An Advice For Peace, Stability and Rule of Law In Rakhine State

U Kyaw Min

RB Opinion

July 18, 2013

Racism in history met with defeat. Hitler did not success. Melosevic failed. Sadam Hussein was hanged. We cannot see what is at the rare side of mirror. What we can say is there always is repercussion on racial suppression. Hatred breeds hatred. Love begets love. Anyone who extend a helping hand to destitute Rohingya or who say a word in favour of Rohingya become the target of criticism or condemnation by some chauvinists in Rakhine State. They did not spare personalities like Daw Aung San Su Kyi and Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. NGOs and INGOs were barred or restricted in their relief supply works. Their statements, interviews, testify that they are behind all these violence in Rakhine and in other parts of Myanmar. When President Obama talk in favour of Rohingya in his speech at Yangon University Convocation Hall in November 2012, Rakhine Leader U Aye Maung criticized it and declared “giving recognition to Rohingya by American President would lead to third wave of violence in Rakhine State”. It implied he will instigate that third wave of violence. 

Here we must realize the universally accepted truth that any victory gained by violence would only perpetuate violence. In this context Mohandas Gandhi said “I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love always won. There have been tyrants and murders, and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it-always.”

Ban Ki Moon asked Myanmar government to grant Rohingya their citizenship. Citizenship of Rohingya is from the beginning of independent not an issue. Bo Gyoke Aung San recognized them as citizens. In his constitutional assembly in1947 Mr. Sultan Ahmed, Mr. Abdul Gaffar and U Pho Khine (a.k.a) Nasiruddin were assembly members from Northern Arakan. As it is today there were some extremist who objected Rohingya’s voting rights in 1952 election. There came Dr. Ba Oo’s inquiry commission which recommended Rohingyas are Burmese indigenous, thus they should have full citizenship rights including right to elect and to be elected. Hence from 1952 to 2010 in all parliamentary elections Rohingya were able to participate. Rohingya have MPs and even one time a minister also i.e Mr. Sultan Mahmood of Sittwe (Akyab).

So, why the citizenship issue of Rohingya be a subject of denial today. The silly objection is sheer out of racial hatred. It is neither valid in historical perspective nor in legal background. Separation and segregation, all this are mentality of apartheid South Africa. We have thousands of documents including presidential orders, Supreme Court decrees to show Myanmar government’s recognition of Rohingya as genuine citizen. Change of institution like NaSaKa (Border Immigration Check Force) is not enough. Change of heart: fair and equal treatment is essential. In Burmese we have an adage, “Min hmar thitsar, Lu hmar gaddi”, i.e., the king should keeps his word and the people should honor their promise. Once we heard the “Thitsar Sagha”, i.e, the true word of Prime Minister U Thein Sein in Bandoola Hall Buthidaung a few months before 2010 election. He told to the audience, “You Muslims here are our citizens; you may have relatives across the border. It is not a matter of denial citizenship to you. It is a phenomena we find in every border. So you will get nationality scrutiny cards in the near future. We are arranging everything for this.”

That Prime Minister is now our President. We hope he will stick to his “Thitsa Sgha” and we will be full Myanmar citizens under his auspicious leadership despite a lot of outcry to deprive Rohingya of their citizenship. Once all citizens are equal, there, we hope, will be peace, tranquility, rule of law and prosperity. This is the voice of Rohingya people in Rakhine State, Myanmar.