JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

ARU, USCMO, and ERC Endorse the UN Human Right Council Resolution deploring Myanmar for Violations Against Rohingya and other

Ethnic Groups in Burma/Myanmar

US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU), and The European Rohingya Council (ERC) strongly endorse the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/43/L.23 “Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar” at its 43^rd Session.

The Resolution, with overwhelming support from the members of the Human Rights Council, accurately reflects the current situation faced by Rohingya and fellow ethnic minority groups and the continued volatile situation on the ground in Arakan/Rakhine and other states in Burma.

The Resolution welcomes the order of the International Court of Justice issued to the Government of Burma on the provisional measures to protect Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan.

The Council expresses grave concern about the persistent armed conflict in Arakan, Chin and Kachin states, widespread systematic violations of human rights, and the culture of impunity in the Burmese armed forces, the violence and armed conflict causing displacement of the civilian population.

While welcoming the work of Special Rapporteur on Burma, the Council expresses deep regret on Burma’s denial of access to Arakan State to the Special Rapporteur.

The Resolution calls on the Government of Burma to restore full citizenship of Rohingya and other ethnic minorities of Burma and their voting rights, ensure their free and fair participation in the National Election in 2020 in Burma, allow Rohingya students to attend colleges and universities, and promote religious diversity.

The Council Stresses the need to effectively address the root causes of human rights violations and abuses against Rohingya and other ethnic minority groups in Arakan State, the need to create favorable conditions and to establish a plan conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of all refugees and forcibly displaced Rohingya in line with the bilateral instruments on repatriation signed by Bangladesh and Burma in November 2017, and to disseminate authentic information, in partnership with the United Nations and others, on the conditions in Arakan State.

The Council deplores the release, after only nine months of detention, of the members of the Burmese military who were convicted by court martial of the unlawful killing of Rohingya civilians in Inn Din, Rakhine State, and repeats its call upon the Government and the Burmese armed forces to take the measures necessary to ensure accountability and to end impunity for these crimes.

The Council has reiterated the importance of the full implementation of all the 88 recommendations made by the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, including the full citizenship, freedom of movement, the elimination of systematic segregation and all forms of discrimination, and inclusive and equal access to health services and education, and birth registration, in full consultation with Rohingya and other ethnic minority groups, and submit regular reports to the United Nations on the concrete steps taken to implement the Commission’s recommendations.

USCMO, ARU, and ERC endorse to the entirety of Resolution and demand the Government of Burma to cooperate with the United Nations Human Rights Council.