(8 May 2008)
We express our deep concern that cyclone Nargis is an unprecedented disaster that had left hundreds of thousands of Burmese people dead, homeless and missing. Due to lack of press freedom, the extent of sufferings in terms of human and material losses could not be ascertained yet. However, at least 100,000 people are confirmed to be dead while 45,000 missing. It affected nearly 50% of the Burma’s 55 million population. Irrawaddy region is the worst hit area.
While this cyclone has augmented the multifaceted sufferings of the people of Burma, the ruling SPDC remains adamant to hold its constitutional referendum as scheduled on 10 May 2008 except that it has been postponed to May 24 in 47 cyclone hit townships.
In this trying situation of humanitarian and natural disaster, the international community should come to the aid of the cyclone victims and the ruling SPDC should allow the donor countries and agencies to carry on relief operation on the ground with out let or hindrance.
It is obvious that the people of Burma will say "NO" to the SPDC’s fake constitution, which aims at establishing military autocratic rule in the country as against the people’s demand for democracy, human rights and federalism. When there will be no transparency in the absence of independent/international or UN observers the military will exploit the situation to rig the vote whilst the people are struggling for recovery.
The UN should put pressure on the SPDC to postpone the referendum and deliver emergency aids to the victims.
Central Committee
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation
Arakan