Statement of ARNO on the 65th Anniversary of the Burma Union Day

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Union Day Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) states as follows:
65 years ago, on February 12, 1947, the Panglong Agreement was signed between Gen. Aung San and leaders of the several ethnic groups in Panglong, Shan State. It was an epoch-making event in the history of Burma. The national leaders of both the Burman majority and ethnic nationalities of Burma committed themselves, for the first time, to achieve the country’s national sovereignty through the pure spirit of national unity, equality and fraternity. The history of Burma would have developed differently if there was no Panglong Agreement.
Although this Agreement or Union Treaty was based on the agreed upon principles of unity in diversity, the true spirit of the Panglong or Union Day has never been realized since independence on January 4, 1948.
The Constitution of 1947 failed to guarantee federal democracy, equal rights, autonomy and self-determination of the ethnic nationalities, causing resentment and civil war continuing till today.
To add salt to the injury, Gen. Ne Win seized the power in 1962 and ended the Union Treaty and destroyed all vestiges of democratic structures while promoting the assimilation policy and military supremacy.
We cautiously welcome the recent changes made by the civilianized military government of U Thein Sein, such as release of substantial number of political prisoners, cease fires, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s participation in next April bye-elections. But it is yet to be seen how far the government is sincere.
However, the attitude of the U Thei Sein government towards Rohingyas is not changed yet. Persecution against them is callous and greater than before. The so-called Nasaka border security forces are licensed to tyrannise the Rohingya people round the clock.
It is high time to revitalize and translate the true spirit of Panglong, through all-inclusive genuine political tripartite dialogue for an acceptable national accord in order to establish a blissful and well-built Union of Burma.
The Rohingya who rank among the world’s most persecuted and forgotten people must be allowed to be a part of the country’s democratic and political process; and their citizenship rights and ethnic rights have to be guaranteed in the family of the Union of Burma.


For more information, please contact:
Nurul Islam +44-7947854652
Aman Ullah +880-1558486910