We protest the concocted information about Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) in a series of news items appeared in a Bangla Daily “Protom Alo” dated August14 ,15,16, 17& 18 and Bangla weekly Magazine “Shaptahik2000 ” dated August27 , both published from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The freedom movement of the Rohingya is not recent emergence but is more than five decades old. The activities of the ARNO are confined within Arakan, Burma and its people. It is never involved in the politics of Bangladesh or in any activities to the detriment of Bangladesh and her people. Neither it has any link or relationship with Harkatul-Jihad Al-lslami nor with any terrorist individuals or organizations.
ARNO is an organization advocating democracy, peace, justice, equality and human rights in Burma. It has been struggling in alliance with National United Party of Arakan (NUPA), which represents the Rakhaings or Buddhists of Arakan, to achieve ‘self-determination’ of the people of indivisible Arakan. It is also working together with all ethnic and democratic forces of the country for establishing a genuine Federal Union of Burma.
NUPA is an organization of the Arakanese Buddhists. The report that NUPA is an alleged Rohingya organization having deep relationship with Darul Uloom Madrassa is a blatant lie. The alleged participation of Madrassa teachers and students of Bangladesh at the Rohingya National Convention (RNC) held between14 – 16May 2004 is baseless and devoid of truth. Similarly, the "Working Committee" that was reported to have been allegedly formed to train selected students of various madrassahs of Bangladesh is cock-and-bull story. As expressed in its Declaration of May 16 and Press Release of May18 , 2004, the RNC was convened exclusively with Rohingya leaders, elites, academics and professionals and representatives of various Rohingya organizations. Also the "Working Committee" was formed by RNC only for the purpose of building consensus among the people of Arakan and drafting Arakan State Constitution, in a manner consistent to democracy and federalism. It has nothing to do with the madrassahs or madrassah students of Bangladesh. Therefore, these false and fabricated allegations are believed to have been made with the worst of intentions to damage the image of the Rohingya freedom movement as well as ‘self-determination’ struggle of the whole people of Arakan.
It is deplorable that the photos printed in the said issue of “Shaptahik 2000” alleging to be pictures of ARNO members and its President Nurul Islam are false and open lies. They are not the pictures of any members of ARNO. It is scandalous to describe one of the three persons in a group photo as ARNO President Nurul Islam. In fact, it is not the picture of Nurul Islam. It is a proven evidence that the reports were not made ethically.
We do not expect such an irresponsible reporting by esteemed foreign news media like “Protom Alo” and “Shaptahik2000 ”. Being persecuted by the Burmese military regime, we solicit the support of the brotherly people of Bangladesh and international community in our just struggle for emancipation.
Press & Publication Department
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO)
Arakan, Burma.
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO)
Arakan, Burma.
Dated:1 st September2004 .