Contact: Kelly Hengesbach, 571-257-7423, 716-939-0252

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2014 /Standard Newswire/ -- Today, the Arakan Rohingya Union applauded the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s decision to unanimously support House Resolution 418, which urges the Government of Burma to end the persecution of the Rohingya Muslims, respect internationally recognized human rights standards, overturn the 1982 Citizenship Law, and provide equal rights to the Rohingya by reinstating their citizenship. 

Introduced by Representative James McGovern and co-sponsored by 43 additional Members, the Resolution stands as a landmark effort in protecting the human rights and citizenship rights of the Rohingya Muslims who have suffered severe persecution and ethnic cleansing.

"The House Foreign Affairs Committee's vote today in favor of H.Res. 418 clearly demonstrates the US Congress' support for the Rohingya Muslims in Burma, and the Arakan Rohingya Union would like to express our deep appreciation and thanks to the Committee for its continued work to protect minorities in Burma from persecution," stated Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of the Arakan Rohingya Union. "Crucially, the Committee's vote today also provided unanimous support for overturning the 1982 Citizenship Law which will be a significant step in providing equal rights to the Rohingya by reinstating their citizenship."

While the Rohingya Muslims have faced over half a century of persecution, a recent influx of tensions in June 2012 brought increased restrictions and violence against the Rohingya Muslims at the hands of radical Rakhine Buddhist groups and extremist elements in the Burmese government.