Arakanland News & Article

WAO-HQ- World Arakanese Organization (WAO) has roused the sympathizers for its fundraising, collecting the donation which is being to provide Arakanese natural disasters after Tropical Cyclone Giri hitting the Arakan on October 22, 2010.

Reportedly, the sources said that most affected Townships are Kyouk Pru, Mrebone, Pouk Taw and Mum Bra. At least 150 people died as the wave, triggered by Cyclone Giri, washed away some village and storm destroyed wooden and bamboo homes from 71 villages, displacing more than 170,000 people need to humanitarian assistance, urgently, such as shelter, water-sanitation, food and health.

As a part of fundraising, WAO-USA and WAO-Europe are collecting the donation for Arakanese Giri Victims and WAO-USA (California Branch) has been a plan to Fundraising Event, Selling Arakanese Traditional Foods and Burmese National Foods, will hold at the place of Lake Elizabeth Park, Picnic B, 40000 Paseo Padre Pkway, Fremont, CA 94538 on Nov 7, 2010 at 10am-1pm. WAO Headquarters hope all WAO Branch should organize to do some Fundraising for Giri Victims and should organize urgent events for Fundraising, and long term to work as Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan for Arakanese Giri Victims.

Source: WAO

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ARAKANLAND

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a press conference in Hanoi, Viet Nam

29 October 2010 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today repeated his call for a credible democratic transition in Myanmar, with the United Nations human rights chief stating that, eight days before scheduled elections, conditions in the country do not meet international standards for free and fair polls.

Mr. Ban told heads of State and government of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), meeting in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, that they have a significant stake in seeing Myanmar turn the elections into "an opportunity for peace, democracy and prosperity."

Earlier this week he said that it is "not too late" for Myanmar to make the polls fairer by releasing political detainees. The country is set to go to the polls - the first in two decades - on 7 November.

In a statement issued today, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in the South-East Asian nation.

"These are the more than 2,000 persons in Myanmar who, in most cases, have been convicted by laws that limit freedom of expression and freedom of association and assembly and contravene international laws," Ms. Pillay said.

"The people of Myanmar are clearly seeking a better future. Genuine elections that meet international standards should be part of the transition process towards that future," she said.

In his speech at the UN-ASEAN summit in Hanoi, the Secretary-General said the period after elections will be the time for the authorities in Myanmar "to signal that they are ready to depart from the status quo.

"Failure to meet these expectations could undermine Myanmar's own efforts. It could also reflect on ASEAN's collective values and principles, at a time when you are striving for greater regional integration," he added.

Mr. Ban also highlighted the successful cooperation between the UN and ASEAN in response to cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in 2008, saying that such collaboration should become the basis for concerted efforts between the two organizations.

"Working-level contacts must also be a regular part of the continuous process. This would help us identify further areas for cooperation - and allow us to respond more quickly and effectively at times of crisis or emergency," he said.

In a wide-ranging speech, the Secretary-General also noted that he had fruitful discussions with Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva about their border dispute and was encouraged by their political will and pragmatism.

"I believe this will help to bring a peaceful resolution to the situation." the Secretary-General said.

In addition, Mr. Ban commended ASEAN for establishing the Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, saying it was an important first step towards strengthening a culture of respect for human rights.

"The United Nations, and in particular the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stands ready to help ASEAN in strengthening its regional human rights mechanisms," he said.

Myanmar: Ban calls for regional support in seeking democratic transition

Source: UN News Service

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ARAKANLAND 

Rescue workers arrive at the scene of the Mount Merapi volcano in Indonesia

28 October 2010 - Recognizing the vulnerability of their region to natural disasters, 50 countries across Asia and the Pacific today agreed at a United Nations-backed conference to make risk reduction a component of their national climate change adaptation policies to cope with extreme weather events.

The decision, made at the conclusion of the Fourth Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Incheon, Republic of Korea, came in the wake of the double disasters of a tsunami and a volcano eruption in Indonesia earlier in the week.

The two disasters left hundreds of people dead and forced thousands of others to flee their homes. Last week cyclone Giri caused heavy flooding in Myanmar and Thailand affecting tens of thousands of people.

Delegates at the conference approved a five-year regional roadmap to establish climate resilient disaster risk management systems by 2015. The scheme is also intended to foster sustainable development at the regional, national and community levels.

