Rohingya community unifies to protect Rohingyas and their rights

A meeting was held on Sunday (November 20) where a ‘Declaration of Rohingya Unity’ was expressed at 1pm UK time in which all Rohingya senior leaders, credible politicians, activists and well wishers participated under an alliance called ‘Arakan Rohingya National Alliance’ (ARNA), a political platform. During the meeting, all speakers strongly condemned the brutal killing of a Bangladeshi officer at Zero Line and expressed condolences to the bereaved family members.

Nearly 300 Rohingyas from different Rohingya organizations, individuals and home and abroad participated the webinar.

Mr. Nurul Islam, Chairman of Arakan Rohingya National Alliance (ARNA) formally declared the creation of political platform in the meeting.

“We have successfully formed a political alliance in the name of Arakan Rohingya National Alliance (ARNA) as the sole representative organisation of the Rohingya people to protect the Rohingya ethnic and its rights like other ethnics in Myanmar,” N. Islam said this by adding more that they were able to include all of the Rohingya senior leaders, credible politicians, activists and well-wishers after a series of consultations.

Among others, Dr. Mohammad Yunus addressed the attendees and urged the Rohingya people of Bangladesh and other countries to respect the law and order system of the host country. He specifically requested the Rohingya refugees staying in Bangladesh to refrain from anti-social and anti-government activities that harm the traditions, self-determination and dignity of the Rohingyas and host community.

Yunus also called on Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to take strenuous stance against those who commit crimes that tarnish Rohingyas image and even said to collaborate with the government to bring down the criminals.

All speakers on behalf of ARNA expressed gratefulness to Bangladesh government and its people for sheltering more than 1 million Rohingyas genocide survivors fled into Bangladesh in August 2017.

15 persons belonging to various Rohingya organisations and individuals have unanimously agreed as follows:

1. To establish a political alliance in the name of the Arakan Rohingya National Alliance (ARNA).
2. The aim and object of ARNA shall be to achieve “the right of self-determination” of the Rohingya people consistent with other ethnic nationalities of Myanmar.
3. ARNA ascribes to:

(a) The territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Union of Myanmar.

(b) An indivisible Arakan State and Rohingya are to exist on the basis of full and effective equality.

(c) An inclusive and Federal Democratic Union of Myanmar.

(d) The recognition and protection of the rights of ethnic minorities including their culture, language, education, freedom of worship and political and human rights.

(e) Peaceful coexistence on the principle of ‘unity in diversity’.

(f) Peaceful resolution of all conflicts and political problems by political means through mutual respect, recognition, dialogue, mediation and negotiation in good faith and accommodation.

(g) Universal suffrage.

4. TARNA is determined to work unitedly in a transparent, accountable, and comprehensive manner to achieve all its goals as enunciated in the ARNA Charter and Rules and Regulations.
5. ARNA will endeavor to create conducive conditions, by the Myanmar authorities, for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the Rohingya refugees and IDPs to their original homes and places in Arakan, from Bangladesh and elsewhere, with full security and suitable reparation.
6. ARNA shall organise, inspire, and activate the entire Rohingya community to free themselves from oppression, injustice, and slavery.
7. ARNA shall take necessary steps to bring the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and egregious violations of human rights against Rohingya people to account through all possible avenues and courts of law.
8. ARNA appeals to the international community, including neighboring Bangladesh, OIC, and its member states, U.S.A, U.K, EU, ASEAN, UN, and all stakeholders of Myanmar to recognize ARNA as the sole political representative of the Rohingya people and deal with it in all affairs of Rohingya’s concern, and for a comprehensive solution of their problems in the shared interest of local, national and international peace, stability and prosperity.
9. ARNA would like to express its deep gratitude to sympathetic quarters which have encouraged the Rohingya leaders to reach to this historic decision of forming ARNA.

Declaration on Rohingya Unity has been signed by:

1. Dr Abu Siddique Arman
2. Mr Aman Ullah
3. Dr Habib Ullah
4. Dr Hla Myint
5. U Kyaw Min
6. Dr Muhammad Yunus
7. U Nay San Lwin
8. Ronnie
9. Mr Nurul Islam
10. Mr Rashid
11. Mr Reza Uddin
12. U Tun Khin
13. U Zaw Min Htut
14. Senior Politician from Myanmar
15. Senior Politician from Myanmar