AN OPEN LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND

H.E. Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva

Prime Minister of

Date January 30, 2009

Your Excellency,

Subject: The Loss of Rohingya Boatpeople

We the Oregon Rohingya Society would like to place our concerns about missing Rohingya boatpeople as follows:

1. Rohingyas are an indigenous minority people of Arakan, the western part of Burma. They are victims of large scale persecutions under the present military rulers. These helpless Rohingyas have squarely and constantly been facing oppressive dimensions including denial of citizenship, forced expulsion from their homeland, internal displacement and forced relocation, limitation of religious practices,  land confiscation, high taxation and extortion, restriction of trading and economy, arbitrary arrest, dishonoring womenfolk, torture and extra judicial killings, restriction on education, healthcare and marriage. Their plight has been beyond measure as tyrant rulers have long perpetrated the total extermination policies against Rohingyas. The institutionalized discriminations and systematic repressions compelled them to leave their ancestral land for safety and protection whether by legal or illegal means.

1. Thai Authorities have recently captured hundred of Rohingyas entering by sea in Thai territorial water. Thai navy personnel questioned, tortured and abandoned them in the high sea by removing or disabling the engine from the boat, tying the hands of boatpeople, leaving insufficient food and water supplies for them. This tragedy is intentionally planned and executed by Thai authorities so that the helpless people will die in the sea and will be unable to return to the shore. It is estimated that there were about five hundred people who have been missing or disappeared as a result of setting adrift by Thai navy. It is beyond our thought and mind that Thailand will ever commit such inhuman and irresponsible act being a worldly known people as compassionate and tolerant. It is very unfortunate to observe such a cruelty from a democratic nation whereas human right practices, international laws and standards are questionable for international communities. We strongly protest the unacceptable actions of Thai authorities.

III.      The influx of Rohingyas in different countries is origin to the repressive policies of Burmese military towards its ethnic minority (Rohingya). It is crucial to address the issue to its root cause to avoid such untoward incident.

Thailand

recently took a decision for the Rohingya people that is very much similar with its neighbor’s dictator that sent the wave of shock and surprise to concerned people of the globe. Subsequently it has created negative image for

Thailand

to some extent among international communities around the world. We honestly believe that the Rohingya problem is regional that needs the involvement of all ASEAN nations, other major countries, communities and organizations as

United States

, European Unions, United Nations and OIC for a durable permanent solution. Failure to reach a permanent solution for Rohingyas restoring their basic and citizen rights, safety and security in their motherland will continue to take place such man-made catastrophes in the future.

In assessment of the above statements, we collectively request the followings:

1. To stop abandoning boatpeople in high sea that causes loss of  lives;
2. To stop torturing, whipping and drying up the boat people over the hot sands of the beach;
3. To cease any repatriation of Rohingyas to Burma as their lives will be in danger possibly killed by Burmese authorities;
4. To allow access to United Nation High Commissioners for Refugees (UNGHCR) to decide their status;
5. To investigate the cause of death of Rohingyas and bring them to the justice for their deliberate crimes;
6. To seek permanent solution for decades old Rohingya problem by participating regional and international communities.

Best regards,

Reza Uddin

President

Oregon

Rohingya Society

15383 SW 122nd Ave

Tigard, OR 97224

Contact no: 503-807-1352

Media Contact: info@orsusa.org