"This is the first time that governments agree at a regional level to recognize disaster risk reduction as a main tool to adapt to climate change and adopt a common regional climate risk management approach to reduce weather-related disaster impacts," said Margareta Wahlström, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The roadmap, known as the Incheon REMAP, focuses on three main themes - raising awareness and building capacities of communities to better cope with more weather-related hazards; sharing information through new technologies and sound practices in climate and disaster risk management; and promoting integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation as part of sustainable development policies.

"I believe that the REMAP can become a guideline for all nations in the region and beyond to follow as a way to contribute to effective disaster reduction and climate change adaptation," said M. Park Yeon-soo, Administrator of Korea's National Emergency Management Agency, which hosted the ministerial conference.

The roadmap calls for more regional training and research programmes in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and highlights the need to develop an information-sharing platform. It also includes an outline of the steps that need to be taken to attain its objectives.

A final declaration of the conference urges governments to use the five remaining years of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action - the global plan to build the resilience of nations and communities by 2015 - to accelerate their commitments to reduce human and economic losses resulting from disasters.

The declaration also calls on States and the international donor community to invest more in disaster risk reduction and to step up funding for regional and national disaster risk reduction activities.

Asia-Pacific most prone to natural disasters but lacks preparedness - UN report

Source: UN News Service

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ARAKANLAND 

Photos source; WAO's Email Groups

According to the latest information from UN, at least 100 people dead, an estimated 177,000 people and 71 villages in Arakan were affected by Cyclone Giri that made landfall on 22 October. Burmese government official media reported a total of 27 deaths in the affected area.

While local infrastructure was severely damaged, major loss of life was reportedly avoided due to early-warning alerts and large-scale evacuation carried out by the Government and the Red Cross ahead of the cyclone's impact.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) - along with the UN's refugee agency, World Food Programme, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and international and national non-governmental organizations - has mobilized Myanmar-based staff to carry out rapid assessment and coordination efforts.  

Arakan's most affected townships are Kyaukpyu, Minbya, Pauktaw, Munaung and Myebon. UNDP's area coordination office has been operational in the state capital Sittwe for more than 14 years, with project offices in Minbya and Kyauktaw.

UNDP's Sittwe office and transportation facilities are being used to support inter-agency coordination and cyclone recovery work, with priority activities currently focusing on sectors such as shelter, water-sanitation, food and health.

Source: UNDP

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ARAKANLAND

Secreatary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) holds a joint press conference with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand

26 October 2010 - With just under two weeks left until Myanmar holds its first elections in two decades, it is "not too late" for the South-East Asian nation to make the polls more participatory by releasing political detainees, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is among the political prisoners who continue to be detained.

"We are really expecting that this election will be a fair one and a credible one and an inclusive one," Mr. Ban told reporters following a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in Bangkok.

What is also key, he stressed, is how inclusive of a Government is formed after the 7 November polls, only the third multi-party elections in the 60 years since independence.

"That will be a test of the Myanmar Government - how they will be able to meet the expectations of the international community," the Secretary-General said.

"The more they signal through concrete actions that it is a departure from business as usual or the status quo towards more openness, the better it will be for the credibility of their country in the democratization process."

Although Myanmar has signalled that it does not want outside help for its elections, the United Nations is committed to long-term engagement with the country, underlined Mr. Ban, who will meet with Prime Minister Thein Sein on the sidelines of the joint UN-Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN)) meeting shortly in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

Last week, an independent UN human rights expert characterized the upcoming polls as "deeply flawed," noting that "conditions for the general elections are limited under the current circumstances" and that the potential for the polls to bring meaningful change remain uncertain.

Tomás Ojea Quintana, the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Myanmar, told reporters in New York that "the Myanmar Government needs to send a strong signal to the international community about its commitment to hold genuine elections, and the unconditional and immediate release of prisoners of conscience would be such a signal."

In presenting his report on the polls to the General Assembly, he said that the freedoms of expression and assembly have been further restricted through the implementation of election laws, while party registration requirements and the high cost of registering candidates have hampered parties not backed by the Government.

"It is clear that the process has not been inclusive," Mr. Quintana stressed.

