Burma Bureau e.V.

Burma Bro e.V., Postfach 27 03 66, 50509 Kln, Germany

Fon: +49 (0)221-9522450 Fax: +49 (0)221-9522470 eMail: burma.germany11@googlemail.com

To H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon Secretary-General United Nations New York, N.Y. 10017 U.S.A.

Ethnic People of Burma Germany

Date: 6 th November 2012 Subject: Signature Campaign Factual information of Bengalis in the Arakan State, Burma/ Myanmar

Dear Mr. Secretary General:

I. Concise historical facts and the conflict in the Arakan State

Those so-called Rohingyas nowadays were the descendents of the Bengalis who were brought by the British Administration into Burma, to work in agriculture.[1] After the World War II, the Bengali population grew drastically and became a majority group in the northern part of Arakan State. First Attempt In 1937, Burma no longer remained under the British India but became Crown Colony. In 1940, a group of Bengali from northern Arakan (Rakhaing) went to India to meet leaders of the Muslim League. They requested that the Muslim League should demand the British Government for the incorporation of Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships into British India, however, their attempt failed. [2] The British government attached Rakhaing State to Burma as that State had been gained from Burma as a consequence of the Treaty of Yandabo, signed on 24 February 1826, which brought the first Anglo-Burmese War to end. Second Attempt After WWII the Chittagonian Bengali settlers came back, bringing with them new settlers. When Burma was only one step away from her independence, these settlers wanted to turn northern part of Arakan into either an autonomous Muslim state or join that part into East Pakistan. Secondly, in 1946, some members of the 'Juniyatu Olamai', a religious association went to Karachi to meet Mohamad Ali Jinnah on a
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delegation for the discussion of the incorporation of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and also Rathedaung townships into East Pakistan ( now Bangladesh ). The Burmese leader then, General Aung San, gave his clear position to Mohamad Ali Jinnah that he would not tolerate, if Pakistan would interfere in Burmese affairs. [2][3] That was the reason why the Pakistan leaders did not accept their demand. Jihad on Burma Burma was still under British while some of the Chittagonian Bengalis announced religious war (Jihad) on her. They were fought by Burmese troops led by a British commander. The rebellion movement could remain until 1960. Their goal was either the merger of the Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Rathedaung townships with Pakistan or the establishment of a separate state. It was demanded on the meeting at the Alethangyaw Village, Maungdaw Township. Difference In 1951, Mr. Abdul Gaffar, the parliamentarian of Buthidaung, wrote an article in the Guardian Daily newspaper, entitled `` Rohingya . In the parliament, he could not get the opportunity to address their party as either `` Rohingya party or referred to themselves as `` Rohingya . It is simply due to the fact that the most senior among the four elected Muslims by the name of Sultan Mahmud, did not accept the usage of the term Rohingya. Sultan Mahmud, instead accepted ``Arakani Muslim, meaning that Muslims-living-in Arakan. For this reason, in the Burmese parliament, their party and Parliamentarians had to act just as Arakani Muslim. As a matter of fact, the ethnic group called Rohingya had never existed in the history of Burma. Background and Aims The estimated population of Bangladesh in 2012 reaches about 161 millions from 60 millions(1971), since established whereas that of Burma was 60 millions in 2010. Due to the population explosion, poverty and the natural catastrophe hitting Bangladesh each year, it is obvious that many people from Chittagong area are trying to migrate to nearby Arakan State and South East Asian countries, then possibly to Australia and to the West. For instance, they are trying to enter Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, illegally by boats. This process still happens to Burma as well, but by reason of the corrupted military administration, the illegal migration can not be kept under control until now. Recent Blood-shed riots In June 2012, riots broke out in Arakan State between the Bengalis and the locals, Arakanese (Rakhine). Due to the conflict, many lives, residences, wealth, schools, religious buildings were lost and the stability of the region as well. Recently it was evidently heard that the incidents of armed Bengalis suddenly appeared in the Arakanese coast on boats, shot and burned villages, fled to Bangladesh in encounter with the Burmese authorities. The life and status of people remains far behind in term of education, economy and security.

