Burmese Language
Following attack, Muslims demonstrate in Rangoon
Tensions are on the rise in Burma after a sectarian attack left ten people dead in Arakan state on Sunday.
Muslims rallied in Rangoon today as state media outlets issued reports asking for calm as the government investigates the bloody episode.
“At present, a law has been enacted for peaceful gathering and procession for the sake of democratic and human rights,” said an article in the New Light of Myanmar’s English edition.
“Nonetheless, such anarchic and lawless organized acts are totally unacceptable.”
On Sunday in Arakan state’s Taunggup township hundreds of people pulled ten individuals off a bus filled with Muslim pilgrims and proceed to beat them to death. The bus was then set ablaze as members of the mob urinated on the victims.
The attack was sparked by an incident in May when three men, two of which were allegedly Muslim, raped and murdered an Arakanese woman.
The Voice journal posted pictures of the today’s rally in Rangoon, where comments took a virulent Islamophobic turn as some users issued slurs and threats towards the country’s Muslim community on the publication’s Facebook page.
“Feed them a pig’s d***,” commented one user on a photo posted on The Voice’s Facebook page.
“We should either kill all the Kalars in Burma or banish them, otherwise Buddhism will cease to exist,” said another user.
“Kalar” is used to describe perceived outsiders within the country, especially individuals with dark skin, but the term often carries a pejorative tone. In the Burmese edition of the New Light of Myanmar today, the victims of the sectarian attack were referred to as “Kalar” instead of Muslims.
Gruesome photographs of the victims of the attack have also begun circulating on the web and have attracted their fair share of negative comments as well.
A joint statement was by published several Rohingya and human rights organisations yesterday in response to the violent episode.
“The government is fully responsible for the law and order situation in the whole country. It should not make the Muslims scapegoats, but it has full responsibility to protect the rights, honour and dignity of all citizens,” read the statement.
The 88 Generation Student group issued as similar statement asking the government and civil society groups to help stop the spread of violence.
“Our Union of Burma has been a country where people of various ethnic, religion and cultures have been living together peacefully since ancient times,” said the statement.
“So we would like to call on leaders of concerned religions, political parties, civil society groups and government departments to help mediate the situation to end the religious, racial riots and to allow every citizen to live peacefully in harmony.”
Arakan state historically has been home to racial and religious tensions, much of which is directed at the area’s Muslim population including the Rohnigya ethnic group.
Tags: Arakan state, muslim, protest, rohingya
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there are alot racism rife from Burmese people in UK as well. We have to let everyone knows that this is not acceptable….http://www.facebook.com/sandythinmaroo/posts/432340843451621?notif_t=share_reply
It is a extremely sad story for the country. Regardless of religion, race or group we belongs, we are brothers and sisters. No one is superior nor inferior. Respect and tolerance is a key. We all should be clear of prejudice and discrimination between us.
Apart from background tension due to social and financial difficulties which should also be addressed, this is the time for the government to be studiously neutral and protect the victims and would be victims.
Usual use of threatening behaviour would escalate the already ugly and shameful affair.
Maung Kyawnu
Yesterday
Joint press statement released by Rohingyan Organizations:
Date: 4 June 2012
Massacre of Muslim pilgrims by the gang of Rakhine terrorists in Taunggote town condemned and exemplary punishment against the culprits demanded
The undersigned organisations have strongly condemned the massacre of 10 Muslims, including 8 pilgrims, at 3 p.m. on 3 June 2012, by an organized terrorist gang of Rakhines at Taunggote, in southern Arakan State, Burma.
While the victims were on their way back from Sandoway to Yangon in a bus, Rakhine terrorists set upon it and massacred 8 Muslim pilgrims along with the driver and a caretaker. However, 5 Muslims could escape the carnage. The culprits were celebrating triumph spitting and tossing the wine and alcohol on the dead bodies lying on the road.
The names of the 8 murdered pilgrims were: (1) Muhammed Sharief (a) U Ne Pwe (58) NRC No. 8/Ta Ka Ta (N) 095548, (2)Muhammed Hanif (a) U Maung Ni (65) NRC No. Ta Ka Ta (N) 095530, (3) Shafield Bai (a) U Aye Lwin (52) NRC No. 8/Ta Ka Ta (N) 094557, (4) Aslam Bai (a) U Aung Myint (50) NRC No. 8/Ta Ka Ta (N) 094557, (5) Balai Bai (a) Tayzar Myint (28) NRC No. Ta Ka Ta (N) 189815, (6) Shuaib (a) Tin Maung Htwe (21) NRC No. 8/Ta Ka Ta (N) 231084, (7) Salim Bai (a) Aung Bo Bo Kyaw (26) NRC No 14/Ma La Na (N) 231084, (8) Lukman Bai (a) Za Nyi Nyi Htut (33) NRC No 14/Ma La Na (N) 148133.
In recent months anti-Rohingya propagandas have been carried out by Rakhine extremists and xenophobes inside and outside of Burma harping on the old tune, “Rohingya is not a nationality in Burma, they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh” with intent to exterminate them ultimately. Surprisingly, these organized efforts have been carried out in line with the recent statements of some responsible ministers and authorities of the ruling government. Nevertheless, the rejection of Rohingya coupled with continued persecution and ‘Rakhine terrorism’ against them indicates the early…
Nevertheless, the rejection of Rohingya coupled with continued persecution and ‘Rakhine terrorism’ against them indicates the early sign of genocide in Arakan.