Among other topics discussed between the Secretary-General and the Thai Prime Minister today was the current situation in Thailand, which was rocked by deadly political violence earlier this year between anti-Government protesters and security forces, as well as the national reconciliation efforts under way.

"Many of the issues that led to the recent violence and tragic loss of life can best be resolved through committed and genuine national dialogue conducted in good faith," said Mr. Ban, who encouraged Mr. Vejjajiva to press ahead with these efforts through an inclusive, broad-based process.

Thailand "has many important lessons to offer the world," he said, pointing out that the country is on track to meeting most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the eight anti-poverty targets with a 2015 deadline, and is also deeply engaged in South-South cooperation.

Thailand is the first stop on the Secretary-General's four-nation Asia visit. He has arrived in Cambodia for the second leg of his tour, and will also travel to Viet Nam and China.

News Tracker: past stories on this issue

UN rights expert calls Myanmar election process ‘deeply flawed'

Source: UN News Service

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ARAKANLAND

An emergency Teleconference of WAO-USA successfully held on October 24, 2010. The purpose of Teleconference agenda has made to assist the Cyclone Giri victims People from Arakan.  Twenty were as conference attendees including WAO-USA Executive Committee discussed the emergency relief fund.

Both WAO leaders Dr. Aye Kyaw and Dr. Aye Chan participated in the meeting and they solemnly suggested and advised for working together  to collect donation immediately and send it to Cyclone Giri sufferers.

All conference attendees unanimously discussed and made decision has formed Cyclone Giri Relief Committee regionally across the United State of America. During the meeting, all attendees donated $ 2000 with good will and it will be send first week of November. So far, each branch of Cyclone Giri Relief Committee is collecting to relief fund from neighboring sympathizers. WAO.USA contacted to local volunteers and agreed with U Khin Maung Saw who is president of Rakhine Thahaya Athyn (YGN) to release WAO-USA reserved fund ($2650) for emergency relief this morning. This teleconference held from 9:30pm to 10:30pm.  Your personal commitment is incredibly helpful and allows us to reach our goal.

World Arakanese Organization has received really unhappy news including damaged photos from Kyauk Pru, Mrebone and Mumbra townships where had been  worst struck by cyclone Giri  landfall  on Arakan by wind per hour 160 mile and tidal surge, which was as high as 12 feet on October 22-33, 2010.

According to the information from Arakan, there was over ten thousand of Arakanese people are homeless and over three hundreds estimated death.

Source: WAO-USA

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

20 October 2010 - The importance of the cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union on a range of issues, including on the Middle East, topped Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's talks today with a senior EU official in France.

Before departing Strasbourg for New York, Mr. Ban met this morning with Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

They conferred on the status of the direct talks under way between Israelis and Palestinians, with Mr. Ban emphasizing the importance of negotiations and reaffirming the readiness of the diplomatic quartet - comprising the UN, the EU, Russia and the United States - to support them.

The Secretary-General and Ms. Ashton also discussed the situation in Sudan, including preparations for January's referenda, which stand at a critical juncture.

On 9 January the inhabitants of southern Sudan will vote on whether to secede from the rest of the country, while the residents of the central area of Abyei will vote on whether to be part of the north or the south.

During their meeting today, the two officials also discussed Somalia, Iran, Pakistan and Kosovo.

Yesterday, Mr. Ban addressed the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, warning the continent against a new "politics of polarization," discrimination and intolerance over immigration, with Muslim immigrants as primary targets.

"Almost seven years ago, my predecessor Kofi Annan stood before you," he told the 27-nation European Parliament in Strasbourg. "In his address, he made an impassioned call for Europe to seize the opportunities presented by immigration and to resist those who demonized these newcomers as ‘the other.' I wish I could report, today, that the situation in Europe has improved over the intervening years. But as a friend of Europe, I share profound concern."

In a speech earlier in the day to the 47-nation Council of Europe, whose 800 million citizens number some 300 million more than those represented in the European Union's parliament, he highlighted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights' proclamation of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.

"That is our base line," he declared at the session marking the 60th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. "That is our standard. There are no exceptions. In a complicated and connected world, this mission is essentially simple and simply essential."

