Press release from Partners Relief: Burma's participation in violence against Rohingya

Partners Relief & Development
Oslo, Norway
humanrights@partnersworld.org
www.partnersworld.org
Media contacts: Mrs. Oddny Gumaer +47 904 012 17 (Norway)

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Burma’s government is actively participating in violence against the Rohingya people in

Western Burma

More than 120,000 people are still in desperate need of emergency relief.

(April 24, 2013, Oslo, Norway) This week the international organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a report that highlights gross human rights abuses and possible ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people in Western Burma (Myanmar).

Partners Relief & Development (PRAD) confirms that HRW’s claims are in line with what Partners’ staff has seen and heard in Arakan state.

Partners founder and advocacy officer, Oddny Gumaer, has interviewed more than 30 people who in some ways have been the victims of the violence in Arakan state over the last year. “The stories testify of horrific acts of violence where not even children were spared. They confirm that both the police and army officials participated in the violence. They speak of unlawful arrests, torture and rape. They are a testimony from a people who are living in hopeless despair,” says Oddny Gumaer.

“A woman I talked to broke down crying uncontrollably after she told us of the massacres of her 29 relatives, among them her seven children and 18 grandchildren.”

PRAD wants to support Human Rights Watch in demanding that there must be an immediate change in Arakan state. The Burma government must immediately investigate the acts of violence, and the offenders must be brought to justice. The Rohingya people must be given the citizenship they lost in 1982 back. Humanitarian aid organizations must get free access to the areas in greatest need. “The humanitarian situation is close to a catastrophe,” says Gumaer who was in the area in March. “People lack everything from food and medicine to tarps and blankets.”

Partners also wants to encourage the international community to take this situation seriously and reconsider if financial investments in the nation of Burma is justifiable as long as the government is not able to put and end to the serious human rights abuses against the Rohingya people.

Partners Relief & Development (PRAD) is a registered charity in six countries. The work of Partners has provided emergency relief and sustainable development for tens of thousands of displaced people in Burma since 1994. PRAD seeks free, full lives for the children of Burma and reconciled communities living in peace.

For additional information or photographs, please contact: oddny@partnersworld.org

Please also read this update on Oddny's blog: When your only goal is to die.

New Year. No 3rd Rohingya Massacre. But...

Wednesday 17th April is the Burmese Buddhist New Year. Today is Tuesday 16th April, the last day of the Thingyan, the Water Festival, when evil is traditionally washed away. A third massacre of the Rohingya was predicted to take place even before or during the water festival.


So far this third massacre of the Rohingya has not happened. This is a huge success. It is not often when struggling for human rights we get the chance to celebrate our victories. But I feel if we can reach the Burmese New Year without a third massacre that is a moment worth celebrating.

Over the past few days during the water festival there were 3 homes reported as burnt in the township of Maungdaw. However the military quickly stepped up security and it does appear that this time they were following orders to protect, rather than stand by and let violence spread before their eyes as has taken place on previous occasions. No doubt these orders came as a result of increased international pressure, which has come about as a direct result of our online campaign. Thank you all, you are helping save lives, property, and unimaginable suffering!

In addition to 3 homes being burnt, for which a Rohingya lady was wrongly arrested (further details of one of the houses here), over the past few days of the Water Festival there have been reports of a father and son being hacked and denied medical treatment at the nearby hospital, 1 Rohingya man shot and killed and another 3 injured whilst collecting bamboo, 5 Rohingya arrested and tortured after they were caught scavenging for leaves to eat, 4 Rohingya never returning after fishing, a Rohingya man beaten by police and trishaw confiscated, a return of the census operation whereby Rohingya are forced to sign as illegal Bengali immigrants, a report of further extortion by police, the mother of two Rohingya children that died in a tent fire accident due to cooking was arrested, the closing down of an abattoir in the name of animal rights but actually known to be further cutting off all Rohingya supplies of food, and an attempt to stone a mosque. All these events are common types of occurrence and these types of incidents have been reported on a weekly and sometimes daily basis since the first attack last June.