However, the government is fully responsible for law and order situation in the whole country. It should not make the Muslims scapegoats, but it has full responsibility to protect rights, honour and dignity of all citizens.
Meanwhile, we reiterate that Arakan is a diverse society with two major peoples of Muslim Rohingyas and Buddhist Rakhines. We believe that ‘peaceful co-existence’ among all the peoples of Arakan and Burma is imperative for the restoration of democracy, promotion of human rights and perpetuation of peace and prosperity in the country. It is high time, for all compatriots, to actively pursue a ‘policy of peace and reconciliation’ and work in unison for the future of the country and for our generations to come.
We demand the ruling government of U Thein Sein to immediately conduct an impartial, comprehensive investigation and take exemplary action against the culprits in the interest of peace and security in the region.
We urge upon the international community with the UN, OIC, EU, ASEAN, USA and the governments of the world, international human rights organisations and NGOs to put effective pressure on the ruling Burmese government for the protection and security of life, property, dignity and honour of the Rohingya and Muslim minority in Burma.
Signatories to this joint statement:
1. National Democratic Party for Human Rights (in Exile)
2. Arakan Rohingya National organisation (ARNO),
3. Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK),
4. Burmese Rohingya Association Japan (BRAJ)
5. Burmese Rohingya Community in Australia (BRCA)
6. Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand (BRAT)
7. Rohingya League for Democracy (Burma) (RLDB)
8. Rohingya Community in Norway (RCN)
For more information, please contact
U Hla Aung +33-629258793
Aman Ullah +880-15584 86910
Tun Khin + 44- 788 871…
A group of people get together, live together and walk the journey together. They must have some belief to stay together and aim for something.The culture, religion, faith and security developed within soon.
Whether they climb the mountain from north or south or east or west, it does not matter at all. Their aim is same , going up to the same mountain from the all sides hoping that heaven is there at the top. It is really funny, all of them are climbing to the same top with elbowing each others, pushing down some and pulling up others along the way. I kill you, I will be killed by others, then my family will kill them, the revenge will follow soon and the circle of killing will never end. What is the reason and result of the killing. The reason may be too many, jeolousy, hatreds, angry and many many more. Once someone said ” poor and hungry people have too many problem which they are unable to resolve themselves. We need someone to help them resolve it. WHo is IT?
It,s just break for Democracy.We should not support between Burmese people any where in the world.United we stand otherwise we fall down.
I am a Myanmar Buddhist. I’d like our people distinguish between Sarsana(The Teaching) and religion. All the teachings lead to good,morale and peace, as I hope. I wish all our people believe in democracy as the -ism for our individual right rather than narrower minded racial segregation.
Regime has done it again! They might have masterminded these brutal murders using their puppets extremists in RaKhine in an attempt to divert people’s attentions from the critical problems such as electricity crisis, water crisis, myitsone dam crisis, extreme poverty and health problems in the country. Whoever have done it must be brought before justice. Our country will never be prosperous and a developed nation with this sick mentality in it’s people and because these unnecessary problems.
Regime has done it again! They might have masterminded these brutal murders using their puppets extremists in RaKhine in an attempt to divert people’s attentions from the critical problems such as massacres in Kachin Land electricity crisis, water crisis, myitsone dam crisis, extreme poverty and health problems in the country. Whoever have done it must be brought before justice. Our country will never be prosperous and a developed nation with this sick mentality in it’s people and because these unnecessary problems.
GOV must step up and investigate that incident,must restore law and order ASAP.Who ever responsibility must be punish.THAT KIND OF ANARCHY IS ACT OF PURE EVIL.Those of who committed the crime are not represent civilized people in BURMA. I believe that some people are seeding of hate between the people.All civilize people must condemn this evil act.WE MUST NOT ALLOW THIS PREJUDICES TO DESTROY OUR NATION.
Thugs regardless of their religious belief are still thugs.
All religion were used for peace.any terrorism must against the religion also rule of law.we should action according the law.don’t solve violence way never finish the hateous.I againt any terror attack on any one,group for any reason.we must live peacefully in the word.
Anyhow, Kala mean indiana and native people of Arakan were part of India and migrated into her in 5000 years ago that inlcude lately enterer the God Buddha itself..
So, be pround Rohingyans are native of this land and a race of God Buddha.
Loyal Rakhine Buddhism people must stop its radical gang’s terrorsizing action and any preparation to cause violence in the fiture. As, it is not in Buddhism teaching..
If not, Rakhine will be remained to be regarded as natuarlly and historically barbaric and tyrant people.
Show your peaceful religion and humanity and pround with your gental and generous customs…
Habib,
I agree with you. Most of we are children of the same fore parents. Some still remain as hill tribes. Some confess Hindus ,Buddisht and Islam. A few racists people created this kind of low grade things. The Lord Buddha used to teach not to kill any kinds of creature even not an ant. We can’t blame whole Rakhine community due to some racists Rakhines.
The world know this racists ugly action .This handful people are destroyer of peace and harmony in the world.