Burma
By: Deysi, Yessica, and Jackie
Background
 Burma is now known as Myanmar
 It’s located in Southeast Asia
 Population is more than 54 million people
 Has more than 100 ethnic groups
Muslim Rohingya
 Muslim Rohingya is one the main ethnic groups
 They are long considered one of the world’s most persecuted people
 Have no legal status in Burma
 Face severe discrimination, abuse and escalating violence.
Cause/Conflict of Persecution
 When the Japanese invaded Burma in 1941, Rohingya Muslims maintained
their loyalty to Britain, sparking decades of violence between the country's
Muslim and non-Muslim populations.
 Nearly 90% of Burmese people practice Buddhism, making Muslims a
minority that is often targeted by the ruling government.
 Separate military campaigns in 1978 and 1991 forced more than 450,000
Rohingya Muslims out of the country with systematic murders and arson,
according to some estimates. When many of them returned, they were
grouped into northern Rakhine state, where the violence hasn't stopped.
 Although the Rohingya can trace their Burmese ancestry back to the
eighth century, the government believes they came from Bangladesh and
aren't nationals worthy of citizenship.
The two sides/ Tragedies
 Rakhine Buddhist and Muslims.
 In June 2012 the rape of a Buddhist woman by a muslim sparked off the deadly
chain of events which landed in 200 muslims dead.
 In March 2013 an argument in a gold shop led between a Buddhist and a muslims
led to more than 40 dead and neighborhoods razed.
 August 2013 rioters burnt down muslim own houses and shops after police refuse to
hand over a muslim man accused of raping a Buddhist women.
The People
 They started to immigrate in hope to escape persecution.
 They migrated to bordering countries which are: Bangladesh, Saudi
Arabia, Pakistan, and Thailand.
 Most of the times they are denied entry into the bordering country, but
those who are allowed entry are spent days in refugee camps.
 Malaysia and Indonesia have turned away Rohingya by the hundreds
because the countries claim they are financially unable to accept them.
The Resolution
 Both sides want peace but cannot obtain peace if there
is no understanding. They broadly agree that peace
can be achieved in Rakhine State if there is adequate
political leadership, a commitment to the rule of law
that guarantees peoples’ human rights, a citizenship
process that is transparent, and a commitment to
development and revenue sharing.
Works Cited
 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Myanmar+(Burma)/@18.8536873,87.
637373,5z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x305652a7714e2907:0xba7b0ee41c6
22b11
 http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/why-burma-s-rohingya-muslims-areamong-the-world-s-most-persecuted-people-1.3086261
 http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2015/06/17/why-is-no-one-helpingmyanmars-rohingya/
 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18395788