Kaladan News


A Rohingya National Convention Completed and Formed Working Committee


Chittagong, May 17: A three-day Rohingya National Convention (RNC) was completed in a Burma–Bangladesh border area yesterday. It formed a “Working Committee” with the participants for building consensus and drafting Arakan State Constitution, in a manner consistent to democracy and federalism, according to Chairperson of the convention named AFK Jilani.


 “Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO) is given political leadership role to present the Rohingya people and national interest until it holds national convention again,” said Noor Kamal, a working Committee Member.


The RNC was held on 14 -16 May 2004, participated by Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO), Burmese Rohingya Association in Japan (BRAJ), Burmese Rohingya Community in Australia (BRCA), exiled leaders of the National Democratic Party for Human Rights (NDPH), National League for Democracy (NLD)-Arakan Sector, Students and Youth League for Mayu Development (SLMD) and National League for Democracy (NLD)- Arakan Sector, Rohingya Youth Development Forum (RYDF), Arakan Human Rights Organization (AHRO), Ex-MPs, academics and professionals, religious and community leaders, youth and student leaders, writers and journalists and social welfare  activists.


A number of Rohingya groups and individuals from home and abroad, particularly from USA, Canada, France, Netherlands, KSA, UAE, Pakistan, Thailand and Malaysia sent their messages expressing their solidarity with the Convention.


The delegates and participants discussed on the current political developments and process and other important issues and problems relating to Arakan and its peoples, particularly matters of Rohingya’s concern.


 
The RNC unanimously adopted the following policies:

 

(1)   The RNC stresses the need for unity among all the peoples of Arakan and Burma, irrespective of language, culture, religion and ethnic background, for establishing a genuine Democratic Federal Union of Burma that will ensure political self-determination, self-identification, democracy, equality, justice and human rights to all.

(2)   The RNC deplores the policy of ‘exclusiveness’ being practiced by some Rakhaing political party leaders and individuals to keep the Rohingya politically marginalized and urges upon them to shun from inflammatory writings, speeches and activities against

(3)   the Rohingya, in the interest of the all people of Arakan. Such practice that leads to confrontation rather than co-existence cannot be done without doing injustice to the composite nature of the Arakan society. Let’s come forward with a commitment for both unity and diversity, a respect for difference, willingness to share power. Replace hatred with love and affection, because the third party preaches the hatred. Let’s replace the policy of confrontation and destruction with cooperation, peace and development and let’s work together to find the best solution for our future generation.

 
(3)   The Convention expresses its solidarity with all Burmese oppositions, democratic forces and ethnic nationalities and aspires to work together with Members of the Parliament Union (MPU), United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD) Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC), National Democratic Front (NDF), National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB), and National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB).


(4)   The RNC expresses its support to the 1990 General Elections results and National League for Democracy (NLD) whose parliamentarians won an overwhelming victory and its leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political and ethnic parties, including the National Democratic Party for Human Rights (NDPH) and Kaman National League for Democracy (KNLD).

 

(5)   The Convention expresses its concern over the SPDC sponsored sham National Convention to be held on 17 May 2004 only with its handpicked persons, without regards to democratic norms. Moreover, the participants viewed that the 7-points “Road Map” of PM Khin Nyunt will not lead to any democratic changes in Burma but it is aimed to prolong power for the military regime in future. The Convention also supports the decisions and actions of the NLD and UNLD, including Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD), not to participate in the sham convention.


(6)
   The Convention strongly condemns the SPDC’s State terrorism upon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters at Depayin on 30 May 2003, in which hundreds of people were reportedly killed and injured.

      (7)   The Convention welcomes and thanks the United States and European Union for their renewal and continued sanction against the SPDC.

(8) The Convention expresses its serious concern over the continuing human rights violations on the Burmese people and democracy activists, particularly on the Rohingya and in areas of ethnic nationalities. . The Convention calls upon the SPDC to stop forthwith all its heinous actions against the people.

 
(9) The Convention notes that there are huge number of refugees from Burma sheltering in all neighboring countries and urges upon the international community, UN with UNHCR, and the host countries to help them continue their peaceful living on humanitarian ground.


(10) The Convention strongly condemns the SPDC for its continued humiliating restrictions on the freedom of movement and other socio-economic, cultural and religious activities of the Rohingya. The movement of restriction imposed on the Rohingya is not acceptable to any living creatures on earth. The Convention calls upon the junta to stop treating the Rohingya as animals and ensure their human rights and freedom. 


(11) The Convention expresses its serious concern that the SPDC is now selling the gas to serve its own purposes and the people of Arakan are not benefiting from the huge gas reserve in their backyard. The Convention urges upon all those interested in Arakan gas to comply with all civilized norms and practices in order to serve the local people of the area, help restore democracy with legitimate responsible government and thereafter enter into gas deals and other projects with the informed consent of the people.


(12) The Conventions appeals to all neighboring countries, particularly
Bangladesh, India, China and Thailand, UN and its member states, including OIC and ASEAN to mount effective pressure against the SPDC for the restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma, in the interest of peace and stability in the region. ##

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