Press Releases
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.
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.
In This Issue:
- Editorial: Rohingyas are in a geopolitical crossroad: Global Powers and Competing Interests
- Rohingya Resilience in Exile: Rebuilding Lives in Refugee Camps
- Containing Arakan Army: A Security Imperative for Myanmar and Bangladesh
- Ending Digital Violence against Women and Girls
- Myanmar’s Election: Conflict, Exclusion, and a Crisis of Legitimacy
- Rohingya Families in Maungdaw Prepare to Flee Amid Forced Conscription Fears
- Arakan Army Orders Rohingya to Surrender Household Registration Lists
- Fire Tears Through Rohingya Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Injuring Three Children and Destroying Dozens of Shelters
- Rohingya Men and Women Forced to Join Armed Group in Maungdaw
- ARNO Welcomes UN Third Committee Resolution on Rohingya Rights, Demands Accountability for Armed-Group Abuses
Latest News
Press release – Norway must take action over atrocities uncovered at Telenor tower in Alethankyaw
Norway must take action over atrocities uncovered at
Telenor tower in Alethankyaw
On November 22, 2018, the Rohingya news agency Kaladan Press Network released a report “the Killing Fields of Alethankyaw,” which exposed atrocities by Burmese government security forces at the Telenor telecommunication tower premises in Alethankyaw village, southern Maungdaw, in August 2017. Snipers climbed the tower to shoot at fleeing men, women and children, and villagers’ bodies were deposited under the tower.
On November 29, 2018, Telenor responded to the report with a statement on its website, saying they were “initiating dialogue with relevant authorities to express our concern and seek further facts on the matter.”
Joint Statement: U.N. must fully fund new independent mechanism to get to work
17th December 2018 – London – The U.N. Human Rights Council’s mandate to establish a new independent mechanism in September was a landmark moment for our fight for accountability for the crimes committed against the Burmese people, including the Rohingya. Ensuring the...
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.
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
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Press Release
Joint Statement of ARNO and BROUK on the Burma Union Day
Joint Statement of ARNO and BROUK on the Burma Union Day
On the occasion of the 64nd anniversary of Union Day Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) and Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) jointly state as follows:
LETTER OF CONDOLENCE: Demise of Mr. Khu Hteh Bu Phe,
We are shocked at the sudden and sad demise of Mr. Khu Hteh Bu Phe, Chairman of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and Prime Minister of Karenni government on 27th January 2011.
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...
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