Just received news about this Burmese demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on 14/1/2009, and it is sad that our alternative media also seem to have missed it.
In any event, the allegation that “…in late December 2008, 427 Rohingya were forcefully sent back to International water by Thai authorities. ..” and that out of things about ‘…325 were feared dead, while 102 were luckily rescued by Indian Coast Guards…’
The practice of putting refugees (or should we say potential refugees and asylum seekers) back to sea – especially during this monsoon period is shocking and should be condemned by all justice-loving persons.
Call by All Burma Democratic Forces (ABDF), in KL, Malaysia
Yesterday on 14 Jan 2009, All Burma Democratic Forces (ABDF) based in Malaysia, held a peaceful assembly to submit memo to both Embassy of Royal Thai at 10:20am and High Commission of government of Bangladesh at 11:00,.
In the assembly, about 30 representatives were presented and they had been allowed to hold 5 minutes only. They expressed their serious concern over Thai authority’s systematic tortures and keeping in detention for about four weeks of intercepted Burmese refugees and releasing secretly into international waters, then planned to fared dead of about 300 Burmese refugees.
They also expressed on Bangladesh goverment’s forceful repatriation since 1992.
before releasing secretly into international water by Thai-forces
Are They Not Human Beings
(you can guess how Thai-forces treat behind this)
How They Treat, during apprehended by Thai-forces
Relating to their concern and for more details, pl, visit at: http://www.infiltrationwat ch.wordpress. com http://phuketwan. com/tourism/ andaman-links- amnesty-torture/
And in their submission of memo, as follow;
1. A MEMORANDUM TO THE ROYAL THAI GOVERNMENT
On behalf of all Burmese people, we at the All Burma Democratic Force (ABDF, an umbrella organization of different political, ethnic, socio-cultural and religious organizations of Burma based in Malaysia express our sincere condolence for the departed souls in Andaman sea of India and Bay of Bengal in the recent month.
We strongly condemn the Government of Royal Thailand for its brutal behaviors toward the victims of gross human rights abuses in Burma.
The boat people who arrived to the Thai coast were the ethnic Burmese Rohingyas. They left country to escape persecution and to find safe place for them through the danger of Bay.
After long journey, they found a hope in Thai coast but unfortunately, they got inhuman treatment that resulted to fear dead. The Thai authorities have been installing pressures over the Burmese people for long period and giving strong supports towards military regime in order to enjoy the benefits of Burmese natural resources, particularly from the Gas
pipeline of Yadana and Yedagon of Mon State.
It is also instigating the regime to improve more powerful tools towards ethnic cleansing against Burmese ethnic minorities, especially, the Rohingyas of Arakan State, Shan, Karen, Kerenni of their respective states.
In April, 2008, the ousted Prime Minister of Thailand Samak Sundaravej had taken step against ethnic Rohingya refugees in Thailand that to put them in an isolated Island in the International Water without any reasonable ground.
Despite advocating the plights of Rohingya, the Thai Government is moving against humanity and thus thousands of Rohingya missed in the Bay of Bengal in various ways in the year 2007 and 2008 respectively.
Recently, in late December 2008, 427 Rohingya were forcefully sent back to International water by Thai authorities that went against humanity and thus 325 were feared dead, while 102 were luckily rescued by Indian Coast Guards.
Before this fate, these people were detained for about 4 weeks in Thailand by Thai forces. Then the Thai authorities put them on 6 different motorized boats and taken to international water. During this time, some sought sympathetic assistance not to send backs them in uncertain water. In spite helping them, the authority put 15 people into Gunny Bags and threw into the water; and the rest people were left in the international water, taking out the engines of boats. Two of the boats were exploded in the water firing rocket launchers. These kinds of inhumanities of Thai authorities are very much shocked to us.
The Thai Government also shot dead 11 Burmese nationals from Rajburi Hospital in the year 2000, while 54 Burmese people had to suffocate in Thai container truck in April 2008 as well.
Similarly, the brutalities of Thai authorities are not sacrifice able for the people of Burma and the Government always gives threat to Burmese democratic forces based in Thailand and thus they have to move from one place to another.
In these regards, we urge upon the Government of Royal Thailand:
1.To immediately cease inhuman pogrom against boat people and all other Burmese people in Thailand;
2.To immediately review the policy towards humanity to extend humanitarian assistances to Burmese vulnerable people, particularly the Rohingya boat people;
3.We demand to give official clarifications about the current kills that has done by the current Thai authorities in the International Water;
4.We also demand to boycott support to Burmese military regime for the causes of immediate democratic changes in Burma and to extend assistances towards Burmese democratic forces;
5.We encourage for hosting international agencies to help boat people and to screen their cases in order to extend international protection.. ………………..
