Date: 02/07/2012

Joint Statement:

Apartheid against Rohingyas in Arakan should be a concern of international community

The undersigned organisations have strongly condemned the Rakhine National Development Party (RNDP) for revitalizing ‘apartheid’ in Burma against the Muslim Rohingyas of Arakan.

In its statement dated 26 June 2012, the RNDP has dubbed the entire ethnic Rohingyas ‘illegal Bengali intruders’ and urged the people and Government of Burma, inter alia, “to segregate Rohingyas from the Buddhist Rakhines in every town and village of Arakan by relocating them in separate areas away from Buddhist Rakhines’ localities”. It has further demanded “to resettle the non-national illegal Bengalis in third countries within a fixed short period of time through negotiation with the United Nations and international cooperation.”

Joint Statement by Rohingya organisations:

Dated: 18 May 2012

Rohingya welcome Indian Government’s decision and request to grant official refugee status to Rohingya asylum seekers

The undersigned Rohingya organisations have welcomed the decision of the Indian government to grant long-term visas to the Rohingyas. The UNHCR called it “a huge step forward for their protection and safety in India”.

Joint Statement by Rohingya organisations:

Dated: 05/05/2012

2014 Census in Burma must be universal and inclusive of Rohingya

Recently the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA) has agreed to support Burma’s proposed 2014 population and housing census. 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.’

No true census has ever been taken in Burma, and great injustice has been done to the ethnic Rohingyas. The government of U Thein Sein is beyond exception. His current wind of change has not touched the Rohingyas yet. Rather racist and xenophobic plans have been patronized and projected against them.

ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION

ARAKAN, BURMA

PRESS RELEASE

(24 April 2012)

ARNO welcomes European Parliament Resolution on Burma

Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) has welcomed the European Parliament resolution of 20 April 2012 which calls for changes to the 1982 law on citizenship to ensure due recognition of the right to citizenship of the Rohingya ethnic minority in Burma; for the release of all political prisoners without delay and conditions, and access of ICRC and international human rights bodies to Burma’s prisons; to introduce amendments to the 2008 constitution; to guarantee free and independent media; to initiate legal reforms in order to ensure a truly independent and impartial judiciary and to establish process of justice and accountability for past human rights abuses. The whole Rohingya people feel encouraged by this resolution.

ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION

ARAKAN, BURMA

PRESS RELEASE

(03 April 2012)

ARNO Congratulates Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD

Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) has welcomed the results of the by-election that took place in Burma on 1st April 2012. We congratulate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and National League for Democracy for a resounding victory in this by-election, a key test of political reforms in Burma.

ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION

ARAKAN

(12 February 2012)

Statement of ARNO on the 65^th Anniversary of the Burma Union Day

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Union Day Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) states as follows:

1. 65 years ago, on February 12, 1947, the Panglong Agreement was signed between Gen. Aung San and leaders of the several ethnic groups in Panglong, Shan State. It was an epoch-making event in the history of Burma. The national leaders of both the Burman majority and ethnic nationalities of Burma committed themselves, for the first time, to achieve the country’s national sovereignty through the pure spirit of national unity, equality and fraternity. The history of Burma would have developed differently if there was no Panglong Agreement.
   

The below-named Rohingya organisations strongly disapprove the statement, dated 14 January 2012, of the Burmese Home Minister Lt. General Ko Ko where he said, “the 13 persons arrested form Arakan border last year, for having connection with Taliban and taking explosive training, will be further detained.”

ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION 
 ARAKAN

(17th January 2012)

Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) heartily welcomes the written Ministerial statement, dated 16 January 2012, of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, on the visit of Foreign Secretary William Hague to Burma on 5-6 January. “It was a historic visit; the first by a British Foreign Secretary since 1955”, the statement said.

ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION 
ARAKAN

(13th January 2012)

Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) today welcomes the release of a considerable number of key political prisoners in Burma, including members of the 88 Generation Student group. ARNO further welcomes and appreciates the release of U Kyaw Min (alias) Shamsul Anwarul Haque with his wife and two daughters.

ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGASIZATION, ARAKAN, BURMAA

(12 January 2012)

It is encouraging that the new civilianized government of U Thein Sein is showing signs of change in Burma, until now, making some mild reforms while promising more.  British Foreign Secretary William Hague paid a two-day official visit to Burma on 5 January 2012. From 30 November 2011, the US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had also completed a two-day historic trip to Burma.