadership and courage'

On Monday, following talks with President Thein Sein, the UN chief had paid tribute to Suu Kyi and the NLD for participating in the recent by-elections during a landmark speech to parliament.
"For many years you displayed resilience and fortitude that for generations have distinguished the Myanmar people," he said.

Aung San Suu Kyi and Ban Ki-moon met in the democracy activist's home in Yangon

Ban also hailed the "vision, leadership and courage" of Thein Sein, who has ushered in a slew of reforms in the last year including welcoming Suu Kyi's party into the mainstream and freeing political prisoners.
Ban is the latest in a string of top foreign visitors to Myanmar amid a thaw in the army-dominated nation's relations with the West.
The UN chief welcomed moves by the international community to reward sweeping changes in the country since the end of direct army rule last year, and called for the West to go further in easing or lifting sanctions.

Last week, the European Union responded to what it said were "historic changes" by suspending for one year a wide range of trade, economic and individual sanctions, although it left intact an arms embargo.

Canada and Australia have also recently eased punitive measures and Japan waived $3.7bn of Myanmar's debt.

But the US last week ruled out an immediate end to its main sanctions on Myanmar, saying it wanted to preserve leverage to push the leadership on an end to ethnic violence, which has marred the country's reform image.