Announcement
 
The ARAKAN-BURMA RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NY-USA), National Democratic Party for Human Rights (exile) USA (HQ) and Arakan Rohingya Organization-Japan (JARO) are pleased to invite you to its First International Conference on the “Problems of Democratic Development in Burma and the Rohingya People" to be held on July 16 and 17 in Tokyo, Japan.
 

 Venue for Monday July 16 and July 17, 2007 (5 PM – 10 PM) Event:

Toshima Ku, Higashi Ikebukuro 1-20-10,

Toshima Kumin Centre, (Cultural Hall) 

Tokyo, Japan
 
The theme of the Conference: 
•              Human rights violations in Burma (including those against ethnic minorities like the Rohingya)
•              How hate-ridden Xenophobic Burmese literary works are stifling democratic development inside Burma and leading to ethnic cleansing of minorities
•              What can be done to address those issues?

 

This conference is specifically designed for all conscientious human beings that value freedom and human rights. Through scholarly presentations, slide shows, questions and answers we will explore a variety of topics that serve to illustrate why Burma needs special attention from the world community to stop its monumental crime against humanity.

 

Enrollment: To enroll in this conference, please contact the following:

Email < abrinstitute@yahoo.com > and

Salim Ullah  (Japan) – 090 – 4968 - 6779

Nyi Nyi Soe (Japan) – 080 – 5438 – 8999

Hla Myint (Japan) – 080 – 5015 – 2333

Kyaw Soe Aung (USA) – 414 – 736 - 4273

 

Speakers/topics/abstracts for the 2-day event include:

  1. Dr. Habib Siddiqui – Chief Guest (Director, Arakan-Burma Research Institute, human rights activist, author)

Topic: Human rights violations in Burma (Keynote speech)

 

  1. Dr. Abid Bahar, Professor, Dawson College, Montreal, Canada

Topic: Xenophobic Burmese literary works: A problem of Democratic Development in Burma

 

Abstract: For the past half a century, Burma’s people’s history has been overshadowed by its military history, symbolized by xenophobia and oppression. Minorities different from the dominating Burmans are being uprooted from their localities under the pretext of being "foreigners." Nowhere is it as serious as in the province of Arakan. In this paper, the report of the survey on the xenophobic works is presented and concludes that the growing chauvinistic literary works breed intolerance and aggression in society – factors that contribute to producing refugees. These beliefs and attitudes could also be the antecedents to the problems facing democratic development in Burma.

 

  1. Dr. Shwe Lu Maung, author of the books - The Price of Silence, Muslim-Buddhist War of Bangladesh and Myanmar – A Social Darwinist’s Analysis.

Topic: We, the People

 

Abstract: In this slide presentation, the author reviews mistakes of the multi-racial, -cultural, -religious, -ethnic Union of Burma. An analysis of origin of the terms – Rakhaing and Rohingya – is provided, along with a review of population size, Muslim political movements in contemporary Burma. A case for true republicanism in the yet-to-be released 2008 reformed constitution is suggested for uniting all races, faiths and ethnicities.

 

  1. Mr. Maung Sein (aka) Mohiuddin Yusof, President of NDPHR (exile) USA (HQ)

Topic: Problems of Democratic Development in Burma and the National Status of Rohingya People

 

Abstract: Democracy is not just a popular slogan about a political system - ‘by the people, of the people and for the people’.  Democracy is also about a life style that prepares its citizens to make sacrifice, show tolerance, respect the rights of their fellow citizens; and in turn, it also expects reciprocity from others. Such a system allows common participation and allows citizens to go beyond the parochial limits of race, ethnicity and xenophobic thinking. This paper explains that while Burmese democracy leaders have been working hard to fight against the military dictatorship, a large part of the leadership is only trying to gain their share of political participation by depriving the minorities. A case in point is the Rakhine state where some democracy movement leaders/members tend to ignore the Rohingya people’s legitimate rights in Arakan. They either try to discourage a common stand with the Rohingya leaders to fight against the military’s xenophobic 1982 constitutional act or outright deny Rohingya's citizenship rights. This paper concludes that to bring democracy in Burma, democracy awareness campaign is needed.

