Rohingya Activists in Japan held meeting with Japanese MPs and Foreign Ministry Officials

RB News 

October 8, 2016

Rohingya Human Rights Activists had a meeting and presentation at the Japanese Parliament Building with Parliamentarians and Foreign Ministry Officials on October 6th, 2016 from 2pm to 4pm.

In the meeting the opening speech was given by Japanese Upper House member and Social Democratic Party leader, Mrs. Mizuho Fukushima.

Deputy Directors Kensuke Nagase, Yoko Takushima and Tomohiro Kanata from the Southeast Asia Division and Ms. Suzuki and Ms. Yamamoto from the Human Rights Department of Foreign Ministry joined the meeting. 

Prof. Dr. Muranuchi Michimi from the Law Department of Gakushuin University had visited Myanmar to see the Rohingya situation in Arakan met Rohingya leaders in Yangon and proceeded his visit to Sittwe where he met Rohingya Veteran Lawyer U Kyaw Hla Aung and others at the IDP camps and Aung Mingalar. He took videos of his visit to Sittwe which he showed at his presentation and presented an 8 page report in the Japanese language detailing Rohingyas suffering in Sittwe under the Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD government. 

U Shwe Ba (a.k.a) Mr. Hisao Tanabe, Burma expert and a former Journalist at NHK, added his view on the Rohingya situation and requested to the Japanese government to do more in support of Rohingya people who are vulnerable in Myanmar and Rohingya refugees in other Southeast Asian countries. 

Zaw Min Htut and Rohingya colleagues who organized the presentation also discussed the Rohingya situation in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Minbya and other places. The amendment or repealing 1982 citizenship law is the most important and urgent for the government and the NVC (National Verification Card) is rejected by Rohingyas as it is unfair and illegal to issue NVC to Rohingyas. The Kofi Annan Commission issue was seriously discussed by both sides and the Rohingya activists urged the Japanese government that the Annan Commission must not be a window-dressing and time buying effort for NLD government. In the meantime, Japanese government should help the Rohingya in Arakan with the humanitarian assistance such as food and medication.

The Q & A session followed and the closing speech was given by Mrs. Fukushima where she strongly asked the Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Kishida to raise the Rohingya issue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi directly in her upcoming visit to Japan which will be in the very near future. It may be in November.

Finally the Rohingya activists presented an appeal letter and other relevant information to the Foreign Ministry Officials.