Springvale bank fire: Asylum seekers' lives precarious, say advocates

Source Theage, 20 Nov

They live on little more than $30 a day. Many speak little English and are not permitted to find permanent work.

Asylum seekers on bridging visas in Australia live a precarious existence, and most live with the anxiety of uncertainty for years.

Sister Brigid Arthur, co-coordinator of the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project, said she worried for the welfare of all involved in Friday's Commonwealth Bank fire at Springvale, in Melbourne's south-east.

But she called for compassion for the alleged attacker Nur Islam, saying government policies had "put people's lives on hold, not given them any kind of certainty or security about their future, and has them living in poverty and isolation".

Mr Islam, 21, a member of Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya minority, came to Australia by boat as an unaccompanied minor.

He is on a bridging visa after spending time on Christmas Island and at a detention centre in Queensland.

Sister Brigid said many Rohingya arrive traumatised after persecution. They speak little English and many are unable to find work.

Mental health problems were exacerbated by "huge anxiety" for the future, with some yet to receive a letter from the federal government inviting them to apply for asylum. 

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The simple room where alleged Springvale bank attacker Nur Islam spent his days. Photo: Justin McManus

Even then, it could take years to process their application, to decide whether they can stay or be deported.

The government had removed most legal funding, so asylum seekers relied on pro bono help. 

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Stressed and isolated: Refugee advocate Sister Brigid Arthur says asylum seekers are under enormous pressure as they await news on their visas.  Photo: Darrian Traynor

Asked what life is like for asylum seekers, Sister Brigid said: "I think extremely precarious. They suffer a lot of isolation, they are poor because they get 89 per cent of Newstart for an income to live on, not much more than $30 a day." 

Friends of Mr Islam and members of Melbourne's Rohingya community told Fairfax Media that nothing could justify the unprovoked arson attack last Friday. 

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Habib says more than 90 per cent of community remained on bridging visas, some for as long as four years. Photo: Justin McManus

But while the refugee had become increasingly erratic over the past few months, there were few signs of an impending tragedy as Mr Islam ate fish curry with his six Myanmarese house mates last Thursday evening.

One of Mr Islam's friends said he was under mounting strain after being asked by his family to send money back to Myanmar to finance an older sister who was recently hospitalised.

Founder of the Australian Burmese Rohingya Organisation, Habib, said more than 90 per cent of community remained on bridging visas – some for as long as four years. 

Few were willing to discuss their frustrations over fears they could jeopardise their applications for permanent residency.

"The government policy keeps changing all the time, which is causing uncertainty," Mr Habib said.

"Most of us want to just settle and begin our new lives, but we are in legal limbo."

Mr Habib last met with Mr Islam about three weeks ago at a Springvale restaurant and occasionally saw him at a mosque in Noble Park. 

Usually referred to by his nickname Habib Nga Dat Byar, Mr Islam was unsettled and had few friends, according to Mr Habib.

"We can only guess what sort of mental state he was in, but obviously his problems had nothing to do with the bank or the innocent customers," he said.

Fadak Alfayadh​, advocacy director for Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees, said the alleged Springvale culprit may not be a bad person.

She said constant rejections could "push people to breaking point", with asylum seekers having to cope with financial, employment, housing, legal and health problems, as well as anxiety over their visa status.

Ms Alfayadh has seen comments on social media "saying that maybe we should impose a ban on refugees because, 'see what they do', but people don't understand what that person went through." 

David Manne, executive director of free legal service Refugee Legal, said we shouldn't jump to conclusions about what caused Friday's tragedy.

We should seek to understand "what's led to this, and also what measures could be put in place for people who do reach a point of such desperation".

"The pressures people are under with this [applying for asylum] process are immense."

Mr Manne said asylum seekers lived "every day with this profound uncertainty about the future" but the erosion of their rights and the increasingly punitive aspects have "only added to the immense pressure people are under".

For help, call Lifeline 131 114, beyondblue 1300 224 636, SuicideLine 1300 651 251 or MensLine 1300 789 978.