Of urgent concern now is the imminent risk of flooding. In approximately 6 weeks time the rains will arrive in Burma. At least 20,000 Rohingya are known to be currently camped out in paddy fields which will be flooded in the monsoon. The Burmese government have stated that there are no plans to move the Rohingya. It is understood that some shelters are now being built on the site of flood plains, without drainage. Urgent international intervention is now needed to prevent further human tragedy and massive loss of life.

1 Rohingya shot dead and 3 injured whilst collecting bamboo

The following report I received today from a trusted Rohingya contact, regarding 1 Rohingya man shot dead and 3 others injured whilst collecting bamboo wood:

"I got this report on phone from the very village of the incident in Kyawk Taw.

Place: Tung Tung Hayar village Kyawktaw Township

Date: 14.4.2013

Time: 2:00pm

Location of incident: a mountain two miles from above village

Description:

About 50 people went to the mountain to get bamboos.

They went in a group for security reasons.

Some person from far away shot at the bamboo cutters.

There one was killed, another three were injuried.

The culprits are assumed to be Rakhine extremisst or ALP members, only those have fire guns in hand. Formerly the government seized nearly one thousand fire guns from local Rakhine

Dead:  Zafar Amad s/o Hussein 35 years

Injuries:
1) Omar Ali s/o Dilmohamad 45 years
2) Karlu s/o Sultan Ahmad 45 years
3) Mamaad Husein s/o Ahamad Sabi 20 years

The police and health department checked the death body and ordered for it to be buried." 

Aungmingalar At Risk

Below I have posted a Facebook chat with a Rohingya contact living in Aungmingalar in the Arakan (Rakhine) state of Burma. In it he expresses how the village is on high alert due to rumours of an imminent attack from the 969 Buddhist group, and women and children are now paying police to leave the compound to live in a refugee camp instead. He reports that they pay 130 thousand in Myanmar money for a car. They squeeze 20 people into a car, which is driven by a policeman. Over 12 cars, 300 people, have left in the past 3 days.

He tells me there are 10 thousand people living at Aungmingalar, which is under total blockade by the government. Residents have to purchase all food via the government officials, who inflate the price. There is not enough food. No one is allowed out to work or trade so they are surviving on donations from Muslims in Yangon. Health care is also denied.

 RC = Rohinyga Contact

•             Conversation started today (2nd April 2013)        

 9:44am

RC

hi

hi

•            

 10:00am

Jamila Hanan

hi

•            

 10:00am

RC

how are you?

•            

 10:00am

Jamila Hanan

good thanks and you?

are you still in Burma?

•            

 10:01am

RC

me too also fine,thanks

i am in Burma

•            

 10:02am

Jamila Hanan

Rohingya?

•            

 10:03am

RC

did you heard about yangon condition

•            

 10:03am

Jamila Hanan

yes

we have 2 reporters who were on the scene after it happened

are you in yangon now?

•            

 10:05am

RC

no,i am now at Aungmingalar village in sittwe

•            

 10:05am

Jamila Hanan

oh right

what is the situation there now?

•            

 10:06am

RC

situation is not good bcoz buddies planning to destroy and burn again Aungmingalar village,the group of 969

•            

 10:06am

Jamila Hanan

have you had any direct threats

?

•            

 10:07am

RC

no

but i heard

•            

 10:07am

Jamila Hanan

what did you hear? and from who?

•            

 10:08am

RC

since 3day they discuss with state government from here,to do again

•            

 10:10am

Jamila Hanan

can you tell me who told you what, exactly?

i can help with public pressure but I need specific details

•            

 10:12am

RC

also the security police tell all about ,that we need to take care bcoz the 969 group were came here to destroy again

•            

 10:13am

Jamila Hanan

the police told you that?

•            

 10:14am

RC

yes,

•            

 10:14am

Jamila Hanan

did you hear them say that yourself?

•            

 10:15am

RC

everyone know and here from our village

everyone know and hear from our village

that why our villager are afraid to stay here

•            

 10:17am

Jamila Hanan

but i need specific details you know - not just rumours, if I am to be believed

•            

 10:17am

RC

and go to refuge camp

•            

 10:17am

Jamila Hanan

I need to know who said waht

who said what

when did they say it

how many have left for the refugee camp? and which camp did they go to?