Secretary-General cautions against new ‘politics of polarization' in Europe

Source: UN News Service

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WAO-USA- 5^th Annual Conference sponsored by WAO-USA, which will be held on November 13, 2010 in Utica, New York State accordance with resolution of WAO-USA's 9^th Teleconference held on October 10, 2010. It will plan to discuss about Arakanese social affairs in different parts of the world.

It is open to any Arakanese. Thoughts and agendas relating to the issues of Arakanese welfare are welcome. It is so hopeful it will be a robust meeting as well as a gathering of friends and families of Arakanese people. In addition a major focus and purpose of this meeting will be on the development of all Arakanese. This Annual Conference will run from 2pm to approximately 5pm.

WAO-USA would like to invite cordially all Arakanese or Arakanese-American families who live in United States of America. Warmly welcome to WAO-USA's 5^th Annual Meeting will provide an accommodation and food to conference attendees who are willing to participate.

If you need help in getting information as in detail please contact us.

U Sein Tun- 650-387-6894

U Khine Kyaw Khine- 602-349-6170

Moung Kyaw Hthoo Aung- 617-435-4153

U Moung Chite- 315-368-7816

Moung Zaw Zaw Tun- 646-203-3333

Source: WAO-USA

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Aung San Suu Kyi

15 October 2010 - Declaring himself frustrated by the lack of engagement from the Myanmar authorities to ensure that the upcoming elections are "inclusive, credible, participatory and transparent," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is once again calling for the release of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.

"It is a source of disappointment that, despite our best efforts, Myanmar failed to utilize my good offices and engage meaningfully on issues of mutual interest and concern," he tells the General Assembly in a report on the human rights situation in the South-East Asian country for the August 2009-August 2010 period.

"Myanmar's lack of engagement is deeply frustrating, as it not only contradicts its stated policy of cooperation with the United Nations but also limits my ability to fully implement the mandate entrusted to me by the General Assembly," he says, stressing that the elections, Myanmar's first in 20 years and only the third multiparty poll in more than 60 years since independence, present a major test for the prospects of peace, democracy and prosperity.

He notes that since his last visit to Myanmar in July 2009, continuous efforts were made to engage the authorities but the Government has not extended an invitation to his Special Adviser, nor has it pursued further opportunities for meaningful dialogue among key stakeholders.

Since that visit there have been some signs of flexibility such as the release in September, 2009, of over 130 political prisoners as part of a broader amnesty.

"However, the detention of other political prisoners and the continued house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remain of grave concern," he stresses.

"I strongly urge the Myanmar authorities, once again, to release, without delay, all the remaining political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, so that they can freely participate in the political life of their country. This will be the clearest signal of their commitment to a credible electoral process."

He underscores the need for progress in overcoming Myanmar's twin legacies of political deadlock and armed conflict. "Myanmar faces the longer-term challenges of reversing two generations of non-democratic rule as well as socio-economic stagnation," he writes.

"Addressing the challenges of national reconciliation, democratization and respect for human rights remain essential responsibilities. In that regard, it is critical to pursue dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders, as well as greater political, social and economic openness. In order to respond to the expectations of the people, it will be necessary to establish a credible civilian system and shift to greater pluralism and broad-based policymaking."

Myanmar faces critical phase as elections loom, UN chief says

Source: UN News Service

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Date    : 08/10/2010

Open letter to the Irrawaddy from the Coalition of Burma Ethnics Malaysia

Over the past ten years, community-based organizations representing different ethnic nationalities from Burma have formed to organize, assist, and protect their respective communities. In recognition that community-based operations in Malaysia would benefit from increased cooperation, the Coalition of Burma Ethnics Malaysia (COBEM) was formed in 2007 to respond to the needs of the ethnic refugee and migrant community from Burma living in Malaysia. COBEM now represents the Chin, Kachin, Arakan, Shan, Karen, Mon and Karenni ethnic communities. Membership of this coalition includes the following community-based organizations: Chin Refugee Committee (CRC), Alliance for Chin Refugees (ACR), Kachin Refugee Committee (KRC), Malaysia Karen Organization (MKO), Organization of Karenni Development (OKD), Mon Refugee Organization (MRO), Shan Refugee Organization (SRO) and Arakan Refugee Relief Committee (ARRC).

As COBEM, we are writing to express our serious concerns over the factual inaccuracies and unfounded accusations in the article, "UNHCR Affiliates Accused of Refugee Corruption", published by the Irrawaddy on 2 October. 