A Memorandum to Burmese Embassy in Canberra, Australia

by admin, 

Today, we staged a demonstration in front of Burmese embassy in Canberra in the present of Australian Federal Police (AFP).

It was started from 9.30am and taken one hour long by reading 3 pages of statement by Habib and slogans by Min Min. 

Demonstration was joined by about 60 Rohingyas collectively from Melbourne and Sydney.

Usually, No staff from the embassy came out to take our memorandum but it was given to an AFP officer who will be handing over to the embassy..

...........................

our memorandum is as below:

We, ABRO would like to raise serious concern over recent arbitrary mass killing and slaughtering about 100 Rohingyans and ongoing arrests and force confession from Maungdaw township, keeping the Rakhine (Arakan) humanitarian crises alive, allowing to carry out genocidal attacks and various operations, vigilant racial attacks, continuously locking down about 150,000 Rohingyas and Kamans in ghetto type concentration camps across 42 locations and confining the rest about a million in their villages from June 2012, mass destruction of historical evidences and religious buildings, forceful expulsion, blocking aid and food supply, prohibit livelihood and compelling to die from starvation, denying their right to have rights such as medicare, education, relocation and movement, seizing and destroying residential documents and forcing to accept foreigner identity and not allowing to recourse under new citizenship act. .

After recent attacks carried out by unknown armed gangs on border police in Kyiganbyin, police outpost in Kotankauk, and local police office in Nhakhuya where equal members of causality occurred from both sides, the government forces instantly taken intentional steps of retaliation to annihilate the Maungdaw township resident Rohingyans from 9 Oct 2016 under the so call 'Land Clearing Operation' (Nay Myay Chin Linn Yay).

In this operation, about 100 Rohiongya involving women, children and elderly people from 11 different locations were closely shot dead, slaughtered in cool blood by military and security forces. Many of those taken away by security and military forces were also found in a mass grave with their hands tied that cleared how they been brutally killed. Additionally, gang rapes of teens by those taken away by authorities, looting goods and cash, extortion, expulsion from villages and blocking of food supply, are also recorded.

An estimated about 5,000 people have been displaced and now shelter-less after about 700 houses and livestocks in Wabaik hamlet of Kyiganpyin village, Kyet Yoe Pyin village tract, Nga Sa Kyu village tract and Ngan Chaung village tract, were burn down by security and military forces.

Despite the government officially denounced the armed gang insurgent for attacks and torching of houses, it actually government forces who shot civilians and torching of houses that were captured in the photos.

Despite Ms. Suu Kyi told its authorities to deal those arrestees by lawfully and requested not to compete by forces between government forces and armed groups, it is practically different on the ground. Her government does not enhance her authorities to act lawfully, nor taking action onto officials those involved in arbitrary and lawless killings, and for committing physical abuses.

Yet, Ms. Suu Kyi did not confirm the attacks but her presidential office's official statements and Burmese news agencies widely spreading reverse information by linking the attacker armed group with non-existing foreign group and fabricating false news, evidences and implicating Rohingya community.

It has been over four years now Rohingyas and Kamans of Rakhine (Arakan) state are totally excluded from Burma and trapped into the worst part of human tragic such as APARTHEID, SLAVERY & RACISM, EXTERMINATION.. For decades, Rohingyas have been oppressed, victimized and terrorized by the both government authorities and extremist Rakhine people that been recorded commonly in 1942, 1949 1967, 1978, 1991,1994/95, 2002 and the latest state sponsor genocide began from June 2012.

From 8 of June 2012, total destruction across (13) different townships of Arakan state, reached at (97) mosques, about (23,000) houses from (95) villages, killing thousands Rohingyans and Kamans and nearly 200,000 people displaced of whom about (110,000) people are in 13 to 15 camps of Sittwe (Akyab) city and the rest about (65,000) those from other 8 regions in 26 camps are in aid workers unreachable areas, and number of arbitrary detention reached at least 12,00 Rohingyas and Kaman muslims mainly from Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Sittwe townships.

