Director General of ARU, Dr. Wakar Uddin, meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi

RB News

February 3, 2013

The Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin, met with Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, Honorable Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi, and discussed a wide range of political, human right, and humanitarian issues facing Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan state in Burma/Myanmar. 

Dr. Uddin provided detailed accounts of the recent violence by Buddhist Rakhine against Rohingya ethnic minority in several areas in Arakan, and current status on these issues. Dr. Uddin explained the humanitarian crisis faced by over 120,000 Rohingya IDPs (internally displaced persons) in various camps in Arakan, ranging from health issues, food/water crisis, lack of protection for women in camps, and various problems faced by Rohingya families in many villages. 

“There is ample aid and support for the victims from international communities; however, the aid groups can not get access to all areas for various number of reasons” Dr. Uddin said. “We appeal to Myanmar Government to give the international community free access to all the affected areas, and security for the international teams must be provided by Myanmar Government” Dr. Uddin added. 

Answering questions from the Deputy Prime Minister about the root cause of the problem, Dr. Uddin explained multiple causes ranging from historical perspective, emerging Rakhine racist ideology, to longstanding and contemporary government policies against Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan. Dr. Uddin also provided details of the mission of Arakan Rohingya Union, and the advances it has made since its formation under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2011. 

The Deputy Prime Minister told the Director General that his team in Pakistan is well aware of ARU’s diplomatic activities at OIC, United Nations, and in various countries in Europe, Asia, United States, and Canada. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of diplomacy and encouraged the Director General to continue ARU’s diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution for Rohingya people in Arakan. The Deputy Prime Minister assured Dr. Uddin that the people of Pakistan will continue to stand by the Rohingyas in their quest for reclaiming their rights in their homeland.