Firstly, COBEM organizations are not ‘brokers' as described in the Irrawaddy article.  We are independent community-based organizations working for the benefit of our respective communities.  Unfortunately the context in Malaysia is very challenging, as arrest, prolonged detention in appalling conditions, caning, and exploitation are a daily reality for our communities. 

Secondly, UNHCR has not delegated "the authority for issuing resettlement registration documents to Burmese groups based in Malaysia."  Such groups have no control over the resettlement process from Malaysia.  In fact, resettlement to third countries from Malaysia is by no means guaranteed for people from Burma.

Thirdly, community-based organizations like the COBEM groups collect biographical data about newly-arrived members from their communities in Burma living all over Malaysia.  This information is then passed to the UNHCR, and added to UNHCR waiting lists for their registration and refugee status determination process, which assesses each individual's claim for refugee status. 

Each COBEM organization has a different system for collecting membership fees from their community members.  These nominal fees are used to provide a range of services to the ethnic communities.  Registered members are issued with a community card.  In the event of arrest, members can call on their community organizations to assist with negotiating their release wherever possible.  With the registration fees, COBEM organizations also provide a range of services to their communities, such as interpreters and assistance with medical fees in the event of hospitalization; support with finding employment; and education programs for children. 

While a UNHCR card offers some protection for registered refugees, unfortunately it doesn't prevent arrest or detention.  COBEM organizations compile lists of community and UNHCR-card holders held in detention camps, and send these to UNHCR.  UNHCR works to secure their release from detention facilities.

Refugee life in Malaysia is stressful and frustrating, as there can be a long wait for registration and refugee status determination by UNHCR, and not everyone's claim is accepted by the agency. As the first point of contact for those who wish to claim refugee status, community-based organizations often bear the brunt of this frustration.  The unfounded accusations and inaccuracies contained in the Irrawaddy article undermine the important work that community-based organizations do to assist their community members. 

The Irrawaddy has a strong reputation as an accurate, unbiased, independent news agency to protect. We therefore remind the Irrawaddy editorial team to carefully check the facts before publishing articles on the refugee situation in Malaysia.  We also kindly request the Irrawaddy to print this letter in response to the article, in the interests of balanced reporting.

Kennedy Lalram Lian

Coordinator

Coalition of Burma Ethnics, Malaysia (COBEM)

Kuala Lumpur 

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Callixte Mbarushimana in an INTERPOL Red Notice, or international wanted persons notice

11 October 2010 - A Rwandan rebel leader was arrested in France today on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last year.

The ICC, to which the situation in the DRC was referred by that country's Government in 2004, said there are reasonable grounds to believe that Callixte Mbarushimana, the first senior leader arrested by the ICC for massive crimes in the DRC's Kivu provinces, is criminally responsible for 11 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape, attacks against civilians, destruction of property, inhuman treatment and persecution.

ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo thanked France for a smooth and efficient operation, describing the arrest as a "crucial step in efforts to prosecute the massive sexual crimes committed in the DRC," where over 15,000 cases of sexual violence were reported in 2009 alone.

"We are grateful to the French authorities for executing the arrest warrant and we are thankful for the excellent cooperation of the many parties involved in the investigation, including France, Germany, the DRC and Rwanda. This is a clear example of positive complementarity in action," he said.

As late as this past August, Mr. Mbarushimana's Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda - Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi (FDLR-FCA) was involved in the commission of more than 300 rapes in North Kivu province, yet he blatantly continued to refute any allegation against his movement, the ICC said in a news release.

Since 2007, the 47-year-old Rwandan, has been Executive Secretary of the FDLR-FCA, and committed the alleged crimes in both North and South Kivu in conflicts with the Congolese and Rwandan militaries, at a time when the DRC army was sometimes operating in conjunction with the United Nations mission there.

"This is a very important signal to all perpetrators in the DRC that crimes of sexual violence are not tolerated and that the international community is fully committed to bringing these individuals to justice," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Margot Wallström said in a statement.

After last week's arrest by the UN mission (MONUSCO) and Congolese forces of ‘Lieutenant Colonel' Mayele of the Mai Mai Cheka rebel group, alleged to have directed the rape of over 300 people in Walikale, North Kivu, in July and August, "we hope to finally see the beginning of the end of impunity for crimes of sexual violence in the DRC," she added, thanking France for its swift cooperation.

