A social enquiry on the Rohingya issue
This month’s news bulletins are overflowing with stories of Myanmar’s Rohingya people fleeing violence and seeking refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh.
“Baby X was born nine days ago just after his family lost everything they owned,” a United Nations High Commission on Refugees report says.
“They burnt our house and drove us out by shooting. We walked for three days through the jungle. That’s where he was born,” said his father Mohamed, gesturing to the puckered bundle of life.
270,000 people have already fled their burning villages, according to this SBS report.
Now Rohingya Muslim insurgents in Myanmar have declared a one-month unilateral ceasefire to ease the humanitarian crisis in northern Rakhine state, BBC News says.
The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) said the truce would start on Sunday, urging Mynamar’s army to lay down weapons as well.
Arsa attacks on police on 25 August led to a ferocious military response.
Watch raw footage of the events on YouTube here:
New fires in empty Rohingya villages
See
What information do you have about these events? Do you know anyone from Myanmar/Burma? Or from neighbouring countries, e.g. Bangladesh, India, Thailand… How do they explain what has happened?
Judge
What do you think about these events?
What are others saying?
Pope Francis calls for end to violence against Rohingya (Vatican Radio)
U.N. Chief Antonio Guterres Urges Myanmar to Give the Rohingya Legal Status (Time)
Kevin Rudd, Aung San Suu Kyi Faces An Almost Impossible Dilemma. Don’t Give Up On Her. (Buzzfeed)
Britain Betrayed Rohingya After They Helped Them Defeat Japan in World War II (Muslim Stories)
Act
What can we do?
Donate to UNHCR relief efforts?
Can we ask our government leaders to take action?