European Rohingya council Press Release
(June 18, 2016)
ERC urges Aung San Suu Kyi Government to uphold democratic principles and rule of law
The European Rohingya council (ERC) and the Rohingya community are deeply surprised and saddened by Aung San Su Kyi led government’s move in the footsteps of previous Thien Sein led quasi-civilian government forcing Rohingya to self-identify as illegal immigrants by issuing so-called National Verification Card (NVC).
This project was assumed by the Rohingya community as one of the genocidal tools pursued by previous military governments. Current civilian government led by Aung San Su Kyi restarted this project recently in some cities in Rakhine state. Although a tiny number of Rohingya reluctantly took the card– hoping their unbearable suffering would be relieved – majority Rohingya denied participating in the project saying there is no reason to do so. The officials and some media outlets portray Rohingya’s refusal to participate in the genocidal project as “government is doing whatever it can and the Rohingya are to be blamed for.” In fact, NVC is, as the name says, for citizenship verification of the people who never have been recognized as citizens of the country while the Rohingya have been officially recognized citizens of Myanmar; therefore Rohingya do not need to be verified.
We believe that issuing NVC is neither in line with democratic principles nor the country’s rule of law, and this can never be a solution for peaceful co-existence of the communities in Rakhine state. On the contrary, giving the Rohingya a sense of belonging to the country and reinstating their ethnic and citizenship rights is the most promising solution for the peaceful co-existence and development of the country in general and the Rakhine state in particular. In addition, we urge current government to ensure immediately the freedom of movement, access to health care, education and livelihood to the Rohingya while in the process of ensuring ethnic and citizenship rights.
For more information please contact;
Khairul Amin, Chairman + 4792428989
U Hla Tin, Vice-Chairman +45716950277
