Rohingya Youth Development Forum (RYDF)
Arakan-Burma
Ref: 08/RYDF-ST/001
Date: February 15, 2008
RYDF condemns assassination of Karen leader Padoh Mahn Sha
Rohingya Youth Development Forum (RYDF) today expressed its “deep shock, sadness and outrage” at the assassination of the General Secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), Padoh Mahn Sha, in Thailand .
Mahn Sha is one the most prominent ethnic leaders of Burma . He was shot dead at his home on the Thai-Burmese border on 14th February 2008. We believe that the assassination was done by Burmese military regime. We strongly condemn this inhuman act.
It is also no doubt, the murder was plotted by the ruling military SPDC. We strongly condemn this cowardly act.
Badoh Mahn Sha is one of those who are widely respected by all peace and freedom loving people of Burma , regardless of ethnicity, race, religion and color. He is not only the great comrade of Karen people but the friend of the Rohingya people and others.
The assassination of Padoh Mahn Sha is an irreparable loss for all pro-democracy and human rights movements; and all freedom loving people of all ethnic races in Burma .
On this tragic occasion, we, Rohingya Youth Development Forum (RYDF) and all members of ethnic Rohingya share the grief and extend our deepest condolences to the family of Padoh Mahn Sha, to his political comrades, to his friends and to his supporters and particularly to the members of the KNU who, we believe, will not lose their courage even for a moment at this cowardly act by the assassins.
We hope that the KNU will revolve the shock of losing Padoh Mahn Sha into power to continue their struggle to put an end to the plight of the Karen people as well as to the despotic rule of the Burmese military rulers.
Central Executive Committee
Rohingya Youth Development Forum (RYDF)
Arakan - Burma
For further Contact:
Mohammad Sadek
General Secretary, RYDF Tel: +60 163094599
E-mail: sadek_brefugee@yahoo.com
