Suu Kyi's Release Gives Hope To Rohingya Refugees

November 15, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The release of Myanmar pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, from house arrest has given new hope to the Rohingya people to be recognized as citizens of Myanmar and return home after years away as refugees.

Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia (MERHROM) president Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani said the Rohingya minority group hoped that Suu Kyi would be able to help them be recognized as Myanmar citizens and to enjoy the same rights and privileges as the other races.

"For years we have been denied our rights as Myanmar people by the ruling military junta, whereby we don't have the same opportunities and rights as others in the country," he told Bernama when contacted on Monday.

Welcoming the release of Suu Kyi, Zafar Ahmad was confident she would be able to fight for the rights of the Rohingyas based on her strong influence and leadership skills.

"Suu Kyi is a leader who fights for her people, and her struggle is not for any one race. So going by that, we are confident that we have chosen the right person to help us," he said.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 65, was released last Saturday after being put under seven years of house arrest by the Myanmar military junta.

The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic group from the north of Myanmar, started to receive shelter from foreign countries following political and social unrest in their territory of Arakan.

-- BERNAMA

Source: Bernama.
Link: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=543392.