 

  1. 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

 

Abstract: Burma owes its independence to some brave university students who laid down their lives on July 19, 1947. It is education that produced those brave democracy-minded student leaders in Burma. Rohingyas, irrespective of how and where they are living today, either as ‘stateless’ inside the Arakan or as refugees elsewhere, are denied their rights to education. They have no future without a proper education for their children.  In this paper, the dismal situation of Rohingya refugee children is analyzed and recommendations for education are made so that they can become brave and uncompromising defenders of their rights to establish democracy, human rights, equality and justice in future Burma.

 

6. Mohammad Sadek, General Secretary (RYDF), Arakan and NDPHR (exile) Malaysia Branch

Topic: Rakhaing-Rohingya Reconciliation in line of NRP/ENC’s Objectives

 

Abstract: The National Reconciliation Program (NRP) was set up in 1999 by some opposition groups of Burma in exile (Thailand) to act as a platform to tackle ethnic, religious and political conflicts, and financially support initiatives that promote reconciliation, empowerment and conflict resolution. However, NRP and its offspring ENC have miserably failed to bring about desired result. This paper analyzes root causes of ENC’s failure and offers recommendations.

 

  1. Ahmedur Rahman Farooq, Saudi Arabia, author and social worker

Topic: When the sun will rise for the Rohingyas?

 

Abstract: The stream of blood continues to flow in Burma and the Rohingyas are the worst victims. The military rulers have been constantly defying all international norms and conventions as well as the resolutions of the world bodies including the UN. This paper reviews history of Arakan, including genocidal campaigns against the Rohingya. It offers a personal account of the author’s own exodus in 1978.

 

  1. Mr. Nurul Islam (CTG), Ex-Vice - President, Arakan Historical Society, Former General Secretary of CRCS, historian and social worker

Topic: The current situation of the Rohingya people

 

Abstract: In this paper a report on latest violations of human rights against the Rohingya people of Burma is discussed. This paper also discusses the situation of the Rohingya refugees in various parts of our world.

 

  1. Mr. Maung Sein (aka)  Mohiuddin Yusof, President of NDPHR(exile) USA (HQ)

Topic: The National Status of Rohingya People in Burma

 

Abstract: The founders of the Mrauk U rulers believed in multi-culturalism, compassion and humanity. Unfortunately, in today’s Burma, from ordinary people to some of the so-called democracy movement leaders there is a common belief that in order to be a Burmese citizen, one has to be a Buddhist by faith and Tibeto-Burman by race. This paper argues about the importance of proper education to change age-old prejudice to reducing the inter-ethnic tension and loss of human lives and promoting democracy and economic development in the Arakan.

 

  1. Kyaw Soe Aung (alias) MSK Jilani, General Secretary, NDPHR (exile) USA (HQ) and Former Deputy Diplomatic Representative of Arakan Democratic Forces (ADF)

Topic: Rohingyas under the International Laws

 

Abstract: This paper reviews various international laws, conventions and charters to protect humanity, and shows that when it comes to the Rohingya, the Burmese military regime is in violation of each and every one of these protocols. The author makes practical recommendations to stop the plight of Rohingya people of Arakan.

 

  1. Dr. Than Aung (aka) Mohammed Ali (UAE), President-NDPHR (exile) UAE – branch and Burmese Rohingya Association in UAE

Topic: A Short Account of the Rise and fall of Arakan and the Rohingya Community Today

 

Abstract: The internal dynamics to Arakan's rise and fall from its glorious status to its present disgraceful status as a refugee producing country are written all over its blood-stained landscape. Arakan's strength in its rise was its people's power, multiculturalism, compassion and the generosity of the kings. That combination allowed for a Rohingya Muslim to become even its defense minister in Arakan's golden period. Arakan's fall was quick when fear and repression of people became the order of the day. It lost its independence and became a colony of Burma. Only true multiculturalism can help mitigate Arakan's downward, slippery path to oblivion.

 

  1. Ustad Salim Ullah, President - Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO)

Topic: Rebuilding Rohingya Community through modern Education

 

Abstract: In today’s Burma, due to decades-old discriminatory practice against the Rohingya people, they remain educationally and economically backward.  In this paper, some practical recommendations on rebuilding the Rohingya community through modern education are suggested.

  1. Mr. Enayet Ullah, General Secretary of Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand (BRAT)

Topic: The Situation Report of Rohingyas in Thailand