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II. Follow-up incidences

1. We are well convinced of the values of human rights since we have been living under military dictators oppressions for years. But the guest migrants should understand and respect the traditions, culture, religion and the heritage of the local ethnic. Harmonically and peacefully should they try to coexist with the locals. In this regards, they should take as an example the patience of the 4 million Burmese migrant workers in Thailand. Such incident of Arakan State is not heard in Thailand. Contrary to integration, the Bengali mob violently attacked Arakan: arresting and killing them, murdering as unlawful revenge towards the Buddhist monks, gang raping the Arakanese girls, burning the houses and running into Bangladesh. On Friday after prayer, massive attacks on locals were committed. It is believed that some donors, NGOs and media fuelled in a perfect rhythm outside Burma. As a result, many lives from both sides were lost, hatred and suspicion are escalating and it leads, in the long run, the instability of the region. Besides it causes serious consequences: extremist Muslims calling for Jihad against Burma; good chance of recruiting for Muslim extremists groups; and Burma becomes a place of refuge or hiding place for Muslim extremists or an easy access to Thailand. 2. We would like to excerpt from the statement `` Request to International issued by the Burmese Muslim Association of Mandalay dated 30th July 2012 as follows: Sincere request to the Islamic Nations: to stop the acts such as coercing, threatening, imposing pressure and spreading false propaganda news, that are contrary to the teachings of Koran, that are acceptable neither by the multi cultural people of Burma nor the International Communities 3. The statement regarding the Arakan Incidents issued on the 10th of August 2012 by the All Burma Islamic Association highlighted that what happened in Arakan State was not religious conflict.[4] 4. We welcome the statement by the Indonesian President HE Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, issued at the Press conference held at his residence in Western Java on 4 th of August 2012, which mentioned that the Arakan incident was not the case of genocide against Bengalis (Rohingyas). [5]. 5. The accusation of Saudi Arabia on the genocide of Rohingya Muslims, with the cooperation of the authorities, in Arakan State was denied by the US which appeared in the International Business Times on the 9th of August 2012. We welcome that statement. [6] 6. We have seen widely in the world media about the false and untrue news on the Rohingya crisis. In this regards, the Central Tibetan Administration announced on the 14th of August 2012 that, the photos of the earthquake in Tibet with Tibetan monks are used by some Muslim web-sites, showing evidence of Arakan Rohingya conflict. It was done with the intention to misinform the Muslim world and deepen the crisis in
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the conflict. The CTA had asked the (http://www.columnpk.com) in writing to discard the photo from their website. [7] 7. We welcomed the formation of an enquiry commission called by the President of Burma on 17th August 2012. We hope the Commission will come up with an unbiased factual report. 8. Some international organizations, press agencies and some Islamic Countries have emphasized one-sided on the human right violation on Rohingyas in Burma but they ignored the rights of the local Arakans and their worries that they will have to flee their homeland because of the aggressions of the majority Bengalis. No one can deny the fact that the OICs decision is one-sided, against the article 1 of the International Human Right Declaration- All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Our view in this regards is identical to that of 88 student leader Ko Ko Gyi. 9. Thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims set fire at least 10 Buddhist temples and 40 homes near the southern border with Burma for retaliation over an alleged derogatory photo of the Islamic holy book Quran on Facebook. Even Bangladesh government accused Muslim Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. It is not necessary to argue that these Bengalis are primary source of aggression and destruction responsible for not only that ugly event today but a lot of inhuman cleansing campaigns found in Indian history.

III. Conclusion
Since 1960s, Burma was under different kinds of oppression exercised by the military dictatorship. Thanks to the sacrifice and dedication of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the country is on the verge of revival to democracy. However, the 25% of the parliamentary seats are reserved for the army personnel that it is absolutely contrary to the democratic principle and still has to be resolved. Challenges still remain on the 2008 constitution that was entered into force without the will and approval of the majority of the people of Burma and there is still some faction in the army who would want to reverse the process of transformation. Any group, belong either to the current government, former military junta or the army, refuses the present re-democratization process is in case masterminding this plot, Thein Sein government has the full responsibility to take immediate action these destructive elements. We urge to immediately stop those who are taking advantage of the Arakan crisis for their benefits i.e., financial, political and personal. We believe that the UN, the International Communities and organizations could be able to prevent those individuals, organization and countries who are manipulating for their profits by sacrificing human lives, local and regional harmony. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma really need good friends: individuals, organizations and nations to support in the transformation process and we believe that this is the right moment for that noble endeavor.
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CC: 1. National League for Democracy 2. Rakhine Nationalities Development Party 3. Rakhine National League for Democracy 4. United Nation Security Council 5. United Nation High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) 6. European Union 7. Federal Foreign Office, Germany 8. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French 9. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UK 10. The Department of State, USA 11. International Organization Amnesty International Human Rights Watch Burma Campaign UK US Campaign for Burma 12. Burmese political organizations 13. all Burmese 14. News Agency N-24 France 24 BBC CNN DVB RFA ect.

Reference 1. Aye Chan, Dr.,``SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research 3-2 Department of International Cultures, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan 2. http://burmanationalnews.org/burma/images/Documents/ kmsislamizationofburma201109.pdf 3. Khin Gyi Pyaw, Who are the Mujahids in Arakan, Rakhine Tazaung Megazine. 1959-60, p.99. 4. New 1. see in Appendix section. 5. elevenmyanmar.com/politics/468-rakhine-violence-not-religious-conflict-saysindonesian-president 6. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/372114/20120809/myanmar-rohingyamuslims.htm 7. http://tibet.net/2012/08/14/press-release-on-usage-of-misleading-photos-oftibetan-monks-in-media-reports-on-myanmar-conflict/ 8. Rakhine Massacre: Interview with Ko Khaing Kyaw Moe http://youtu.be/5Cv62cx7mX8 9. Bengali Rohingyas Terrorists in Burma http://youtu.be/VFtFRq2sVzo 10. Photo Eassy Section.

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4. Appendix

News1.

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10. Photo Essay

Photo 1. Arakan traditional Festival

credit : http://www.wontharnu.com/

Photo 2. Arakan traditional dance

credit : http://www.wontharnu.com/

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Photo 3. Arakan traditional Festival

credit : http://www.wontharnu.com/

Photo 4. Bengalis arrested with burning-fuel

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Photo 5. A young Arakanese lady rape and murdered by Bengalis

credit : http://www.wontharnu.com/

Photo 6. A rice mill burt down by Bengalis, Kyauktaw-Arakan State

credit : http://www.wontharnu.com/

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Photo7. A Bengaladeshi ID collected on a quietly approaching boat

Photo 8. A boat with Bangladeshi flag approached and docked at Kalachaung village, Rathedaung township
Credit: Coral Arakan News Agency

Photo 9. A blind Arakanese man protecting his home from Bengali mob

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Voice of People
In Burma

Photo 10. Protest against Bengali Terrorists

credit: The Voice Weekly

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International

Thailand

Republic of Korea

UK
Credit : Participants

USA

Photo 11. Protest against Bengali Terrorists

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