2. A MEMORANDUM TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH
On behalf of all Burmese people, we at the All Burma Democratic Force (ABDF, an umbrella organization of different political, ethnic, socio-cultural and religious organizations of Burma based in Malaysia express our sincere condolence for the departed souls in Andaman sea of India and Bay of Bengal in the recent month.
We feel shock on the misbehaviors of Bangladeshi Government towards the persecuted Rohingya Burmese people and thus strongly oppose the ongoing initiative of Bangladesh with Burmese military regime.
The state of Rohingya’s settlement fall in western border of Burma and that adjacent to Bangladesh which is a member state of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and thus the Rohingya flee to neighboring Bangladesh to escape brutal persecution of Burmese military.
Unfortunately, the persecuted Rohingya’s fate went against their expectation. So, they would face consecutive harassment there as the Government ignores its Islamic obligation and installs mistreatment over vulnerable people. That’s why they choose secondary movement to other countries to find a safe life for them through out the Bay of Bengal.
On their way to unexpected destination, many lost their lives in the Bay and some managed to reach at the coast of Thailand. Bangladesh Naval and Coast Guards are reluctant to watch in to the Bay of Bengal which resulted to loss thousands of Rohingya in the Bay in the year 2007 and 2008. For all these, the Bangladeshi Government is responsible at all.
Recently, in late December 2008, 427 Rohingya were forcefully sent back to International water by Thai authorities that went against humanity and thus 325 were feared dead, while 102 were luckily rescued by Indian Coast Guards.
Before this fate, these people were detained for about 4 weeks in Thailand by Thai forces. Then the Thai authorities put them on 6 different motorized boats and taken to international water. During this time, some sought sympathetic assistance not to send backs them in uncertain water. In spite helping them, the authority put 15 people into Gunny Bags and threw into the water; and the rest people were left in the international water, taking out the engines of boats. Two of the boats were exploded in the water firing rocket launchers. These kinds of inhumanities of Thai authorities are very much shocked to us and thus preparing the event to draw international attention.
Despite these, the Government of Bangladesh is pretending to unknown matter as it is inking economic deals with Burmese regime for its own interest and ignoring the causes of humanity. Bangladesh is reluctant to watch in the Bay and thus Rohingya are dared to dive in the water in the name of Allah’s Mercy. The Bangladeshi Government has been installing pressure over persecuted people over there and developing insincere relationship with military, while ignoring Islamic obligations towards Muslim Minority of Burma.
On the other hand, the Bangladesh Government had started its forceful repatriation of Rohingya refugees in 1992, was by shooting over the flock and later in 1997, the Government extended additional forces in the refugee camps on July 20 and 22. During this time, many wounded in teargas of Bangladesh authorities who are still unable to see in the open sky.
Following this, many refugees were arrested, detained and sentenced for long term without proper trial. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi authorities are worse enough in criminalization of refugees to pull them into uncertainty.
In April 1998, a refugee camp was burnt down and many innocent refugees were shot dead, while at least 100 refugees were detained with false and fabricated charges.
The Bangladeshi authorities did another operation on 18 and 19 November 2004 and shot dead many refugees including pregnant women, children and elderly people.
In June 2008, at least 18 Rohingya childrend had to die without any medication as the Bangladesh authorities imposed restriction over international agencies to look into the matter of Rohingya refugees. Government also does not allow NGO to help undocumented Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who are the double victims of both regime and OIC member state.
Finally, the Bangladeshi Government is keeping the gate open in the Bay of Bengal in order to let the Rohingya to leave Bangladesh to uncertainty.
All these behaviors are totally against humanity and Islamic obligations, while it is also against the international laws. Therefore, we urge upon Bangladesh:-
1.To immediately cease all kinds of misbehaviors that stands against the vulnerable Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh border and to give full respect to the Islamic obligations that accorded in the Quran and Sunnah;
2.To immediately bring the Rohingya issue before the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) resolution in order to bring it to the United Nations General Assembly;
3.To immediately watch the Bay of Bengal in order to protect people from unexpected dead and to reduce dangerous travels;
4.To bring an end of undue representation for the Rohingya and advocate their causes to find permanent solution;
5.To allow international agencies to observe the situation of Rohingya in Bangladesh and along the border that may be helpful to bring an end of their miserable plights.
Executive Committee
All Burma Democratic Force (ABDF)
Union of Burma
For further information, please contact:
Mohammad Sadek, Tel: 0163094599
Aung Kyaw Moe Tel: 0122430774
Habibur Rahman Te: 0122595185 – SOURCE: The Sail
