The NCUB Statement on Strife in Arakan State 1.

Together with the entire people of the Arakan State, we, the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB), are much saddened by the strife that has been taking place, since the end of May and the beginning of June, between members of the Arakanese nationality and those of the community, which has assumed the name Rohingya. 2. We have learned that the strife broke out because of the rape and murder of a young Arakanese woman, Thida Htwe, by three Muslim youths. However, the strife has assumed gradually the form of a racial conflict and we find that the increasing mutual attacks and killings have reached a stage to endanger seriously the lives and property of the entire people of Arakan State. 3. We may conclude that the reason is lack of proper measures to prevent the consequences arising from the Arakan State having a common border with a country like Bangladesh, which has a dense population. This is a valid testimony to a serious weakness in the practical implementation of Rule of Law, which is one of the directives of President of Burma (Myanmar), U Thein Sein. 4. It is difficult to regard this incident as arising from an ordinary criminal event and it is important to investigate the root cause of the problem and analyze the related and consequent conflicts in terms of law. 5. In addition, we would like to point out that it is vitally important to enact an immigration law providing systematically for prevention of recurrence of similar incident in Arakan State. At the same time, we would like to request earnestly the government, the entire people of the Union, composed of the various nationalities, and the international humanitarian NGOs to fully take care of and provide necessary assistance to the nationalities in the sea of misery. 6. The incident that has taken place in Arakan State, which is a constituent state of the Union of Burma, must be regarded as a problem of the Union and we would like to solemnly point out the fact that all of us, brothers and sisters born of the Union, have the duty to think deeply and endeavor for peace in the future of Arakan. National Council of the Union of Burma Contact - Joint Gen. Sec. (2), Phone: 66 84 456 5583 June 23, 2012