Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) press release on recent instigated massacre of muslims in Burma

Press Release

On behalf of the Rohingya community worldwide, the Arakan Rohingya Union calls on the Government of Myanmar to investigate the brutal killings of ten Muslim passengers by an armed mob of several-hundred ethnic Rakhine in the city of Taung Goke in southern Arakan State, Myanmar. Arakan Rohingya Union condemns the mass killing of innocent civilians in its strongest terms and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

The victims were Muslim pilgrims returning to Yangon (Rangoon) after the completion of their spiritual service at Thandwe Thissa Masjid in Thandwe in southern Arakan on June 3, 2012. The victims also include a Muslim woman, managing the road transportation service for the pilgrims. The Rohingya community is horrified by the news of the dismemberment of the bodies of the victims by the armed mob. 

The government of Myanmar must not allow such heinous crimes against Muslims or any other ethnic groups in Myanmar, and must launch a full investigation on this mass murder. Further, the government has the full responsibility for providing protection to Muslim minorities during this fluid situation in Arakan where organized violence by the

Rakhine is spreading to other cities. During the process of current democratic reforms, the new government of Myanmar must refrain from fabricating or downplaying this barbaric crime as a cover-up.

The Rohingya community also calls on the international community to launch its own investigation on these horrendous murders and must demand the government of Myanmar to fully cooperate with the international investigators.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin 

Director General 

ARU