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Rohingya Dilemma: a ruthless vicious circle in so-called civilized world. Abdul Hamid M.V. Musa Ali Arakan, Burma. Anak-Anak Pengungsi Rohingya di Shelter Pathum Thani Bangkok Oktober 2009. Introduction. Prior to Burman occupation of Arakan in 1784,
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Rohingya Dilemma: a ruthless vicious circle in so-called civilized world Abdul Hamid M.V. Musa Ali Arakan, Burma
Anak-Anak Pengungsi Rohingya di Shelter Pathum Thani Bangkok Oktober 2009
Introduction • Prior to Burman occupation of Arakan in 1784, • Ruled by Hindus, Buddhists and Muslim • Muslim Sultanate beginning in 1430 lasted for more than 350 years • Until it was invaded and occupied by Burman king BodawPaya in 1784.
The map of ancient Arakan A map showing cultural divisions of South-East Asia in 15th century A.D. as shown in the Time Atlas of World Histoiy indicating Arakan as an Islamic Stale by Geoferry Banadough P-133
In the year 1824, British occupied Arakan put under India • In 1937, separated form British India • Arakan became a province of independent Burma in 1948.
Persecution minorities • Since after the 1962’s coup by general Nay Win • He confiscated the properties of Indian and nationalized, later target Chinese • Finally aimed at Rohingyas • However, in the present regime the situation atrocities reach at its peak
The problems of the Rohingyas • are the result of the forcible expulsion from their homeland • by means of persecution, genocidal massacres, torture and harassment in the most inhuman manner. • It is a problem of religious and political persecution • a systematic elimination of an ethnic Muslim community from their own homeland of Arakan
Operation against Rohingyas • Military Operation (5th Burma Regiment) November 1948 • Burma Territorial Force (BTF) Operation 1949-50 • Military Operation (2nd Emergency Chin regiment) March 1951-52 • Mayu Operation October 1952-53 • Mone-thone Operation October 1954 • Combined Immigration and Army Operation January 1955
Union Military Police (UMP) Operation 1955-58 • Captain Htin Kyaw Operation 1959 • Shwe Kyi Operation October 1966 • Kyi Gan Operation October-December 1966 • Ngazinka Operation 1967-69 • Myat Mon Operation February 1969-71 • Major Aung Than Operation 1973
Sabe Operation February 1974-78 • Nagamin Operation February 1978-79 • Shwe Hintha Operation August 1978-80 • Galone Operation 1979 • Pyi Thaya Operation 1991-92 • Na-Sa-Ka Operation (border security forces) (presently going on) 1992.....
Na-Sa-Ka operation • Headquarters is at the border town of Maungdaw to implement the following objectives:- • Socio-economic deprivation of the Rohingyas; • Effective control on the growth of Rohingya population; • De-muslimization of Arakan through ethnic cleansing; • Spread of Buddhism and Burma Buddhist culture in Arakan with prejudice on Islam and Rohingya culture.
Mechanisms • Extra judicial killing: Since 1989 thousands of Rohingya youths and madrasah students were killed. • Arbitrary arrest and extortion: is a daily routine of business of Na-Sa-Ka and police. It is popularly known as Kalar Hmu • Confiscation of properties: Land, and cattle confiscated and distribute it among Burman model villagers. • Now, there are 100 model villages. Each village has 70-100 household and • Each house was provided with 4 acres of land and 2 pairs of cows.
Anti-Rohingya and anti-Muslimpropaganda: The junta incites communal riots by allowing to distribute books and taped records insulting Islam and Muslims. • Rape: Rape of women is widespread. It was an official strategy to terrorize and compel the Rohingya community to flee. • Forced labor:Although forced labor is prevalent throughout Burma, in North Arakan, it is only imposed on the Rohingyas. • Restriction on movements: Rohingyas are not allowed to travel freely from one place to another, even within the same locality.
