Forgotten Crisis of Myanmar’s Rohingyas

The Rohingya are an ethnic minority community predominantly residing in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Numbering around 1.5 million, the Muslim Rohingya have been referred to as “the world’s most persecuted minority”. They have faced decades of discrimination and human rights violations in Myanmar, including restricted rights and denial of citizenship. This has resulted in a massive refugee crisis, with thousands fleeing to neighboring countries like Bangladesh and India.

Origins and Identity

• Ethnic group native to Myanmar’s Rakhine state (previously Arakan province)
• Speak a dialect of Bengali and follow Sunni Islam
• Majority living in Bangladesh and Myanmar, with diaspora spread across Middle East, Europe, India
• Identity and origin backgrounds contested and controversial
• Self-identify as indigenous to Rakhine state since 15th century
• Myanmar government views them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh

• Majority are Sunni Muslims, speak Rohingya language akin to Chittagonian dialect
• Dispute around origination – some theories suggest influx from Bangladesh, while others state presence since Arakan kingdom in 15th century
• 1982 citizenship law revoked previous foreign identity cards issued, rendering many stateless

Persecution and Discrimination in Myanmar

• Faced exclusion since independence of Burma (now Myanmar) in 1948
• Denial of citizenship under 1982 law excluded Rohingya as official minority
• Categorized as “resident foreigners” despite tracing Rakhine roots

• Stripped of voting rights in 2015, barred from education, healthcare, movement
• Reports of staged killings, village raids, sexual violence by security forces
• Over 24,000 children without citizenship or rights to attend school
• Estmated 60% of Rohingya villages completely destroyed by violence

Key Incidents of Persecution

• 1978 military raids forcing 200,000 to flee to Bangladesh
• 1991-92 military crackdown driving 250,000 into Bangladesh
• 2012 communal riots displacing over 100,000 people
• 2016-17 renewed army crackdown on villages

Current Situation and the Refugee Crisis

• Current population estimated around 600,000 to 1.5 million
• Mass exodus into Bangladesh following 2016-17 army crackdown against Rohingya

• Nearly 50% refugees in Bangladesh aged below 18 yrs facing dismal living conditions
• India not a signatory to UN refugees convention – lacks national law for refugees
• Thailand, Malaysia increased immigration raids targeting Rohingya refugees post 2015
• Plight of stranded migrants trying to escape by boat also pose massive humanitarian risk

Bangladesh Hosts Majority of Refugees

• Over 740,000 refugees arrived in Bangladesh from Myanmar since August 2017
• Additional 200,000 to 500,000 unregistered refugees likely in Bangladesh

Other Host Nations

• India hosts around 40,000 Rohingya migrants and refugees
• Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia host smaller Rohingya diaspora
• Saudi Arabia and UAE host many Rohingya migrant workers

International Response

• 2017 crisis drew global attention to Rohingya persecution in Myanmar

Key Concerns:

• Use of disproportionate violence against civilians
• Allegations of ethnic cleansing and genocide
• UN refers to Rohingya crisis as “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”

Global Recognition

• Bangladesh agreements with Myanmar aimed at repatriation have stalled
• India faces pressure over controversial deportation practices

Way Forward

• International consensus to pressure Myanmar for recognizing rights and identity
• Long-term solutions needed for safe repatriation or local integration of refugees

The human rights violations against the Rohingya in Myanmar amount to a grave humanitarian and refugee crisis. Resolving the systematic discrimination and denial of rights is vital for any viable long-term solution. Neighboring countries hosting refugees are faced with social, economic and political hurdles.