In Burma there are so many organizations including Red Cross Society, Healthcare clinic but all are puppet bodies of terror government and not delivering services for Arakanese muslims. While Rakhine children are freely attending the government schools, the Rohingya youths those teaching Rohingya kids, distributing rations, Rohingyan language support workers, providing medical assistance in the camps, are instantly targeted by local authorities. So, many Rohingya youths have continued to flee into neighbouring countries. Government authorities pretend unable to interfere in local matters and also instantly blocking aid delivery and medical treatment for displaced Rohingya and Kaman victims..

The ousted Thein Sein government pretended to be uncontrollable and allowed to spread across central Burma therefore the attacks carried out in 26 locations of 8 different states that destroyed thousands of houses, killing hundreds of people, displaced more than 20,000 people.

Despite the Thein Sein government has characterized the events as 'communal violence, it was a well plan and the government’s involvement and contributions into the crisis were very obvious.

The latest target on Rohingya in Maungdaw township from 9 Oct 2016, is actually another propaganda to divert international attention on genocide and atrocities committed by government forces.

As we aware, the current central ruler of NLD has been following the same footpaths and tactics of the past regimes that keep routinely attacking of ethnic minorities such as Chin, Karen, Kachin, Shan and Rohingya.

When there are double numbers of government armed forces presenting in minority areas, and still carrying out attacks, the minorities lost hopes and the number of armed ethnic group from repression is yet to be grown in the future because it is only option to protect their respective own people and lands from aggressive military operations, tyrant abuses and genocide. However sadly, the people who are protecting own people from genocidal attacks are branded as insurgency or guerilla by central ruler government and Burmese news agencies.

Historically, the past government and now latest NLD, all of them have actually no strategy for peace, nor taken workable steps to bring peace and build trust with ethnic armed groups, But they are records of breaking ceasefire agreements and aggressive and offensive attacks thru waging wars and physical tortures over civilians that account for crimes against humanity.

The fact is that, the late NLD government's failure or not yet marched forward to achieve genuine cease fire, reconciliation with minorities and restoration of genuine federal democracy system. But, NLD re-conciliated with military and kept her military in power so that minority areas and their issues kept under military control.

NLD leader Ms. Suu Kyi forgiving military generals' the past crimes and now again favouring through achieving lifting blacklist of its generals.

We strongly urge Ms. Suu Kyi who is above the president of the country and led the NLD government and its authorities to uphold its afore said rules of laws and respect the dignity and rights of the entire population regardless of race, religion and colour and to ensure a free, fair and equal justice system is available to all.

NLD leader Ms. Suu Kyi has not yet condemns it militarily attacks on minorities, not yet achieved release of a single muslim political prisoner and yet to outline its plan on minorities.

NLD government must also install laws and orders to equally guarantee safety and security of the entire people of Burma. The NLD government must immediately halt all forms of ongoing persecution, oppression, restriction, segregation and vigilante attacks against minority groups; particularly the Rohingya and Kaman from Arakan state of western Burma.

The NLD government must take immediate action to prevent ongoing campaigns of racial hatred organised by radical groups, such as the ultra-nationalist Buddhist group MaBaTha (969) Association, which is supported by some politicians, ex-generals and their family members, along with some Yangon-based Rakhine people.

We are also disappointed to see NLD government and its authorities are forcing Rohingya and Kaman people to accept foreigner identity, seizing and destroying their residential documents and not allowing to recourse to become new citizenship even under 1982 citizenship act.

Practically, it is not the 1982-citizenship laws that stripped off citizenship but the authority who are intentionally reluctant to access the Rohingya's historical existence and ancestral evidence that prove primary evidence earlier than prior to 1824. The fact is that after British occupation of Arakan in1824, the repatriated Rohingya war victims of 1784 and 1794 Burman king invasion of Arakan, were miscounted as British era settlers by central rulers.

Like in 1978 and 1992, after drove out of Rohingyans and Kamans from their ancestral homelands, the authorities tactically started collection of data and those forcefully repatriated under bilateral agreement were branded as Bengali so it could be accounted by exclusion of Rohingya into national census as a creation official evidence for national population history.

We also would like to urge the UN and its member countries including countries those have business ties with Burma to join together in taking effective actions onto Burma's central ruler NLD government and it authorities to abide by domestic and international laws.

