Press Releases
Press release – US and Security Council Members Step-up Pressure on Myanmar
Representatives for the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) have completed a two-week advocacy tour to the United States and United Nations, to galvanize international action to end the Rohingya genocide and ensure a sustainable, voluntary and protected return home for more than 1 million Rohingya refugees forced from Myanmar.
ARNO chairman Nurul Islam joined by Dr. Hla Myint, chair of the ARNO Foreign Relations Committee, who is also President of the Rohingya Intellectual Community Australia, and Honourable Philip Ruddock, Australia’s former Attorney General and Human Rights Envoy, on the margins of UN General Assembly week to urge the international community to step-up pressure on Myanmar’s military and civilian government, which were failing to make the necessary headway to implement UN resolutions and recommendations of the international community and world leaders, including the recommendations of the Annan Commission report. Speaking after the visit, Mr. Islam welcomed the support shown by the international community, and advocated greater urgency to ensure credible progress on the ground:
“We came to the United States and the United Nations with a clear message: In the face of genocide, there is no time to wait. Much more must be done to support the Rohingya’s calls for justice, dignity and a safe, voluntary and protected return home. Conditions on the ground are worsening—both inside Myanmar and in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar. Victims are increasingly impatient to see perpetrators of genocide and war criminals held to account. At the same time, Myanmar continues to waste time with sham reforms, and shows zero will to create the conditions needed to solve this crisis”.
Press Release: ARNO welcomes the Human Rights Council’s resolution on Myanmar and calls for further action towards full accountability
September 28, 2018
ARNO welcomes the UN Human Rights Council’s landmark resolution on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. The Council calls for the establishment of a new impartial and independent mechanism (IIM) to collect, preserve and analyse evidence of the most serious international crimes and violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011. In parallel, the extension of the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission is key to ensuring continuity of action until the IIM is established.
Press Release: The ARNO supports the efforts of Solicitor Daniel Robert Taylor in pursuing efforts to prosecute Aung San Suu Kyi
September 10, 2018
The ARNO supports the efforts of Solicitor Daniel Robert Taylor in pursuing efforts to prosecute Aung San Suu Kyi for various crimes under international criminal law. The Solicitor filed a summons in March 2018 seeking to charge Aung San Suu Kyi with crimes against humanity for forcible deportation of the Rohingya of Myanmar. However, the Attorney General of Australia refused to consent to the prosecution. On October 3rd a hearing will be held regarding this matter.
Press release – ARNO welcomes the Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar
The Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO) welcomes the Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar. The report acknowledges the continued and “systematic oppression” of the Rohingya people, the complicity of Myanmar Security forces and other actors in the continued violence that precipitated and directly caused the events of August 2017, in addition recognizes genocidal intent exists to warrant an investigation and prosecution of military officials within Myanmar.
The ARNO welcomes the recommendations made by the Mission which emphasizes the need for pursuing justice for genocide and crimes against humanity in addition calling upon state parties to engage Myanmar to change these practices which are a direct violation of international law.
In This Issue:
- Editorial: Myanmar’s Federal Vision Hinges on Rohingya Inclusion
- Myanmar’s Draft Law and Women Under Arms
- Independence Promises and the Systematic Stripping of Minority Rights in Myanmar
- The Arakan Army’s Divide-and-Rule Tactics Against the Rohingya
- Rohingya Security and Peace in Rakhine
- IIMM Shares Evidence of Crimes Against Rohingya with International Courts
- Dhaka Declaration: Rohingya Speak with One Voice
- A Mosque Reopens in Maungdaw but What Does It Really Mean?
- Rohingya Women are Forced into Arakan Army Ranks
- On the 8th Anniversary of the Rohingya Genocide the Crisis Continues, the World Must Act
- ARNO Expresses Concern Over Crisis Group Report’s Misrepresentation of Rohingya Realities
- Eight Years On, Genocide Against Rohingya Persists
Latest News
Press Release: ARNO Condemns Derogatory And Racist Remarks Of Minister Thura U Aung Ko
In a funeral of Buddhist monk on 27th November, Myanmar Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko had desecrated Islam labelling it extremist religion and insulted the Muslims accusing them of marrying 3-4 wives, at a time, and producing 15-20 children. He senselessly said the Buddhists will become a minority in Myanmar within 30 to 50 years.