•            

 10:18am

RC

ok,i when i have full deatils ,i will countact

•            

 10:20am

Jamila Hanan

please try get me as much detail as possible

•            

 10:20am

RC

almost 3houndred of our villager go to the bohdubar refuge camp,they all are women and child,

•            

 10:21am

Jamila Hanan

try to get specific information

•            

 10:21am

RC

in this 3 day

•            

 10:21am

Jamila Hanan

3 hundred have left for the refugee camps?

•            

 10:21am

RC

yes

•            

 10:21am

Jamila Hanan

over the past 3 days?

•            

 10:21am

RC

yes

•            

 10:21am

Jamila Hanan

to bohdubar refuge camp

•            

 10:22am

RC

yes

•            

 10:22am

Jamila Hanan

where is this camp?

is it near Aung Minglar?

•            

 10:23am

RC

no so far,town side ,also there are all muslim camp

•            

 10:24am

Jamila Hanan

how far from Aung Minglar is the camp?

•            

 10:25am

RC

8 to 10miles from aungmingalar

•            

 10:25am

Jamila Hanan

did they walk to the camp?

•            

 10:26am

RC

no,they rent security police and police car

•            

 10:26am

Jamila Hanan

the police are helping them leave?

•            

 10:28am

RC

they are not helping us ,they want that we all are go from here,if one time we rent police ,we have to give them over 100 thousand money

•            

 10:29am

Jamila Hanan

so tell me exactly, how much does it cost to rent a police car?

•            

 10:29am

RC

myanmar money 130 thousand

•            

 10:30am

Jamila Hanan

for one police car?

•            

 10:30am

RC

yes

•            

 10:30am

Jamila Hanan

how many people can you put in one car?

•            

 10:30am

RC

20 peoples

•            

 10:31am

Jamila Hanan

who drives the car?

•            

 10:31am

RC

police

•            

 10:31am

Jamila Hanan

who do you talk to if you want to book a car?

•            

 10:32am

RC

elder police

•            

 10:33am

Jamila Hanan

do you have any names? or the name of the police division?

•            

 10:35am

RC

i have before but now haven't bcoz the first was change , and another one is came

i will give you all name and all details

•            

 10:35am

Jamila Hanan

tell me names from before too

how many cars have been paid for so far?

my email is [email removed for security] you can also send info here later

•            

 10:36am

RC

[email removed for security]

my mail

i will sent to you mail

•            

 10:37am

Jamila Hanan

tell me how many cars have left so far?

•            

 10:38am

RC

over 12 car

•            

 10:38am

Jamila Hanan

have you spoken to the women after they arrived at the camp? did they arrive safely do you know?

•            

 10:39am

RC

yes

•            

 10:39am

Jamila Hanan

how many people are left now at Aung Minglar?

•            

 10:39am

RC

over300

•            

 10:40am

Jamila Hanan

and how many remain at Aung Minglar?

•            

 10:41am

RC

nearly 10 thousand

•            

 10:41am

Jamila Hanan

what are the conditions like at Aung Minglar?

Do you have enough food and water?

•            

 10:42am

RC

the conditions are till same before,as you know they need food

•            

 10:44am

Jamila Hanan

how much food do they have?

where do you get your food from?

have there been any deaths due to malnutrition?

•            

 10:47am

RC

how much money we pay to buy the food from government,they give that about

how much money we pay to buy the food to government,they give that about

•            

 10:48am

Jamila Hanan

ok so you have to buy everything from the government yes?

•            

 10:49am

RC

yes, but we have to give extra money to them,to buy food

we have to give car rent and security rent

•            

 10:50am

Jamila Hanan

so everything you do and buy is controlled by the government?

•            

 10:50am

RC

yes

•            

 10:50am

Jamila Hanan

is it expensive to buy food from them?

•            

 10:51am

RC

bcoz we are block

•            

 10:51am

Jamila Hanan

more expensive then outside Aung Minglar?

•            

 10:52am

RC

very expensive to buy from them,out side aungmingalar is not expensive

•            

 10:53am

Jamila Hanan

where do you get money from?

•            

 10:54am

RC

some of donned from muslim group of yangon

•            

 10:55am

Jamila Hanan

can people get into Aung Minglar if they travel from Yangon?

•            

 10:57am

RC

yes but if the traveler give money to state government,at that time they enter

•            

 10:58am

Jamila Hanan

do you have access to healthcare?