We, ABRO therefore demands the following:

1) UN to use force to restore peace and stability in minority areas including in Arakan state.

2) UN to use force to immediately suspend blockage of food and aid supply and grand special power to aid agencies to enable to supply food and aid on the ground freely.

3) UN to effectively pressurise onto central ruler government to immediately lift all kinds restrictions.

4) UN to monitor central ruler NLD government and its armed forces to abide by domestic and international laws.

5) To stop forcing and pressuring of Rohingya and Kaman to accept foreigner identity.

6) Immediately release of muslim political prisoners from central Burma and thousand of Rohingya prisoners mostly detained in Sittwe Central Jail, Buthidaung Jail and many other who are detained in police lock-up and military camps.

Thankfully,

ABRO

For more information, please contact;

Russel : 0438 524935 (Melbourne)

Habib: 0406 310077 (Melbourne)

Mohammed Amin: 0411 456400 (Melbourne)

Shujawuddin: 0411 378204 (Brisbane)

Sayad Kassim: 0423 764858 (Sydney)

Mohammad Sadek: +(60) 16 3094599 (Malaysia)

Maung Kyaw Nu: +(66) 98 842 0459 (Thailand)

Kyaw Soe Aung: +(1) 414 643 8001 (U.S.A)

Melbourne Communities Donate for Displaced and Isolated Victims in Arakan State of Burma

by Habib,

Australian Burmese Rohingya Organization has received donation total amount of AUD 4967 in three occasions from Monash Uni Islamic Society thru Dr. Rizvi Mohideen and other AUD 1700 raised from Rohingya community gathering during EID prayer.  

Food distributions on the ground were done by a registered local organization- "Myittar Resources Foundation" led by Sayar Chit Ko Ko Oo. We targeted to distribute this little donation to unregsitered vulnerable families and isolated villagers only  because they do not receive any ration from any agencies since they are compelled to be unregistered by camp authorities.

The first amount of (AUD 1420) was sent for 50 families of unregistered displaced Myebon township people residing in Sintatmaw refugee camp (opposite of Sittwe city). Each family received: Rice 24 kg, Oil 2 litres, Sugar 1 viss, Condensed milk 1 tin, Traditinal bermicilli 2 packs, Ground net 0.1 viss, Onion 1 viss, Potato 1 viss, Bean 0.25 viss.

Second amount of (AUD 1292) was spent for unregistered 120 families fled from Kyaukpyu township and still living in other Sintatmaw refugee camp (opposite of Sittwe city). Food provided for each family are: Rice, Oil, Sugar, Traditinal bermicilli, Onion, Potato and Bean.

The third donation of (AUD 2255) was sent for isolated villagers of 60 families from Sintatmaw village (opposite of Sittwe city). This villagers are not displaced people but they are isolated from June 2012 and not receiving any kind of food supplies from anywhere..

Food provided for each family are: Rice 24kg, Oil 2lt, Chilli 0.5viss, Sugar 1viss, Noodle 2pks, Onion 1viss, Bean 0.5 viss, Condensed milk 2tin, Soap 4pc, Garlic 0.25viss.

The fourth amount of (AUD 1700) received from Rohingya community been sent for 300 families of isolated and displaced villagers of Apaukwa (Aafok) of Kyauktaw township. Each family received 9.25 kg of rice.

We acknowledge that there are the displaced Rohingya and Kaman people living in 42 locations across Arakan state numbering about 165,000 according to 2013 data, are ending up in systematic confinement in the hand of heavy persecutions since June 2012. Although aid supply and donation could not solve the existing problems, it is also vital to keep their daily survival while aid and food supplies are still in place with various restrictions.

Despite the democratic icon MS. Suu Kyi's NLD party led the government, there is nothing changed for Rohingya and other muslim population. Fleeing through the sea-routes therefore remains only option of escaping from such situation and or dying from starvation in home land.

We, ABRO therefore would like to encourage the Rohingya people and leaders who are in developed countries to actively look after own people who are ending up in homeland.