On December 4, when asked by reporters in a conference in Nay Pyi Taw to clarify what his remarks on Islam and Muslims meant, U Aung Ko said,
“The other major religion I have specifically meant is the religion of Bengalis who have fled from Northern Rakhine State, not the country’s Muslims. In refugee camps, Bengali youths are indoctrinated to march to Rakhine State and Myanmar. The future design of the Bengalis is to invade Myanmar as they are living in severely overcrowded conditions. Even now they are demanding territory like Safe Zone, then they will ask for No-Fly Zone. Again, full security must be guaranteed to them under the supervision of UN and OIC, not the Myanmar government. Bangladesh does not want a decrease in Bengali population in Rakhine State. Refugees are being organized to invade Rakhine State. In the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested international assistance for one million refugees, but it is being consumed and distributed among them…”
ARNO Statement to the 11th UN Forum on Minority Issues
30 November 2018
Madam Chairperson,
My name is Nurul Islam. I am Rohingya. I am Chairman of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO). I was born in Muangdaw township of Rakhine State, in a country then called Burma and now called Myanmar. From the birth of the State on January 4th, 1948, my people have been nationals of Burma now Myanmar. We were loyal participants in the national political processes, for which we had recognized Political Parties and, until 2015, we voted in elections. We have not and do not seek to separate from the Union of Myanmar. Unfortunately, my people have been subjected to systematic persecution for half a century including the steady suspension of almost all our human rights, including freedoms to marry, have children, education, movement and so much else. In addition to the violation of our human rights, we have been subjected to the effective withdrawal of our citizenship. Ultimately, we have been subjected to the destruction of our community – to genocide.
Press release – Myanmar, not Bangladesh, is responsible for failed repatriation
Press release 20, November 2018
On behalf of the Rohingya people, we would like to express regret and disgust at Myanmar’s policy of continuously blaming Bangladesh for the failure of repatriation of Rohingya refugees. As we all know, the ground reality in Arakan (Rakhine) State makes repatriation of Rohingya refugees impossible as the brutal state machinery continues their genocide of the defenceless Muslim community, a policy in place for more than half a century. The sad truth is that Myanmar government has no intention of creating condition for sustainable repatriation and is responsible for failed repatriation and deserving of blame. We strongly condemn it.
Pence issues sharp rebuke to Myanmar’s Suu Kyi over ‘persecution’ of Rohingya
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence expressed the Trump administration’s strongest condemnation yet of Myanmar’s treatment of Rohingya Muslims on Wednesday, telling leader Aung San Suu Kyi that “persecution” by her country’s army was “without excuse”.
Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence hold a bilateral meeting in Singapore, November 14, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Pence also pressed Suu Kyi to pardon two Reuters journalists who were arrested nearly a year ago and sentenced in September to seven years in prison for breaching the Official Secrets Act.
Press release – US and Security Council Members Step-up Pressure on Myanmar
Representatives for the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) have completed a two-week advocacy tour to the United States and United Nations, to galvanize international action to end the Rohingya genocide and ensure a sustainable, voluntary and protected return home for more than 1 million Rohingya refugees forced from Myanmar.
ARNO chairman Nurul Islam joined by Dr. Hla Myint, chair of the ARNO Foreign Relations Committee, who is also President of the Rohingya Intellectual Community Australia, and Honourable Philip Ruddock, Australia’s former Attorney General and Human Rights Envoy, on the margins of UN General Assembly week to urge the international community to step-up pressure on Myanmar’s military and civilian government, which were failing to make the necessary headway to implement UN resolutions and recommendations of the international community and world leaders, including the recommendations of the Annan Commission report. Speaking after the visit, Mr. Islam welcomed the support shown by the international community, and advocated greater urgency to ensure credible progress on the ground:
“We came to the United States and the United Nations with a clear message: In the face of genocide, there is no time to wait. Much more must be done to support the Rohingya’s calls for justice, dignity and a safe, voluntary and protected return home. Conditions on the ground are worsening—both inside Myanmar and in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar. Victims are increasingly impatient to see perpetrators of genocide and war criminals held to account. At the same time, Myanmar continues to waste time with sham reforms, and shows zero will to create the conditions needed to solve this crisis”.
