ARAKAN-BURMA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
PO Box 210178
NEW YORK 11421 , USA
Release
Tokyo, July 18, 2007
The second day of the First International Conference on the Problems of Democratic Development in Burma and the Rohingya people was sucessfully held in Gunma Ken, Tatebayashi City , Japan on July 17, 207. The conference was opened by Mr. Salim Ullah, President of JARO. Dr. Habib Siddiqui, Director of the Arakan-Burma Research Institute presided over the conference.
In his welcome speech, Mr. Salimullah said: "Let me welcome you to the second day of our FirstInternational Conference on Democratic Development in Burma and the Rohingya people. Many of you had the pleasure of listening to our distinguished scholars yesterday on subjects that matter to our people –freedom, democracy and human rights for all people of Burma , especially our Rohingya people, who have been rightly called the worst victims of Burmese government’s crimes against humanity.
We learned what Burma and its genuine democratic leadership has to do to bring about the necessary positive changes. In that equation, there is no place for feudalism, racism or xenophobia and big-brother- like unilateralism that breeds hatred and animosity, which contributes to division, dispossession, loss and suffering of people. Instead, what Burma needs is the true spirit of Republicanism, where all people of Burma –from the majority Burman to the minority Karen to Mon to Shan to Kachin to Chin to Rakhaing to Rohingay and all other minorities -- are treated equitably in an inclusive and trust-building environment for nation building. With that formula for genuine reconciliation, Burma has a future in our century. Without mutual respect on an equal footing, Burma has no future. It will continue to be looked upon as a "failed" state, much like Yugoslavia .
This evening, we have some 11 papers dealing with our Rohingya people. As a co-sponsor of this conference, my expectation is that these scholarly articles would motivate you to work for bringing about a positive change in Burma where no one is discriminated on account of his nationality, ethnicity, race, color and religion, let alone being denied of his or her fundamental right to be a citizen."
In the second day event, 11 papers were presented.
Session 1: Rohingya People's National Status
1. Mohiuddin (aka) Maung Sein, President of NDPHR (exile) USA (HQ)
Topic: National Status of Rohingyas
2. Kyaw Soe Aung (aka) MSK Jilani, General Secretary, NDPHR (exile) USA (HQ)
Topic: Rohingyas under the International Laws
3. Dr. Abid Bahar, Professor, Dawson College , Montreal , Canada
Topic: The "Enclave" revisited
4. Salim Ullah, President, JARO
Topic: Burma Fights Fascism
5. Dr. Than Aung (aka) Mohammed Ali, President, NDPHR (exile) UAE
Topic: A short account of the rise and fall of Arakan and Rohingya community today
6. Mohammad Sadek, General Secretary (RYDF) & NDPHR (exile) Malaysia
Topic: Rakhaing-Rohingya Reconciliation in line of NRP/ENC’s Objectives
7. Nurul Islam, ex-President, Arakan Historical Society, Chittagong
Topic: The current situation of the Rohingya people
Session 2: The Future of Rohingya People
1. Ahmedur Rahman Farooq, Co-founder of APFP, author and columnist
Topic: When the Sun will Rise for the Rohingyas
2. Dr. Zaw Myint Thien, Chief Advisor of NDPHR (exile) USA (HQ), President of World Rohingya Congress and Jupiter Corporation
Topic: Future of Rohingya and the Need for Proper Education System
3. Ustad Salim Ullah, President - Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO)
Topic: Rebuilding Rohingya Community through Modern Education
4. Nyi Nyi Soe, VP, JARO
Topic: United we stand, victory belongs to us!
At the end of the program, Dr. Habib Siddiqui read the Declaration of the conference (which shall be distributed separately).
In his closing speech, Mr. Mohiuddin (aka) U Maung Sein read good-will messages from the Rohingya community across the globe. He thanked the Arakan-Burma Research Institute, the NDPHR members and the JARO officials. He deplored the fact that some of the so-called Democracy leaders within the Burmese dissedents have been denying the Rohingya issue, esp. the impact of the 1982 Citizenship Act, which has effectively reduced them as "stateless" people of Burma . He demanded that the notorious Act be repealed. He demanded transparency from the Democracy Movement leaders on this grave issue. He concluded by saying, "Rohingyas are for non-violence and negotiated settlement."
Press Release prepared by
Dr. Abid Bahar
Arakan Burma Research Institute
USA Head Office