Restriction on marriage: take years to obtain permission, requires payment of bribes. Some brides are forced to undergo a pregnancy test. Unauthorized marriages are criminalized and are sentenced with 4 to 7 years. • Restriction on employment:As non-citizens, we are barred from all kind of employment and therefore people are jobless. • Restriction on education: Illiteracy is at 80%. Primary and secondary education is neglected. Due to restrictions of movement, we are prevented from attending higher education.
Resttriction on religious practices • Many mosques have been destroyed and closed down. • No permission is given even to renovate Masjids and madrasahs while building new one is totally forbidden. • It means within more and less than twenty years there will not be seen any Islamic symbolical housings • Most of them are build of woods and bamboos.
Contrary to it there is no hill-top left that there is no pagoda on it. • 100 new Buddhist settlement • The demography of Arakan change into Buddhism appearance
Discrimination out of Burma A. Bangladesh • Refugees are treated as sub-human being • Donations are not reach to • Destroyed their huts • Rape refugee woman • No education for children • No water
Unregistered camps, Kutupalong, One view of refugee camp before destroyed
These huts were destroyed • On 15/06/2009 • Join oppression by • Police • Ansar • Forest department
View of camp area after destroyed Destroyed area from south-west side
Dangerous journey • Due to endless persecution in Burma • Unwelcoming attitudes of neighboring Bangladesh • Prompted many Rohingyas to seek refuge elsewhere. • In the past, Rohingyas used Saudi Arabia, UAE but as Bangladesh not issue passport; almost impossible, • The only option since 2006 became a risky boat trip to reach Malaysia via Thailand.
B. In Thailand • In December 2008 and January 2009, as more and more Rohingyas fled on boats and reached Thai waters, • Thailand changed policies and the Thai military, after torturing them on a deserted island, • Towed them back to high seas with little food and water on boats with no engines. 850 were rescued in India and Indonesia but hundreds perished in the ocean. • Survivors are now detained in Thailand, India and Indonesia and their fate remains uncertain.
Asian summit, Thailand • Failed address the problems • Non-interference policies make Asian nation to shy away from the matter • Surprisingly, they were branded illegal immigrant caught in Andaman sea • Level as Bangli and accept them if they can porbe Burmese Bangali • Why Bangali Why not Rohingya? Think!
C. How about Malaysia? • Caught and deported • Employment problems • No education for children • Even not admit into the religious school • No medical facilities
Our humble Appeal • International bodies UN, EU, OIC, ASEAN, NGOs • Countries such as UK, USA, India, China, Australia and • To explore a permanent solution to the outstanding Rohingya problems • Within the frame work of the international law, pacts on human rights and other international practices.
To pressurise the Burmese Junta: • 1. To recognise Rohingyas as an indigenous ethnic • 2. To issue immediately national identity cards • 3. To give permission to build Mosques and other--- • 4. To admit into higher education including----- • 5. To stop extra- Judicial Killing, raping Rohingya women, any form of harassing
6. To stop arbitrary arrest, torture, arbitrary taxation • 7. To lift ALL form of restrictions • 8. To stop forced slave labour • 9. To lift restrictions of Marriage • 10. To stop forced Eviction and House Destruction • 11. To give back forced confiscated land to their owner. • 12. To call back all model villagers to their original places
Our appeal to host countries • To give temporary protection • To issue document • To give chance for education • Permission for employment • Assess for treatment
Our appeal to NGOs • To highlight Rohingya problems • To form a working team among NGOs • Work collectively • To find a way • To formulate a mechanism for permanent solution • To approach government
Acknowledgement ● Universal Justice Network ● Citizen International, Penang, Malaysia ● Islamic Human Rights Council, UK ● Honorable chairman, Dr. Muhideen Abdul Kader, Vice president, Consumer’s Associaton Penang. ● Ustaz Cikgu Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, President TERAS, and also Training Coordinator ● All staff members, for their hardworking