Press Release:CONCERN FOR U KYAW MIN & HIS FAMILY

Arakan Rohingya National Organisation
(Arakan, Burma)

We at Arakan Rohinya National Organisation (ARNO) expressed our grave concern for U Kyaw Min and his family members, who were given lengthy prison terms by a Burmese court on 29 July 2005. U Kyaw Min is an elected Member of Parliament (MP) of National Democratic Party for Human Rights from Buthidaung, Arakan State and one of the members of the Committee for Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP)

The arrest of U Kyaw Min from his residence in Rangoon (Yangon) on 17 March was followed by those of his wife and three children who have all been detained in the notorious Insein Jail in Rangoon. They were tried by a court situated within the prison, and U Kyaw Min was given a 47 year prison term and his wife and three children were each given a 17 year term. During the period of trail they were denied the right to access to a lawyer and to receive visitors. They were tried with Emergency provisional Act. It is also said that, for being Rohingyas, the authorities took action against them for residing in Rangoon after coming from Buthidaung, Arakan State. According to the Burmese military authorities, no Rohingya, even an elected MP and his family, has the rights of residence within the border of the State, even in capital Rangoon.

The arrest of U Kyaw Min and his family members was politically and racially motivated. It is also based on religious discrimination. We are seriously concerned for their safety and security, particularly for the safety of his wife and children, who were not involved in politics. It is totally unjust and we strongly condemn the action.

We demand for the immediate release of U Kyaw Min and his family members. In this connection, we urge upon the UN with the international community, OIC, EU, ASEAN, neighbouring countries, IGOs, NGOs and all human rights and Humanitarian organizations, including Amnesty International to take urgent and proper action for the immediate release of U Kyaw Min with his family members, Burmese democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners.

Press & Publication Department
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation
Arakan, Burma.
Dated: August 2, 2005