•            

 10:58am

RC

is here no access healthcare and medicine

•            

 10:59am

Jamila Hanan

have people died from malnutrition and lack of healthcare?

•            

 11:02am

RC

yes,if someone who are not well,who have to go for the medical treatment to refuge camp ,as you you who have to give money ,if who are poor or wealth

yes,if someone who are not well,who have to go for the medical treatment to refuge camp ,as you know who have to give money ,if who are poor or wealth

i have to go pray now,

•            

 11:04am

Jamila Hanan

ok please send me more info after

numbers of deaths would help

•            

 11:05am

RC

at our aungmingalar village mosque

•            

 11:05am

Jamila Hanan

plus names of police involved with Rohingya transportation to camps

and any specific details of threats

and when any attacks are expected to happen

plus if anyone can get me photos that would help too

•            

 11:05am

RC

i will give you all

•            

 11:05am

Jamila Hanan

and any contact telephone numbers

take care brother

•            

 11:06am

RC

thanks

•            

 11:06am

Jamila Hanan

i can help if you send me this information

•            

 11:06am

RC

ok,i hope

bye,see you

•            

 11:07am

Jamila Hanan

can i publish this discussion?

without your name or email?

or is that dangerous for you?

•            

 11:07am

RC

without my name

yes

i know

•            

 11:07am

Jamila Hanan

of course i would never put your name

•            

 11:08am

RC

thanks

•            

 11:08am

Jamila Hanan

your safety is my main concern

thankyou

•            

 11:08am

RC

bye

•            

 11:08am

Jamila Hanan

i shall publish this information today

•            

 11:08am

RC

thanks

•            

 11:08am

Jamila Hanan

www.savetherohingya.blogspot.com

i will pray for you

as well as act

•            

 11:09am

RC

god will bless you

•            

 11:09am

Jamila Hanan

stay strong

you are the blessed ones

your reward will be the greatest

•            

 11:09am

RC

you to sis

•            

 11:09am

Jamila Hanan

go pray

•            

 11:10am

RC

i must go to pray

**********UPDATE********** 

  RC

    update news of Aungmingalar village.at 9:00 pm now,when buddies stremist enter with weapons at that time police arrest 4 buddies stremist.

     4:16pm

    Jamila Hanan

    4 buddhist extremists have been arrested?

    at Aungmingalar?

    today at 9pm they arrested them?

    4:17pm

    RC

    yes they arrest

    4:17pm

    Jamila Hanan

    did you see them?

    4:21pm

    RC

    yes ,now they let them go away.police didn't any action to that buddies stremist.

    4:21pm

    Jamila Hanan

    there were four of them?

    what did they try to do exactly?

    and what weapons were they carrying?

    and did you see this happen yourself?

    4:30pm

    RC

    there were 20 to 30 buddies,but police caught 4 of them,they all are run away

    4:37pm

    RC

    now police said they had lost their way that why they came at aungmingalar village

    now police let them go free

    4:45pm

    Jamila Hanan

    what weapons were they carrying?

    and who saw them?

    4:46pm

    RC

    petrol bottles , swords and another their needed things during the period of electricity went off for 15minutes in Aungmingalar village

    4:47pm

    Jamila Hanan

    when you say Buddhists, do you mean Rakhine?

    4:48pm

    RC

    yes rakhine

    4:48pm

    Jamila Hanan

    who saw them?

    4:49pm

    RC

    villager saw them

    4:49pm

    Jamila Hanan

    do you know the villager?

    4:49pm

    RC

    yes,they all are our villager

    4:50pm

    Jamila Hanan

    did one person see this or more?

    4:51pm

    RC

    a lot of peoples who saw that they entering here

    4:52pm

    Jamila Hanan

    ok

    are there any Rakhine trying to enter now?

    4:54pm

    RC

    now situation is under control but we don't know what will happen

    here again

    4:55pm

    Jamila Hanan

    ok thanks

    keep me informed

    i will get this info out

    and try push for urgent protection there

    is there anyone that can do a telephone interview with one of my team, first thing in your morning?

    it would be a recorded interview for us to publish online

    4:56pm

    RC

    me too thanks