The Conflict in Western MyanmarMARTY SHANAHAN

Current Issues

Rohingya people not currently recognized by Myanmar Government

Living in a state of apartheid Many are displaced Widespread hate from other Burmese

Amnesty International called them ‘the most oppressed people in the world’ in 2015

History

Muslims have lived in Arakan/Rakhine area since 15th century Many left after Burma absorbed Arakan Many returned from Bangladesh after both were part of British

Empire More emigrated toward end of 19th century, before/during WWII Attempted to form own country after Burmese independence,

then wanted own state Some fled after both former requests denied

History of the tensions

When imperial Burma invaded, widespread rape and pillaging to the point that Arakan area was almost empty

Relative peace and prosperity during British Imperial rule Tensions built when Buddhists were marginalized and oppressed

in a way that Muslims were not, some initial violence WWII: British armed the Muslims to fight the Japanese, Muslims

used weapons to attack Buddhists Many Buddhists assisted the Japanese as a result

Where do we go from here?

Rohingya issues leave Aung San Suu Kyi’s legacy questionable, and the rhetoric used currently against the Rohingya by prominent religious and political leaders is shocking.

References

Beaumont, P. (2012, October 27). Burma’s leader admits deadly attacks on Muslims. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/27/burma-wave-anti-muslim-violence

Chan, A. (2005). The Development of a Muslim Enclave in Arakan (Rakhine) state of Burma (Myanmar). SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research, vol. 3(2). 396-420.

Leider, Jacques (2013). “Rohingya”, Rakhaing and the Recent Outbreak of Violence – A Note. Retrieved November 4, 2016, from http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs21/Jacques-P-Leider-2013-Rohingya-Rakhaing_and_the_Recent_Outbreak_of_Violence-A_Note-en.pdf.

(2012, July 31). “The Government Could Have Stopped This.” Retrieved October 15, 2016, from https://www.hrw.org/report/2012/07/31/government-could-have-stopped/sectarian-violence-and-ensuing-abuses-burmas-arakan.

(2012, July 25) Burma’s monks call for Muslim community to be shunned. Retrieved October 15, 2016, from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/burmas-monks-call-for-muslim-community-to-be-shunned-7973317.html

(2015, May 28) Dalai Lama presses Aung San Suu Kyi over Rohingya migrants. BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32925805

(2015, October 7). Rohingya most persecuted refugees in the world. Amnesty International. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org.au/rohingya-people-most-persecuted-refugees-in-world/