JOINT MEMORANDUM ON THE'HDDEN GENOCIDE" IN BURMA

Amsterdam,
2nd

April 2013

H.E. Jose MnruuEl Bennoso PnrstoENT oF THE EunopERtl CovttvttsstoN Rue pr u lor./Wrrsrnaan 2OO B 1O49 BRussels,
BELGIUM

DEAR Mn. PRESIDENT,

We the undersigned take this opportunity to submit a Joint Memorandum for the urgent attention

of the European Commission on the serious deteriorating situation being faced by the Rohingya and Muslims of Burma.
While the Rohingyas have suffered serious persecution and marginalization for decades, in June and October 2012 the situation escalated in honific way. Waves of deadly violence and genocidal attacks were carried out against Rohingyas and Kamans by Buddhist Rakhine extremists and militias, including members of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), in connivance with the security forces. Many mosques were burned down, thousands of home destroyed, women raped and people killed. The precise death toll is unknown, but it is estimated that 5000 Rohingya and Kaman Muslims were killed, disappeared or had drowned. About 140,000 people were internally displaced. It was one sided affairs, not communal strife, but a systematic pogrom, under state programme, to ethnically cleanse the Muslim population from Arakan.
President Thein Sein said mass deportation of the Rohingya is the only solution and sought the cooperation of IINHCR thus officially sponsoring the policy of 'Rohingya ethnic cleansing'. On the other hand, the Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is uncharacteristically silent in a

situation

Ambassador Burmat'.

of injustice. The Rohingyas have hardly any friends in the country; thus the US to Burma Derek Mitchell said, "the Rohingyas are oppressed by everyone in

The Rohingya issued urgent appeals calling for international intervention to prevent "genocide", but ineffectually. Without national or domestic protection, the Muslim Arakanese continue to face ceaseless crimes against humanity, extermination and humanitarian disaster on daily basis.

Rakhine Buddhists, monks and security forces have blocked the flow of foods, essentials and medical supplies to reach the Muslim Rohingyas and Kamans and they are now facing enforced widespread starvation, malnutrition and diseases. Aid workers and humanitarian agencies have warned of growing 'humanitarian emergency'. A system of neo-apartheid is being practiced

forcing the Rohingyas to live in the current situation of segregation outside of the town in Sittwe and other places in Arakan.
Due to extreme situation, the Rohingyas have become desperate to take dangerous voyages by

rickety boats towards Malaysia and Southeast Asian countries where many boat people consisting of man, women and children have drowned or ended up in jails and concentration
camps. The silence extermination is continuing unabated.

The government could have stopped the violence in Arakan, but it has been apathetic that caused similar planned violence and camage against the Muslims in Meiktila and other towns in central Burma from 20th March 2013. The security forces did nothing to prevent them; rather they were in league with the criminals. More than 130 Muslims were killed or bumt alive, 24 students beheaded who included children as young as l2 years old, mosques, houses, shops and property destroyed, 20,000 internally displaced. The fire of violence is still spreading to other places. In particular, these have been carried out by members of the "969 Campaign" invented early this year by extremist Buddhists and monks led by firebrand monk Wirathu under the aegis of the administration. We, therefore, appeal to European Union to exercise its good offices for the following measures for the protection of all Muslims in Burma and for an efficacious solution of the long standing Rohingya problem. For a long term solution:

(1) The Burmese government must recognize the citizenship, human and ethnic rights of the Rohingyas. Rohingyas should be able to peacefully co-exist in Arakan as equals with their 'collective rights' within Burmese federation; (2) The political and democratic process in Burma must be all-inclusive, and the Rohingya should be a part of it; (3) Repatriation and rehabilitation of Rohingya refugees to their original places in Arakan; (4) There should be a dialogue between Rohingya, Rakhine and the Burmese government for promoting reconciliation and restoring genuine peace.
For immediate solution. Burmese sovernment must:

(1) End killing, destruction, rape, all kinds of violence and intimidation, and propaganda against the Muslim communities and to ensure their security of life, property and
honour;

unhindered humanitarian activities and aids to reach Rohingya's displacement camps villages in Arakan, and to all Muslims and victims of violence in Burma without discrimination; (3) Provide Rohingyas and Kamans with full access to education and health care in their (2)

Allow

displacement camps and villages;

(a) End forthwith all restrictions on the Rohingya's basic freedom like freedom of movement, marriage, education etc. and to ensure all their fundamental rights and
freedom; (5) Open and allow all mosques and madrassas that have been closed during violence for regular prayers and to teach Islamic education;

(6) Allow all Muslim IDPs, in Arakan and other parts of Burma, to return to their properties or original places and rebuild their houses thereon without let or hindrance, and evict those Rakhine vigilantes who have intruded on the land, properties and houses ofthe Rohingyas and Kamans; (7) Release all Rohingyas and Muslims who have been arrested with false and imaginary
charges;

Meanwhile, we also request the European Union to support and work for the followings:
send a UN commission of lnquiry to Arakan and Burma in order to publicly announce the findings and to bring those responsible to justice; 2. Rapid lifting or suspension of sanctions on Burma is premature in this stage; and request to reinstate sanctions in order to protect the Rohingya, Muslims and other minorities, promote human rights and inclusive democratic and political reforms in Burma; 3. ln the absence of domestic or national protection, it is vital that UN intervenes in the matter, on grounds of humanitarianism, for the specific purpose of providing

l. To immediately

international protection
Rohingya in particular.

to the helpless Muslims in Burma in

general and

Accept, Excellency, the consideration of our highest esteem. Sincerely,

Sazaat Ahammed

Chairman BRCNL

Tun Khin President BROUK

HIa Tin Chairman BRCD

Enclose:

A documentl52 Graphic photos of Rohingya Genocide in Burmal