Press Release: ARNO welcomes the Human Rights Council’s resolution on Myanmar and calls for further action towards full accountability
September 28, 2018
ARNO welcomes the UN Human Rights Council’s landmark resolution on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. The Council calls for the establishment of a new impartial and independent mechanism (IIM) to collect, preserve and analyse evidence of the most serious international crimes and violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011. In parallel, the extension of the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission is key to ensuring continuity of action until the IIM is established.
Press Release: The ARNO supports the efforts of Solicitor Daniel Robert Taylor in pursuing efforts to prosecute Aung San Suu Kyi
September 10, 2018
The ARNO supports the efforts of Solicitor Daniel Robert Taylor in pursuing efforts to prosecute Aung San Suu Kyi for various crimes under international criminal law. The Solicitor filed a summons in March 2018 seeking to charge Aung San Suu Kyi with crimes against humanity for forcible deportation of the Rohingya of Myanmar. However, the Attorney General of Australia refused to consent to the prosecution. On October 3rd a hearing will be held regarding this matter.
Press release – ARNO welcomes the Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar
The Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO) welcomes the Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar. The report acknowledges the continued and “systematic oppression” of the Rohingya people, the complicity of Myanmar Security forces and other actors in the continued violence that precipitated and directly caused the events of August 2017, in addition recognizes genocidal intent exists to warrant an investigation and prosecution of military officials within Myanmar.
The ARNO welcomes the recommendations made by the Mission which emphasizes the need for pursuing justice for genocide and crimes against humanity in addition calling upon state parties to engage Myanmar to change these practices which are a direct violation of international law.
Joint Statement – UN Investigators Confirm ‘Myanmar Genocide of Rohingya’, UNSC must support ICC referral and Urgent International Protection for the Rohingya
Joint Statement
28/08.2018
We, the undersigned Rohingya Organisations worldwide welcome the report released yesterday (27 August 2017) by the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar (FFM) calling on the international community to take action against Myanmar for its genocide against the Rohingya people.
The FFM, consisting of three human rights experts, which was established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2017, called on Myanmar’s top military generals, including Commander-in-Chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, to be investigated and prosecuted for genocide in the north of Rakhine State, as well as for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States. It also points out that the civilian authorities, including State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are implicit in the genocide against Rohingya for contributing to the commission of atrocity crimes through their acts and omissions.
Reports
Special Report: Myanmar old guard clings to $8 billion jade empire
Reuters Andrew R.C. Marshall and Min Zayar Oo
HPAKANT, Myanmar (Reuters) – Tin Tun picked all night through teetering heaps of rubble to find the palm-sized lump of jade he now holds in his hand. He hopes it will make him a fortune. It’s happened before.
“Last year I found a stone worth 50 million kyat,” he said, trekking past the craters and slag heaps of this notorious jade-mining region in northwest Myanmar. That’s about $50,000 – and it was more than enough money for Tin Tun, 38, to buy land and build a house in his home village.
But rare finds by small-time prospectors like Tin Tun pale next to the staggering wealth extracted on an industrial scale by Myanmar’s military, the tycoons it helped enrich, and companies linked to the country where most jade ends up: China.Rohingya Library
All ABOUT ROHINGYA
Press Release
Rohingya boat people in Thailand need help and protection
PRESS RELEASE: STATEMENT OF ARNO ON THE ELECTIONS OF GENERALS IN BURMA
ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
ARAKAN, BURMA
PRESS RELEASE
(13 November 2010)
STATEMENT OF ‘ARNO’ ON THE ELECTIONS OF GENERALS IN BURMA
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) again condemns the sham elections of the Burmese military general held on November 7, 2010, which brings no changes to the people of Burma except recurrence of the military rule with a civilian face.
As the people of Burma prophesied, the November 7 elections were neither free nor fair. The elections were only to prolong and consolidate civilianized military rule as they were based on SPDC’s undemocratic constitution drawn in 2008 against the aspiration of the people for human rights, federal democracy and principles of equality. The people of Burma will continue to suffer persecution.
