UNHCR ON DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS IN RAKHINE STATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001413 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2015 TAGS: EAID PGOV PHUM PREF PREL BM SUBJECT: UNHCR ON DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS IN RAKHINE STATE REF: RANGOON 1185 Classified By: Poloff Dean Tidwell for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a December 14 meeting, the UNHCR Representative for Burma described its relationship with the GOB and UNHCR's access to northern Rakhine State and to the eastern border with Thailand (septel). UNHCR works primarily with the Ministry of Immigration and military commanders in Rakhine State in implementing its humanitarian work for the Rohingyas. Of all the ethnic groups mistreated by the GOB, the Rohingya (Muslim) people of northern Rakhine State are treated most harshly, including the denial of citizenship. End Summary. UNHCR'S RELATIONS WITH THE GOB ¶2. (C) In Charge's December 14 courtesy call, the UNHCR Representative for Burma, Jean-Francois Durieux described UNHCR's relationships with the Immigration Department, a key GOB partner, as "very good," although the recent government move to Pyinmana has slowed progress. Both the Immigration minister and his deputy understand the situation in northern Rakhine State well from previous military service there. Durieux reported that the new Western Commander, though young, is experienced and is open to discussion, even on sensitive issues. UNHCR reps regularly bring up sensitive human rights issues with the Western Commander such as questioning restrictions on Muslims registering marriages or growing beards. ROHINGYAS: NO RIGHTS AND NO VOICE ¶3. (C) Durieux described the situation in northern Rakhine as "shocking," with the GOB in constant denial of the true situation. Although Muslims have some religious freedom in Rangoon, the GOB has a policy of "complete repression" of Rohingyas in northern Rakhine. He noted that Buddhist temples are "springing up everywhere," although he estimates the Buddhist population as only one percent of the population. While the GOB accepts that the Shan, Karen, and other ethnic minorities are part of the Union of Burma, it does not accord the same status to the Rohingyas. The Rohingyas have no representation in the National Convention process. The Rohingyas were permitted to vote in the 1990 elections and elected three MPs to the parliament that was never allowed to convene. At that time, the GOB required only National Registration Cards (NRC) for a person to vote. Now the GOB has issued Citizenship Cards, except to the Rohingyas, making it unlikely they will be allowed to participate in future elections. ¶4. (C) Durieux told of recently meeting an old Muslim mullah in Sittwe who once worked with General Aung San. The old mullah still possesses the document in which Aung San invited the Rohingyas to join the Union of Burma. Like the Shan and Karen, the Rohingyas never registered to be part of the Union of Burma, but unlike the Shan and Karen, citizenship for the Rohingyas remains out of reach. ¶5. (C) Other embassy sources confirm that discrimination against Muslims in Rakhine State is rampant, even in urban centers such as Sittwe. Many sources report that Rohingyas cannot cross township lines without permission (and it is routinely denied.) In early October, officials of Thandwe Township asked Muslim leaders if it was acceptable for Muslim men to be beardless. The pro-government Myanmar Muslim League Organization replied that only Muslim clergy are required to have beards. The local authorities then issued verbal orders for all Muslim men to shave. In October, at least eight Muslim men were forced to shave their beards in Thandwe Township. The Bangladeshi Ambassador reported that babies cannot be given birth certificates so cannon enroll in school and some farmers are not permitted to plow their own fields. University students in Sittwe report that the local university announced recently that students without a NRC will not be allowed to graduate. (Note: Local authorities stopped issuing NRCs to Rohingyas several years ago.) ¶6. (C) COMMENT: The GOB's harsh policies toward Rohingyas in northern Rakhine continue to drive Rohingyas to Bangladesh and discourage Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh from seeking repatriation (reftel). The harsh treatment and extreme poverty of the Rohingyas goes far beyond the routine oppression experienced by ethnic minorities throughout Burma. The Malaysian, Bruneian, and Bangladeshi ambassadors have singled out the situation of the Rohingyas as the worst they have ever seen anywhere. When we seek to build support for international pressure on the Burmese regime, we should inform other Muslim nations of the facts. End Comment. VILLAROSA