In May of 2015, hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees were stopped from entering Indonesia
by boat, while thousands more were trapped at sea without a country willing to accept
them.
The Rohingyas have been called the world's most “unwanted” people, and the most persecuted
minority.
In particular, the Buddhist Myanmar majority has been accused of human rights violations,
mass disenfranchisement and displacement of the Rohingya people.
So, why are Myanmar Buddhists persecuting the minority Rohingya Muslims?
Well, tensions largely began during World War II.
The Rohingya people in Burma, which is now known as Myanmar, were loyal to their previous
century British occupiers.
As a result, they were slaughtered, tortured, and raped by the invading Japanese and local
forces.
More than 20,000 fled into India.
When the British reconquered Burma after World War II, they gave the loyal Rohingyas a somewhat
autonomous region in what is now called the Rakhine state.
However, a few years later, Burma gained independence from Britain and dissolved the region back
into Burma, now Myanmar.
Further tensions arose in the early 70s, when Pakistan’s genocide against Bangladesh forced
ten million Bengalis out of the country, with many seeking refuge in Myanmar.
In response, Myanmar’s military dictatorship expelled nearly a quarter million Muslims.
Then, under international scrutiny, they agreed to repatriate many of the expelled Rohingyas.
However, in 1982 both the Myanmar and Bangladeshi governments passed laws that defined the Rohingya
people as non-citizens in either country.
Myanmar also prevents the group from travelling, attending state schools, owning property,
having more than 2 children per family, and ever potentially receiving citizenship, even
if born within the country.
In 2012, sectarian violence between Buddhist locals and Rohingya Muslims led to the displacement
of more than 140 thousand Muslims into refugee camps along the border.
The UN’s emergency relief coordinator has called these camps some of the worst in the
world, and most of their residents are still displaced today.
In February of 2015, the Rohingya people had their right to vote taken away as well.
The following month, the Myanmar government banned the use of the word “Rohingya”
to refer to the group, saying they were Bengalis (ben-GOL-lees) and should be identified as
such.
Even those who do escape persecution in Myanmar face problems abroad.
Thailand has been accused of putting the refugees on boats, towing them out to sea, and leaving
them there to drift to another country.
Despite attempts by international organizations to help the Rohingya people, the animosity
by opposition groups has made it incredibly difficult to find a place for the massively
persecuted population.
It is only through continued pressure on Myanmar and attention that they might find a glimmer
of hope in the future.
The question of whether Islam is a dangerous religion has sparked a lot of debate in recent
months.
To take a look at our video on the subject, click here now.
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