We, the undersigned Rohingya organisations worldwide strongly condemn the assassination of U Ko Ni, 65, ahigh profile Muslim leader and legal advisor of NLD on Sunday, January 29, 2017 upon arrival at Yangon international airport from his official tour to examine the Indonesian model of interfaith.

U Ko Ni, a 1988 activist, was well known in Myanmar as a sincere, honorable, dedicated and patriotic man. He was the founder of Myanmar’s Muslim lawyers Association and had contributed the nation with his expertise in law. He was a strong advocate for peace, interfaith dialogue and harmony in the country. It is an irreparable loss for the nation.

We express our deep condolences to the members of the bereaved families U Ko Ni and Ko Nay Win, the taxi driver who bravely chased the murderer.

The assassination of U Ko Ni, is a reflection of how intimidating the situation is for those who are working for peace and dialogue, especially when they are from minorities or non-Buddhist religious groups.

We call for an urgent independent investigation to identify the motives and people associated with this heinous murder.

We also call on Rohingya people and all Muslims of the country to pray for U Ko Ni.

U Ko Ni will be remembered all times for his heroic struggle for the rights of Muslim communities and other minorities in the country, and also for his relentless fight for constitutional changes for a truly democratic Myanmar.

Signatories:

• Arakan Rohingya National Organisation
• Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK
• British Rohingya Community in UK
• Burmese Rohingya Community in Denmark
• Burmese Rohingya Association Japan
• Rohingya Advocacy Network in Japan
• Burmese Rohingya Community Australia
• Burmese Rohingya Association in Queensland-Australia (BRAQA)
• Canadian Burmese Rohingya Organisation
• Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation in Malaysia (MERHROM)
• Rohingya American Society
• Rohingya Arakanese Refugee Committee
• Rohingya Community in Germany
• Rohingya Community in Switzerland
• Rohingya Community in Finland
• Rohingya Community in Italy
• Rohingya Community in Sweden
• Rohingya Organisation Norway
• Rohingya Society Malaysia
• Rohingya Society Netherlands

For more information, please contact:

Tun Khin (Mobile):           +44 7888714866

Nay San Lwin (Mobile):   +49 69 26022349

Ko Ko Lin (Mobile):          +880 1726068413