Aung Marm Oo (Executive Director) Tel. : + 66 (0) 816 736 326 Email : aung.marmoo@gmail.

com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2011

DEVELOPMENT MUST BE FOR THE PEOPLE!

Launch of the Arakan Human Rights and Development Organisation: A New Voice for the Arakanese Struggle Arakan State, Burma, has historically been one of the most abused states in Burmas history. Despite recent news about progress in Burma, the Arakan State still faces major social, economic, political and cultural oppression, but October 9, 2011 will mark a landmark occasion in the states history. Arakan people will be given a new platform to document and promote their struggles through the launch of the Arakan Human Rights and Development Organisation (AHRDO). The purpose of AHRDO is to inform the local and international communities about human rights abuses and the impacts of development projects in Arakan State. These include the Shwe Gas Pipelines Project www.shwe.org, Kyaukphru port www.arakanoilwatch.org, the Kaladan Project and several hydropower projects www.arakanrivers.net which have been initiated by the Burmese government working with overseas entities. These projects will have no benefit to local people and will destroy the homes of hundreds of Arakanese people, forcing them to be internally displaced. There is a lot of talk about progress in Burma, but we have seen little improvement in Arakan State where the majority of the population continues to live in poverty. We have established the AHRDO to help give our people a voice, says Aung Marm Oo, Executive Director. The official launch of AHRDO and its website will take place on October 9, 2011 in Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand. The press conference will be held at 1.30 pm (please see attached invitation for further details). Notes To The Editor: AHRDO believes that development in Arakan State should adhere to the following principles: Development must be participatory. Development must benefit local people. Development must be sustainable. AHRDO believes that these principles are most likely to be observed under a democratically-elected government in a Federal Union of Burma.

Organisational structure AHRDO is organised into nine Working Departments with each its Director, Deputy-Director, and staff members. Each Working Department serves a different role to contribute to the effective and efficient operation, leadership and management of AHRDO as stipulated in the organisational constitution.

Working Departments 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)

Board of Directors (Directors and Deputy-Directors) Aung Marm Oo and Tha Zun Khaing Marm Khant and Banay Htoo Oak Soe Khaing and Khaing Aung Soe Kyaw Khaing Htwan and Pan Nu San Warm Ko Naing and Pywint Phru Kyaw Khaing Wai Zaw and Aung Kyaw Marm Nay Marm Htwan and Marm Naing Htwan Mrat Swe Zan and Mrat Su Wai Zaw Aung Naing and Hla Yai Phru

Publicity and Information Department (PID) Research and Documentation Department (RDD) Health and Education Department (HED) Literature and Cultural Department (LCD) Human Rights and Development Department (HRDD) Environmental and Ecosystem Protection Department (EEPD) Organisational and Public Affairs Department (OPAD) Women Affairs Department (WAD) Finance and Management Department (FMD)

Advisory Board
1) Venerable Monk U Thiha 2) U Kyaw Han 3) U Khaing Hsan Aung 4) U Htay Warm 5) U Ah Oo Maung 6) U Aung San Thein 7) U Tha Kyaw Hla

By unanimous consensus and a decision by the Board of Directors and the Advisory Board, Aung Marm Oo has been appointed as Executive Director, which is the highest in position to manage and lead the entire organization. ********* For further information, please contact: Aung Marm Oo (Executive Director) Email: aung.marmoo@gmail.com; Telephone: + 66 (0) 816 736 326