A Historic Moment with President Obama and Team
(Friday, 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM, 14-11-14, Yangon, Myanmar)
(Friday, 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM, 14-11-14, Yangon, Myanmar)
US President Barack Obama said that ethnic Rohingya are not illegal immigrants, they are from here (Myanmar), they have been living here for a long long time ago and they need to be accepted as citizens of Myanmar.
President Obama had a roundtable meeting with fifteen representatives
discussed from different perspectives.
For the sake of peace and development of Rakhine State and Myanmar as a whole, I discussed about 140,000 IDPs of Rakhine State (caused by 2012 violences), human rights violations because of different faith and race including Rohingya. Myanmar citizenship cards contain race and religion name although there is no specific description about it in Myanmar citizenship law. Thus, citizenship card becomes not only an ID but also a license to be discriminated against race & religion. Therefore, citizenship card without race & religion and with national identity will be better for all people of Myanmar specially ethnic minorities. I explained that we Rohingya people are not illegal immigrants but indigenous people of Arakan. We have been living peacefully with Rakhine, Kaman and other ethnics for several centuries. Therefore, we enjoyed with full citizenship rights since we got independence in 1948. According to 1982 Citizenship Law of Myanmar, we are already in Myanmar before 1823, which is a reference year of eligibility for bona-fide citizenship and we have strong evidences for that. But our people are denied for citizens’ fundamental rights. The worst is Rohingya are accused as illegal immigrants and a threat to the Union. As a community representative,
In response to a discussion of a participant, President Obama said that ethnic Rohingya are not illegal immigrants, they are from here (Myanmar), they have been living here for a long long time ago and they need to be accepted as citizens of Myanmar.
During the discussion, President Obama urged all people of Myanmar to work under National Identity “Myanmar” for development of Myanmar. There should be no violence and discrimination because of different faith and race. Everyone must be able to enjoy with their faith and culture. President explained diversity of New York lifestyle. President also explained that H.E urged to Myanmar President H.E U Thein Sein all ethnic groups treated equally in democracy, only one ethnic group should not be protected and all must be accepted as citizens of Myanmar. There are many more discussions by other representatives
President Obama & Team includes Amb. Susan Rice (National Security Advisor), Ben Rhodes (Assistant to President and Deputy National Security Advisor) and Derek Mitchell (US Ambassador to Myanmar). Our Team includes U Aung Myo Min (Equality Myanmar), U Kyaw Min Swe (Interim Press Council), U Reverend Samson (Kachin Baptist Network), Daw Saw Khin Tint (Rakhine Literature and Culture Association), Daw Nwe Zin Win (Pyi Gyi Khin), U Bo Bo Aung (Dawei Development Association), Daw Nge Nge Aye Maung (Association of Myanmar Disabled Women Affairs), Daw Khin Lay (Triangle Women Support Group), U Thein Aung (Action Labor Rights), U Nay Phone Latt (Myanmar ICT for Development), U Lian H. Sakhong, Burma Center for Ethnic Studies), U win Nyi Nyi Zaw (People’s Alliance for Credible Elections Group), Dr. Kyaw Thu (Paung Ku), Daw Wai Wai Lwin (BadeiDha Moe)
The moment with President Obama and Team on Friday, 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM, 14-11-14, Yangon, Myanmar, is wonderful and historic for all of us.
Shwe Maung (a.k.a Abdul Razak)
Pyithu Hluttaw Representative
Buthidaung Constituency
Myanmar
Date: November 18, 2014
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