Who are the Rohingya’s?
The Rohingya community are a group of Muslims who currently live in Burma, and have had some of their ancestors live there since the 8th century. Despite this, they are seen as illegal immigrants by many Burmese people. The oppression of the Rohingya’s is at such a level that they have beendescribed by the UN, as “one of the most persecuted communities in the world” as well as “among the worlds least wanted”.
What’s happening to Rohingya’s?
Since 1982, Rohingya’s have been facing harsher persecutions and violation of human rights in Burma. Rohingya’s are banned from owning land, they are severely restricted in the number of children they can have as they are required to commit to having no more than two children. They have to seek for permission to carry out basic acts such as travelling and getting married.
In June 2012, sectarian violence increased between Buddhist's in northwest Myanmar and Rohingya Muslims and violence took an extreme form into ethnic cleansing. Villages, homes, mosques and Rohingya’s are being burnt, concentration camps are being constructed, women are being raped and children are being killed ruthlessly.
Persecution of the Rohingya’s has led to 90,000 being displaced and seeking refuge in neighbouring countries such as; Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia but mostly in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, an already over populated country refuses to accept any more refugees from Burma and have turned back boats carrying more than 800 Rohingya’s. As well as that, Bangladesh have also recently banned foreign charities helping Rohingya’s.
Politicians?
Sheikh Hasina, the PM of Bangladesh refuses to allow anymore Rohingya’s into Bangladesh as there are already over 300,000 Rohingya’s in Bangladesh.
Aung san suu kyi, who recently won the Nobel peace prize refuses to even acknowledge that Rohingya’s are citizens of Myanmar. This was quite regretful, as I personally viewed Aung san suu kyi as an iconic figure of human rights.
What can be done now?
If you are a citizen of the UK, you can sign the e-petition which aims to put pressure on David Cameron to act now.
If however you aren’t, then you can sign the petition to pressurise the UN:
Charity
Despite most foreign charities being banned from aiding the Rohingya’s in both Bangladesh as well as Myanmar, there are charities that are still providing aid. So if possible try to donate whatever you have, whether it be money or time.
Despite most foreign charities being banned from aiding the Rohingya’s in both Bangladesh as well as Myanmar, there are charities that are still providing aid. So if possible try to donate whatever you have, whether it be money or time.
A charity which I would recommend would be Ummah Welfare Trust.
This is a video, which personally touched me a lot. It’s constructed in such a way that touches your heart. Bless those who took their time out, to make this to raise awareness.
