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.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.
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About Me
- The Voice Of Rohingya
- Maung daw, Arakan state, Myanmar (Burma)
- I am an independent man who voted to humanitarian aid.