Transforming the Cycle of Violence in Rakhine State: Toward Inter-Communal Peace in Myanmar

The inter-communal violence we have seen in Myanmar’s Rakhine State since 2012 is a manifestation of the deep-rooted structural inequity and unhealed traumas that have continuously grown in scope and intensity over generations. Historical roots of the inequity and traumas include the colonial invasions and control of the region (in 1824-1948 by the British and in 1942-45 by the Japanese) and Myanmar’s own internal challenge in inter-racial, inter-ethnic relations and inclusive governance since its independence in 1948. Regardless of the historical grievances that motivate each of the communities involved in the Rakhine conflict to advocate its own voice of identity and justice, they must also confront a painful, inconvenient truth they share: a further escalation of this crisis would unleash a much larger scope of inter-communal violence, possibly destabilizing the whole of Myanmar and its regional context and causing all parties greater suffering. However difficult and unthinkable it may be at this point, all parties involved must adopt a decisive departure from their familiar modes of advocacy. Instead they will need to ask a different question: What would a viable and sustainable future of Rakhine State look like and what concrete steps can we take together to make this vision a reality?

Continue reading complete version here

-----------------------------------------------------
Tatsushi Arai, PhD: Associate prof. of peacebuilding and conflict transformation, School for International Training; graduate institute & fellow, Center for Peacemaking Practice, School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University, USA. He is a Japanese citizen, an independent social scientist, and a peacebuilding practitioner with extensive practical experience in diverse conflict-affected societies. Email: tatsushi.arai@sit.edu.

Source of picture can be seen here

Naturalized Citizenship for Rohingya, Why?

Even though Myanmar government is talking with ethnic arm groups to get peace in Burma,Rohingyas are not included there. The future of Rohingya’s is uncertain. Violence against Muslim is still happening with total impunity. Humanitarian aids are still blocked for Rohingya IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) camps. People are starving and dying every day in the camps. Many Rohingya have to flee from their country. Now it is appearing as a regional problem.Some refugee in Rakhine state  are forcibly move to new shelters which is even worse than previous camps near the sea where is the cyclone effected area aiming to settle permanently them. They are facing total annihilation in their own land.It is almost one and half year now, until today we don’t see any step to taking by the government to give security, to access education, health and livelihood and resettlement for the IDPs.

Nowadays the Burmease government has suggested that they might allow Rohingya to apply for naturalized citizenship under the 1982 citizenship law, which is contrary with universality of Human rights,to satisfy the foreign pressure .And also some countries have said that they could support this plan. When we spoke to representatives from the USA, Britain, France and, even EU office from Yangon they agree with that. They tried to encourage Rohingya to accept naturalized citizen.

That is not the right solution because they had been already full citizen of Burma with the status of indigenous. This citizen was stripped of after 1982 citizenship law was enacted. Again Naturalization under 1982 citizenship law in Myanmar is not the same naturalization with other countries like other countries have. Naturalization in Myanmar does not have the same right with birth citizens. They are restricted in political rights, economic rights, property rights and socio cultural rights. And also it can be revoke any time by the state. Naturalized citizens are like second class citizen. By categorizing Rohingya in this way it would contribute to even more discrimination, formalize Rohingya reduced status in society leading more violence in the future. ***

Author: Ma Wai Wai, is an activist and professional who lead young women network (Arakan). She has been concerned on women and justice for many years.