Burma: Rohingya abandoned by NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi

Source Greenleftweekly, July 11, 2016

By Habib

Right-wing Buddhist extremists.

The entire population of Burma supported Aung San Suu Kyi when she fought to get rid of the military dictatorship of Burma (Myanmar) during the 1990s.

She received tremendous support from all communities, including non-Buddhist ethnicities and Muslim communities. No one considered what her policy on other religions and ethnic areas was. People just wanted to get rid of the regime.

Suu Kyi campaigned all over Burma, organising and educating people living in remote areas. She formed the National League for Democracy (NLD), and issued a membership card with her signature to whoever joined the party.

Many Rohingyas, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, joined the NLD because they were the most oppressed people under the military government. Some were jailed for working with the NLD. They believed Suu Kyi to be the one to restore their livelihoods.

Today, Suu Kyi says she does not know whether the Rohingya people are citizens of Burma. Nowadays, she no longer speaks the words “unity” and “solidarity”.

No rule of law

We would like to see the government the NLD is participating in uphold the rule of law and respect the dignity and rights of the entire population regardless of race, religion and colour.

We call on the government to act in a timely and appropriate manner to ensure the safety, security and dignity of all people and to ensure a free, fair and equal justice system is available to all.

The NLD government must immediately halt all forms of ongoing persecution, oppression, restriction, segregation and vigilante attacks against minority groups; particularly the Rohingya from Arakan (Rakhine) state of western Burma.

We also call for effective action to prevent ongoing campaigns of racial hatred organised by radical groups, such as the ultra-nationalist Buddhist group MaBaTha (969) Association, which is supported by some politicians, ex-generals and their family members, along with Yangon-based Rakhine people.

MaBaTha, led by Abbot Thi Dagu and the radical monk Wira Thu, has been making wide-ranging attempts to destabilise the country's peace and harmony by preaching racial hatred. Such campaigns are illegal and contravene the current law, but authorities have taken no action.

Backing the Buddhist majority

Despite her accolades, Suu Kyi's party has not demonstrated a resolve to protect the rights of the most vulnerable people in Burma. Rather, her party has cleansed itself of all Muslim members who had been NLD members for decades.

Suu Kyi has sided with majority Buddhist opinion. She has been unwilling to address either the Rohingya crisis or other Muslim communities' plight. Conciliation began with Buddhist communities and left minority issues to be dealt with by the military.

Suu Kyi has never visited or shown her condolences to the hundreds of thousands of displaced people who are victims of state-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogroms. Rather she has remained silent and disregarded their plight because they are not of the Buddhist faith.

Since she was released from house arrest, Suu Kyi has picked up medals across the world, adding to her fame — but she stayed away from Muslim countries.

Before coming to power, Suu Kyi blamed the problems of her country on the lack of the rule of law. She also referred the question of the Rohingya to government, saying it is the government's responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the entire population.

Since becoming head of state, Suu Kyi has failed to uphold the same laws she once insisted upon. Suu Kyi has been reluctant to protect the Rohingya people from ongoing racist vigilante attacks. She has made no effort to ease the humanitarian crisis or to lift the restrictions across the Arakan/Rakhine state and minority areas.

Despite ample historical evidence and the recognition of past governments, Suu Kyi continues to ignore the Rohingya people. Suu Kyi, on behalf of the NLD, has even requested the United States ambassador not use the term Rohingya.

This is a manipulation against existing communities who are daily enduring the country's worst crisis. Suu Kyi's actions demonstrate that rather than standing with victims for an inclusive society, she always takes side of those sharing her Burmese ethnicity.

Suu Kyi's actions are difficult to understand. Her stance on a robust democracy has been stained.

The reasons are that, although a global icon for democracy, Suu Kyi has never believed in federalism for Burma, as she knows ethnic minorities do not want to live under the rule of the Burmese.

Backing the generals

The military regime's generals are taking advantage of her dislike of federalism and avoidance of the Rohingya issue. As a result, the generals have been able to gain much needed protection for themselves for the crimes they committed over the past 50 years.

