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