The arrest is the result of almost two years of investigations by France, Germany, DRC, Rwanda and the ICC, into the activities of the FDLR, the most recent incarnation of Rwandan rebel groups established by Rwandan Hutus responsible for the 1994 genocide of Tutsis and Hutu moderates in Rwanda.

Fleeing to the DRC, they regrouped, organized and launched attacks on Rwanda, with the goal of removing its new government through violence. "Their activities contributed to triggering the two Congo wars, 1996-2002, which resulted in an estimated 4 million victims, the largest number of civilian casualties since the Second World War," the ICC said. "Since then, the FDLR has continued to commit horrific crimes against the civilian population.

"In 2009, the FDLR leadership decided to attack civilians in the North and South Kivu provinces in order to create a massive humanitarian catastrophe; the FDLR then tried to blackmail the international community and to extort concessions of political power, in exchange for ending the atrocities. As a result of this deadly blackmail, victims were killed, raped, and forcibly displaced, and entire villages were razed to the ground."

Mr. Moreno-Ocampo said the arrest could be an opportunity to finally demobilize the group led by those responsible for the genocide. "Their leaders are gone. This is a good day for the victims. This is a good day for justice," he added. "But there is still a lot to do to break the cycle of impunity in the DRC.

"Callixte Mbarushimana is in custody. But another commander sought by the ICC for massive crimes, Bosco Ntaganda, is still at large in Goma [North Kivu's capital] and his forces roam the Kivus killing and raping. He must be next."

Mr. Mbarushimana's case is the fourth on atrocities in the DRC before the ICC.

DR Congo warlord's trial to resume, ICC appeals chamber rules

Source: UN News Service

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ARAKANLAND

8 October 2010 - The survivors of heinous acts of terrorism were the focus today as the United Nations hosted the screening of an award-winning documentary by a man whose wedding in Amman, Jordan, was transformed into a bloody massacre by an Al-Qaida suicide bomber.

"All too often, the voices of the terrorists have drowned out the voices of the victims," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the screening of ‘Killing in the Name,' by Ashraf Al-Khaled, who was celebrating the happiest day of his life when the bomber walked into his 2005 wedding and killed his father and 26 other family members. "Now, I am glad to say, that is changing."

After rising from that horrific tragedy, Mr. Ashraf has been active to give voice to victims of terrorism and the film, which won Best Documentary Film at the LA Shorts Fest 2010 in Los Angeles, follows his quest to speak with victims and perpetrators and expose the true cost of terrorism.

From an Al-Qaida recruiter, to a militant behind one of the world's worst terrorist attacks, to a madrassa full of boys ready to follow, Mr. Ashraf journeys around the world to see if one man can speak truth to terror, and begin to turn the tide.

Participating in a post-screening panel discussion were two other victims of terrorist attacks, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Senior Programme Advisor Carla Khammar, who survived the attack on the UN compound in Algiers in 2007, but not without trauma and suffering, and the film's Executive Producer Carie Lemack, who lost her mother during the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York in 2001.

"The survivors who stand in front of you today are themselves an exemplary group," Mr. Ban said, noting that they took part two years ago at the UN in the first-ever international Symposium on Supporting Victims of Terrorism.

"And they are here again today to tell their stories, to bear witness to the appalling costs of terrorism, and to push us all to do more to put an end to actions that cannot be justified by any end, in any form, in any place, for any reason, ever.

"As hard as it is to re-live their stories and expose their pain, they are not afraid to do so if it means helping others to avoid a similar fate. We all have a lot to learn from them," he added, stressing how the powerful documentary shows not only what happened to Mr. Khaled, but how he transformed his personal horror into a mission of change.

"Even though we weep each time, we must also wipe away our tears and maintain our focus - on our efforts to put an end to this suffering and our work to rid the world of this scourge. We must each, whether government, international civil servant or individual citizen, uphold our obligations to the victims," Mr. Ban concluded.

News Tracker: past stories on this issue

Security Council stresses need for collective action to combat terrorism

Source: UN News Service

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ARAKANLAND

Judge Dennis Byron, President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

8 October 2010 - The United Nations tribunals trying those alleged to have committed atrocities in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda are making good progress in completing their work, but their efforts are being hampered by a lack of resources and the departure of some of their most experienced staff, the heads of the two bodies said today.

