Introduction

We, the Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC), declare our commitment to the protection, dignity, and restoration of the rights of the Rohingya people, an indigenous ethnic group who have inhabited Arakan (now Rakhine State) in Myanmar since ancient times. For centuries, we have faced oppression, genocide, and displacement, and we stand today united in our pursuit of justice, equality, and self-determination.

The Rohingya people have suffered immeasurable atrocities: from the destruction of our homes and culture by the Burmese King in 1784, followed by multi-phase genocidal operations spearheaded by successive Burmese regimes and their accomplices since, which led to an influx of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to Bangladesh and other countries in the region. The final phase of the genocidal campaign was carried out in 2016/2017 under the pretext of a clearance operation against a staged attack on security posts, to annihilate the Rohingya from the soil of Arakan. This has forced nearly a million Rohingya to take shelter in Bangladesh, while thousands have been killed.

However, atrocities against the Rohingya have been ongoing in Arakan. Recent developments in Arakan and elsewhere in the country has put the lives of remaining Rohingya once again in jeopardy because the sister community (Rakhine), under the leadership of the insurgent group, Arakan Army (AA), has been spearheading similar campaigns and propagating a clear intention of making Arakan a Rohingya free state. They have been committing genocides by killing thousands of innocents, destroying Rohingya townships, burning villages, looting properties, livestock, etc.

These crimes committed by both Burmese regimes and their accomplices have been recognized in the international arena, yet justice remains elusive. Our history has been distorted and erased, but we refuse to be forgotten. We have therefore formed ARNC to advocate for the rights of the Rohingya, to ensure our future in a federal, democratic Myanmar, and to mobilize for our protection, cultural preservation, and full citizenship rights, and to determine our future by ourselves.

Our Vision

To make Arakan, under all circumstances, a conducive place for Rohingya to live in dignity, equality, and peace in their ancestral lands, free from oppression, with full rights and recognition as an integral part of Myanmar.

Our Objectives

The ARNC is committed to the following core objectives:

1. 1. Prevent Genocide and Oppression: To ensure that no more genocides or ethnic cleansing occur against the Rohingya people. We stand vigilant to protect the lives, rights, and freedoms of our people.
   2. Dignified Repatriation and Resettlement: To facilitate the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of all displaced Rohingya from refugee camps in Bangladesh and other countries to their ancestral homes in Arakan, with full guarantees for their safety and property rights.
   3. Promote Peace and Harmony with Neighbors, Especially Bangladesh: To maintain and promote peace, harmony, and constructive relationships with our neighbors, particularly Bangladesh, which has provided sanctuary to many displaced Rohingya. We seek to build mutual respect and cooperation, ensuring that regional stability and security are upheld for the benefit of all communities.
   4. Justice for the Persecuted: To pursue legal action against the perpetrators of genocide and war crimes, ensuring they are held accountable in both domestic and international courts.
   5. Equal Rights in a Federal Democracy: To secure equal citizenship and rights for the Rohingya in a future federal democratic Myanmar. We demand recognition of the Rohingya as an ethnic group, with rights to self-determination and participation in political, economic, and social life.
   6. Cultural Preservation and Revitalization: To protect and preserve Rohingya culture, language, and traditions, ensuring that our history is not erased. We seek to revive and promote the Rohingya language, arts, and heritage, passing them on to future generations.
   7. Education and Health: To provide free, compulsory education to all Rohingya children, ensuring access to both modern and religious education. We also aim to reform the healthcare system, guaranteeing free access to healthcare services for every Rohingya, with a focus on improving rural healthcare facilities.
   8. Eradicating Human Trafficking: We are committed to eradicating human trafficking in all its forms, ensuring that Rohingya men, women, and children are protected from exploitation and slavery. This includes dismantling trafficking networks and bringing perpetrators to justice. Through education, public awareness, and close collaboration with government agencies, law enforcement, NGOs, and the private sector, we aim to maximize our impact. Campaigns will encourage communities to report suspicious activities, support victim-focused organizations, and advocate for stronger anti-trafficking laws.We are also dedicated to combating the trafficking of vulnerable Rohingya by the regime, its accomplices, and armed groups such as the Arakan Army. Efforts will be made to seek support from neighboring countries and the international community to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms. At the same time, we reaffirm our commitment to eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
   9. Eradicating Drug Trafficking Within and Across Borders: We are committed to eliminating the production, trafficking, and sale of illegal drugs both within the region and across international borders. To achieve this, we will implement robust measures and foster strong partnerships aimed at preventing drug-related crimes, protecting public health, and ensuring the safety of our communities.
   10. Gender Equality and Protection of Women: To create a society where Rohingya women are protected from sexual violence, forced marriages, and gender discrimination. We will ensure that women have access to education, vocational training, and opportunities to contribute to their communities.
   11. Sustainable Development and Economic Growth: To promote economic development for the Rohingya, with a focus on modernizing agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, ensuring self-sufficiency and the restoration of livelihoods. We will advocate for a fair allocation of natural resources, prioritizing local communities in economic development.
   12. Environmental Conservation: To protect and restore the natural environment of Arakan, promoting sustainable practices, safeguarding wildlife, and combating the effects of climate change through reforestation and pollution control.

Our principles

The ARNC stands firm on the following guiding principles:

• • Justice and Accountability: Every perpetrator of crimes against the Rohingya will be held accountable. We seek justice not only for past atrocities but also for the structural violence that continues today.

• • Self-Determination: The Rohingya must have the right to determine their future, in alignment with democratic principles and human rights.

• • Solidarity and Unity: We unite all Rohingya people, regardless of religion, gender, or background, in our collective struggle for freedom, equality, and dignity.

• • Peaceful Coexistence: While we advocate for the defense of our people, our ultimate goal is peaceful coexistence in a democratic society where all ethnic and religious groups live in harmony.

• • Global Cooperation: We call on the international community to support our struggle for human rights, justice, and democracy. We are committed to building cooperative relations with neighbouring countries and the world, based on mutual respect and non-interference policy.

Conclusion

The ARNC is formed to serve the Rohingya people and their aspirations for a peaceful and just future. Our struggle is not merely for survival but for a future where the Rohingyas thrive as an integral part of Myanmar, enjoying full rights and freedoms.

We invite all Rohingya people, our allies in Myanmar, and the international community to join us in this fight for justice, equality, and human dignity.

Together, we will reclaim our rightful place in our homeland and build a future where the Rohingya people can live in peace, dignity, and prosperity!