Rakhine party comes out against UN committee resolution
The Rakhine National Progressive Party has denounced a UN committee resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar.
During the 67th United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee meeting, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern about the outbreak of deadly violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and the discrimination and human rights violations affecting ethnic minorities, especially the “Rohingya minority”.
The Rakhine State government issued a statement where it claimed that it had told the central government that taking steps to ascertain whether the Bengalis in Rakhine State can become citizens in accordance with Myanmar’s citizenship law of 1982 is important to build trust among the people.
The party mainly objected to the UNSG’s use of the term “Rohingya” and the remark that “deadly violence against the Rohingya minority” was unacceptable, said party chairman Aye Maung.
“The name of Rohingya has caused many problems and there are political games behind the use of the name.
“The government doesn’t accept Rohingya. The issue has nothing to do with religious conflict. International media’s exaggeration of the Rohingya issue may affect Myanmar’s peace and tranquility. We cannot accept their remarks,” Maung said.
Reacting to the UN secretary-general’s statement, a Myanmar government representative to
the UN pointed out that “Rohingya” is not among Myanmar’s ethnic groups and that the successive governments of the country have not recognised the group.
Anyone can become a Myanmar citizen if it is in conformity with the existing law, he added.
Riots broke out between Rakhine locals and Bengalis in Rakhine State on June 8, leaving many people dead and houses burnt. Though the situation returned to normalcy in late June but fresh violence began on October 21, causing deaths and destruction of properties.