"In all our efforts, we are facing one main stumbling block: the staffing situation," Judge Dennis Byron, President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), told the General Assembly, as he presented the annual report of the court.

"We continue to lose many of our best and most experienced staff members, often to other institutions in the same field where they can obtain longer-term contracts," he said, noting that 167 staff members left the Tribunal between July 2009 and June 2010.

Judge Byron stressed that the Tribunal's staff is an indispensable element of completing the work of the Tribunal, which was created in November 1994 to prosecute people responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in Rwanda that year. Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were murdered, mostly by machete, in just 100 days.

Despite major obstacles, including staffing, the Tribunal - based in the Tanzanian city of Arusha - has made "significant progress" in the completion of its mandate, Judge Byron reported, adding that judgement delivery in all of the ongoing or commencing cases at trial level is expected before the end of 2011.

"I am convinced that what we have achieved so far gives you the confidence and trust to provide us with the necessary resources to complete our mandate expeditiously during this and the next biennium."

The departure of highly experienced staff for more secure employment elsewhere has also impacted the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), its President, Judge Patrick Robinson, told the 192-member body.

"Experienced staff continue to leave the Tribunal at an alarming rate," he reported, adding that while the court has increased its trial capacity from six trials simultaneously to conducting ten trials, it has not seen a comparative increase in its resources.

Judge Robinson also noted that, in the past, the UN has wound up administrative bodies such as peacekeeping operations, and has therefore developed a practice and a culture with regard to the exit strategy for such bodies.

"But the Tribunal is not an administrative body," he pointed out. "It is a court of law, and as such it will always be prone to a certain degree of unforeseeability, which is a natural element in most kinds of judicial work, and particularly in trials as complicated as those at the Tribunal.

"The Tribunal cannot be wound up as though it were a bakery producing bread. It can only be wound up properly with appropriate sensitivity to the judicial character of its work."

In spite of the difficulties, Judge Robinson highlighted some of the achievements of the Tribunal, which is based in The Hague and set up to try those responsible for the atrocities committed during the Balkan wars of the 1990s, and called on Member States to assist efforts to bring its work to a close expeditiously and fairly.

"It was not so long ago that international criminal justice was but a dream in the minds of those striving for a safer and more just world. But now the dream has been realized," he noted.

"The Tribunal has demonstrated to the international community that international humanitarian law is an enforceable body of law; that it binds the conduct of the most senior State officials; and that the rule of law is a living, breathing reality that forms part of the fabric of our civilization."

UN picks new judge for World Court, extends terms of judges for war crimes tribunals

Source: UN News Service

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ARAKANLAND

Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Disability Service &Multicultural Affairs

Level 6, Neville Bonner Building

75 William Street, Brisbane, Qld-4000.

Dear Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk,

We are writing you this Statement as Arakanese (Rakhine) community from Burma to ask the right to share experience and equal participation in society. Australia Government committed to practice Multiculturalism diversity for new migrants. Brisbane council initiated to celebrate ethnic cultures programme without proper advice from ethnic people from Burma.  

However, we concerned with a published poster from Brisbane City Council (BCC) in regards to "A celebration of the ethnic cultures from Burma". You may or may not be aware that celebration committee or organiser has used the term ethnic for Rohingya on the poster. Rohingya is not an ethnic group from Burma. Majority Rohingya are illegal Bangalee migrant from Bangladesh.

There are eight major ethnic groups in Burma such as Burmese, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Kayah (Karenie), Mon, Rakhine, Shan and many other small native ethnic groups.

 However, the committee or organizers decision to use the word "ethnic" is deeply insulting to the people of Burma and wider Burmese communities in Australia.  The poster would become as documentation in recognition of political and historical contest. This issue may result in misunderstanding and conflict among the ethnic groups of Burma. Furthermore, they had insulted the Kayah (Karenee), Mon Rakhine communities three of major ethnic by neglecting to include on the poster which exemplify their complete this empowerment and silence in the problematic ethnic conflict.