PRESS RELEASE: STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF DAW AUNG SUU KYI
ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
ARAKAN, BURMA
PRESS RELEASE
(13 November 2010)
STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF DAW AUNG SUU KYI
- We warmly welcome the release of Burma democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi today. The release was long overdue and her detention for 15 of the past 21 years was a mockery.
- Daw Suu, who was barred to participate at the military held November 7, 2010 elections, is a source of an inspiration for the people of Burma. The news of her release has outshined the common pain of the people over the false elections. In facts, her participation in these sham elections wouldn’t have any difference as they were based on SPDC’s 2008 undemocratic constitution which does not signify any political changes or democratic reforms excepting to consolidate the military rule with a civilian face.
Press Release: ARNO welcomes the resolution tabled by Congressman Chris Smith
ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
ARAKAN, BURMA
(10 October 2010)
The Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) has welcomed the resolution introduced by the Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey on September 30, 2010 in US House of Representatives.
The draft resolution, among other things, (i) calls on the Burmese regime to recognize the Rohingya people as “full and equal citizens” and to lift restrictions of movement, marriage and access to education imposed on them; (ii) calls on the Government of Bangladesh to address “the dire humanitarian conditions and food insecurity in the makeshift camps” for Rohingya refugees on the border and to stop forcing unregistered Rohingya back to Burma;
Press Release: ARNO welcomes US support for UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma
ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
ARAKAN, BURMA
Press Release
(19 August 2010)
ARNO welcomes US support for UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) welcomes the decision of the United States to support for a United Nations Commission of Inquiry to investigate into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. The USA became the 5th nations to support the proposal of UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Tomas Ojea Quintana to consider establishing a UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma. Australia, United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are the four other countries that already had expressed their support for the proposal.
Press Release: Statement of ARNO on the juntas election
ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
ARAKAN, BURMA
Press Release
(18 August 2010)
Statement of ARNO on the junta’s election
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) denounces the holding of a general election on November 7, 2010 by ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) without creating conducive political environment in Burma.
Today is the 65th birthday of Burma democracy icon, noble peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
ARAKAN, BURMA
Press Release
(19th June 2010)
Today is the 65th birthday of Burma democracy icon, noble peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. She is spending her birthday in detention away from her relatives and friends. She has spent almost 15 years in detention since 1989.
Time and again the United Nations, with the international community, and the world leaders expressed that her arrest is illegal and is a clear violation of international law. But no real action has yet been taken to secure her release as well as the release of all political prisoners. Like an ostrich the military regime is unheard of the Burmese people’s clamours and international outcries, and is busy with its own undemocratic roadmap trying to legitimize its military dictatorship, with worst record of human rights violations and crimes against humanity, in the country.
Press Release: ARNO supports the NLDs decision
ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATIONARAKAN, BURMAPress Release(31 March 2010)ARNO supports the NLD’s decisionArakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) fully supports the decision of the National League for Democracy (NLD) not to register as a political party...
Press Release: ARNO welcomes and supports Mr. Tomas Ojeea Quintanas call for a UN Commission of Inq
ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
ARAKAN, BURMA
Press Release
(16 March 2010)
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) sincerely welcomes and supports the recommendation of the United Nations Special Rapporteur Tomas Ojeea Quintana to establish a UN Commission of Inquiry with a specific fact-finding mandate to address the question of international crimes perpetrated by the ruling military SPDC in Burma.
As a state policy, the Burmese military regime has long been committing grave human rights violations and abuses across the country and are widespread, systematic and consistent, particularly against the ethnic peoples, which amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes under the terms of Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court.
Press Release:ARNO welcomes the European Parliament Resolution on Burma
ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
ARAKAN, BURMA
12 February 2010
Arakan Rohingya National Organisations (ARNO) welcomes the resolution of the European Parliament dated 11 February 2010 which, inter alia,
• Welcomes the fact that the Government of Bangladesh is allowing a fact-finding mission by its south Asia delegation to examine the situation of the Rohingya population in Cox’s Bazar and Banderban Districts next week, and calls on Bangladesh Government to recognize that the unregistered Rohingyas are stateless asylum seekers who have fled persecution, and to provide them with adequate protection, access to livelihood and other basic services;
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