We would like to stress that any terrorist activity, no matter who does it and for what purpose, is an obstacle to peace, democracy, humanity, and all religious values. Both Islam and Buddhism respect all individual rights and states clearly that none of them can be violated, even though if doing so would be in the community’s interest.
Since October last year , many violence occurred in Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung of Arakan State, Myanmar. The government alleges Bengali terrorists attack Myanmar armed forces with wooden sticks and swords. Rohingyas appealed international community to save them from genocidal operations.
First week of August, 2017, violence has started in Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw. On 25th of August, 1000s of Rohingya civilian were under heavy attacks of the Myanmar armed forced in Rathedaung, Buthidaung, and Maungdaw that caused more than 200 Rohingya were either killed or missing, 700 Rohingya’ IDPs in Chein Khali Vallage alone are facing risk because Myanmar armed forces burnt down their shelters and ford.
Thousands of displaced Rohingya are hopelessly looking for shelters in forests of Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw. As international Medias are not allowed to investigate the ground situation many medias are relying on State’s media of Myanmar.
Following Rohingya villages have been being attacked by Myanmar armed force recently.
(1) Kwan Thi Pin, (2) Mi Htaik Chaung Wa, (3) Nat Chaung, (4) Taman Thar, (5) Zee Pin Chaung, (6) Lon Doong, (7) Zin Paing Nya, (8) Ye Myet Taung, (9) Kyi Kan Pyin, (10) Tharay Kun Baung, (11) Pa Nyaung Pin Gyi, (12) Padin, (13) Alay Than Kyaw, (14) Thawan Chaung, (15) Thinbaw Kwe, (16) Udaung, (17) Myint Hlut, (18) Taung Bazaar, (19) Phaung Daw Pyin and many other villages.
The Rohingya resistance group, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), claimed on twitter that it had to take defensive measures against the Myanmar military and security forces as the atrocities (by the military and security forces) against the Rohingya people have become intolerable.
During the clashes between the Myanmar armed forces and the resistance group, both sides have reported their casualties.
We strongly condemn Myanmar government for not letting international media go to the ground as well as ARSA for using civilian places for the resistance against Myanmar army’s atrocities.
Rohingya have been under persecution since 1960s; lost their citizenship rights, fundamental human rights and they are being kept in ghetto-like situation since 1990.
In this situation, naturally resistant group may appear and Myanmar military has been forcing Rohingyas to resist against atrocities of Myanmar army in order to accuse them terrorists.
Rohingya resistant group which has no weapons except a few rifles taken from Myanmar armed forces by attacking them, wooden sticks and swords. How can we label them terrorists? The Real terrorists are those who have been forcing Rohingya stand as insurgent since 2012.
Before recent violence, head of Buddhist Extremist Group, Ma Ba Tha, Monk Wirathu visited Maungdaw to spread hatred against Rohingya. Rakhine extremists led by Aye Maung organized State-wide protest against Rohingyas.
At the same, Myanmar army increased atrocities against us and published propaganda accusing us illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Two weeks before the recent violence, Myanmar army organized to attack Rohingya civilians. 1000s of Rohingya urgently, need food, shelters and medicine.
UN Security Council should deploy peace troops immediately to half the massacre which now executed by the military targeting Rohingya civilians.
Peace troops might be the only way to end genocidal operation against Rohingya and punish terrorists who harm stability by violating rights of innocent civilians and commit crimes against humanity.