After several meetings with generals, both sides agreed to allow the military to continue to hold three cabinet posts — defence, immigration and border affairs — and the interior ministry, in accordance with the 2008 constitution. Suu Kyi calculated the agreement was the best way to maintain the image of a democracy icon and Nobel Peace Laureate while sharing power with the military. It gives her no responsibility for the Burmese army controlling minority ethnic areas or the Rohingya issue.

Under this agreement, minorities' rights and federal democracy will no doubt be quashed by military power or languish in a parliament dominated by the Buddhist majority. This is evidenced by the recent parliamentary vote against Rohingya citizenship rights.

The Suu Kyi government's support for the military-drafted citizenship law of 1982 is an excuse to exclude the Rohingya. It has since been applied to the entire Muslim population of the country.

Despite the fact that Rohingya have become de-facto stateless people, they still have historical evidence and official documents proving themselves as native people of Arakan State.

However, the central rulers are reluctant to recognise their identities, allow admission of this evidence or provide citizenship rights. For example, the government has released Buddhist political prisoners, but gives no consideration to Muslim political prisoners from the central regions and Arakan State.

Suu Kyi has also appointed two ex-military personnel from Thein Sein's former military government. This action confused and disappointed the followers of other faiths.

Minister for Religious Affairs Ag Ko was the deputy minister of religious affairs under Thein Sein and only favoured the welfare of the majority Buddhist population. And Zaw Htay, who has spread violence across Burma since 2012 via social media, has been appointed spokesperson for the presidential office. That Suu Kyi knowingly appointed these two figures in her cabinet shows what she truly has in mind.

There is no reason for a government controlling the country not to restore and apply the rule of law. Yet today, we still see some politicians, Buddhist monks, famous icons and academics feeling confident to insult non-Buddhist minorities. For example, the Yangon-based actor of Rakhine origin Ne Toe starred in a movie called Stray Grass that openly insults non-Buddhist religions.

In another example, during the middle of the continuing humanitarian crisis in Arakan State, immigration authorities are conducting population checks in accordance with the demands of the Rakhine Buddhist people. At the same time, the government has provided complete assistance for hundreds of Bangladeshi Rakhine settling on Rohingya people's land in Arakan State.

The new NLD government is keeping the rigid policy of restrictions over Rohingya people's movement, health care, education, rations, livelihood and rights. It allows the continuation of segregation, divided law, oppression, persecution and mass killings. This has not only affected the Rohingya, but anyone of Islamic faith and other minorities. There are about 150,000 displaced people locked up inside ghetto camps across 42 locations in Arakan State and about 1 million people who have remained in systematic confinement since 2012. International aid workers are also systematically removed and threatened.

These people's rights have been taken away by the misuse of power. The actions are reminiscent of the treatment of Jewish people in Nazi Germany and are tantamount to genocide. The situation can be improved and resolved if Suu Kyi wishes.

International action needed

In this regard, the Melbourne-based Australian Burmese Rohingya Organisation calls on the international community, the United Nations and its agencies, neighbouring countries and developed countries, including Australia, to pressure the current government to:
• Install equality in laws, a justice system for all regardless of race, religion and colour, and take effective action against incidents of racial attacks and hate speech;
• End all restrictions, oppression, persecution, segregation, attacks and tyrannical abuses against minorities;
• Assist in the relocation of displaced Rohingya and Kaman people of Arakan state and other displaced people from northern regions to return to their villages of origin and provide facilities to rebuild their houses. Return properties and lands seized by Rakhine people and Rakhine authorities;
• Pave the way to equal access to public services such as education, health care and other welfare services;
• Restore citizenship rights for Rohingya and Kaman people and allow for the application for citizenship using access to evidence fairly;
• Stop the relocation of Bangladeshi Rakhine people from Bangladesh into Arakan state; and
• Immediately free all Muslim prisoners including those from Arakan state and central Burma.

We also encourage countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Britain, the US and Canada to scrutinise and block the entry visas of Burmese people who actively preach racial hatred and anti-social behaviours.

[Habib blogs at Arakan Diary and works with the Australian Burmese Rohingya Organisation.]

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