Another anti-regime group withdraws from joint statement on Arakan

By Admin 27 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
27 May 2024, Sittwe

The General Strike Committee (GSC) has withdrawn from a joint statement issued recently by 195 revolutionary groups, civil society organisations and anonymous organisations about the situation in northern Arakan State.

In its statement on Sunday, the GSC apologised to the people, saying it had signed the statement due to procedural faults within the organisation.

“Our organisation’s name was included in the joint statement because of weakness in the procedures for consultation for consensus. It does not represent the views and standpoints of all the stakeholders involved in GSC,” reads the statement.

GSC continues to support the fight against military dictatorship in Arakan State, says the statement.

Though last week’s joint statement did not accuse the Arakkha Army (AA) of arbitrarily arresting and killing Muslims, it did call for a probe into allegations about the arresting and killing of Muslims by AA troops on the ground.

“There were reports of slaughtering of entire Muslim villages and snatching of Muslims in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships in April and May,” says the joint statement.

Citing the accounts of media reports and witnesses, the joint statement claims that AA forces torched the houses of Muslims in Buthidaung town at around 10 a.m. on May 17.

The ULA/AA issued a statement on May 24, saying the joint statement is factually inaccurate, and out of touch with reality.

The AA asked that any organisation whose name was put on the joint statement without its knowledge should explain so publicly.

The GSC said it would continue to study the situation in Arakan State to fully comprehend it.

Another group, Student Unions-Yangon, also withdrew from the joint statement on Saturday, saying that it had failed to verify the accuracy of facts included in the statement.

A social activist from Arakan State said: “Other organisations should also withdraw from the joint statement. Otherwise, the international community will misunderstand the AA.”

Some anti-regime groups have also advised against making statements and publishing analytical reports about the current situation in Arakan State based on unfounded and/or biassed information.