To clarify the matter, we wish give you an example.  "If Indonesian migrant and settled in northern coastal region in Australia demand from Australia government, that they wish to be recognized as an Indigenous ethnic of Australia.  Would this demand be reasonable or acceptable to wider Australian communities? Likewise, Rohingya are illegal migrant in Burma and are demanding to be recognized as one of the Indigenous ethnic group of Burma.

Therefore we are strongly protesting the use of "ethnic" term for Rohingya and should immediately be withdrawn

 We contacted Brisbane City Council to clear understand the matter peacefully. BCC ignore our request and did not confirm any official response in to the matter.

Yours Sincerely,

Ta Tun Oo

On behalf of Rakhine community in Brisb

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ARAKANLAND

Dear BBC:

I listened to your interview with U Tun Khin, the Chairman of the Rohingya Association of Britain on the morning Burmese program of September 1st, 2010. There are two dimensions in this case. We don't deny these Muslims have faced severe suppressions in the northern Arakan by the Burmese military. However, they are not only ethnic group under brutal oppression of the junta. We are wondering why the world's famous medias are more concerned with Rohingya than other ethnic minorities.
 
To recognize "Rohingya" as a national indigenous people is a different issue. These people were descendents of the Bengali agricultural laborers in the British colonial period. I have historically proved that. You can read my article in "SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research 3-2." I am ready to debate with any scholar on this topic. They came to live in Arakan State in the colonial period. The Arakanese people welcomed. After the Second World War, they were the majority in that area and before the declaration of independence they demanded the area to be incorporated into East Pakistan that is now Bangladesh. When the Pakistani leaders discouraged their demand they declared Jihad on the Union of Burma. When they lost the jungle war, they created the term "Rohingya," calling for the "Rohingya State" for them. There has never been such an ethnic group in Burmese history.
 
I agree what the Congressman Smith said that after living for generations these Pakistani, Arabs and Indians became British Citizens. But these immigrants in Britain are not demanding a national territory. They are not demanding a separate ethnic identity, like Scottish, Irish or Whales. They are not calling for a national area of themselves even in the North Sea. They call themselves British. In 1947 these Chittagonian Bengalis demanded the partition of Arakan into two states. How would the native Arakanese feel if their ancestral land is divided to give away a part to the immigrants? I want to ask BBC and U Tun Khin. 

Sincerely,  

Aye Chan
Professor of History
Department of International Cultures
Kanda University of International Studies
1-4-1 Wakaba, Mihamaku, Chiba 261-0014
Japan
Tel. 81-43-273-2897 (Office)

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ARAKANLAND

An Advocacy of Pleader for Ashun Pinnyasara

https://secure.echosign.com/public/viewAgreement?aid=X6S25S36ST5DXJ&eid=X6SI78X53D4E6P&

On September 29, 2010,  Ashun Pinnyasara, 57,  was judged  to sentence eight years and three months imprisonment with the fine of 10,000 Kyats by 2^nd District  Court of Akyab led by Daw Wa Wa Tun, who serves as Deputy Judge according to the Arakanese report  from  Akyab.

Ashun Pinnyasara, a distinguished monk as Arakanese historian and researcher, was arrested by Burmese Army on July 27, 2010 and he was sued by seven charges.  And all his belongings which are Arakanese historical materials and documents were seized and his Maha Muni Buddhist Vihara was forced to close temporally by Regional Commander of Western Command. His beloved 150 orphans also sent to Maguey Division and Mandalay Division against the Arakanese Monks and People's will.

Before ordered verdict from District Court, 15 Arakanese Senior Monks from different Monasteries of Arakan sent the request letter to Commander of Western Command, based in Ann, Arakan on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.

Burmese authorities ignored the Monks petitioned  the Regional Commander for merecy.

Arakanese people said "This verdict is extreme and it shows that what the "rule of law" is. It's clarify Burmese Military government (SPDC) is one above the law".

Dr. Aye Kyaw, who is senior Arakanese and Burmese expert, also said that about concerned verdict of Ashun Pinnyasara "There's no rule of law in Burma. And this is visible to intend that Burmese authorities categorically suppress the Arakanese Monk with the order of racial discrimination'.

Dr. Ashun Nayaka, a Scholar of Department of History, Columbia University, New Youk stated his comment " This is not only absolutely insulting the Arakanese Monks but also all the Arakanese people due to lack of Our Unity and Strength'.

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