Rohingya Migrant Crisis

Rohingya Migrant Crisis

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Rohingya Migrant Crisis

The Rohingya are a muslim ethnic group that resides primarily on the western side of the Rakhine State in Myanmar. From the 51,486,253 citizens (2014 census), it is estimated that one million is Rohingyas. They are seen as illegal immigrants from Bengali, although many have live in Myanmar since they were born. Much of this difference comes from the reality that Myanmar’s dominant religion is Buddhism. The country has seen for centuries the Rohingyas as non-citizens. This has allowed for the ethnic group to not have access to any education nor to be able to leave the country to try to start a new life. Apart from these national problems, those that are brave enough to flee, have tried to cross the sea to countries like, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. All have denied their entrance to the country and have threatened them as well. Now, many are stranded at sea with no way back.

ASEAN has a direct connection with the United Nations (UN). All charters created for a certain region of the world have to go in sync with the UN letter. Although the ASEAN charter is to be followed by those who are part of the organization, the UN Charter prevails over all others. In such Charter we find that one of its principles is, “to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;” (UN Charter). This means that everybody has the right to have a state. The Rohingya do not have such right. Myanmar is depriving them from having a place to call. Since the UN Charter has superiority over ASEAN, we can see that in the past two years ASEAN has decided to take action and look for a peaceful solution.

Since the past year, 2015, ASEAN has decided to take into action its objectives to promote “social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations” (asean.org). An awareness about this crisis has been risen and now there are negotiations in progress to decide how to integrate the Rohingya ethnic group.

As mentioned earlier, the Rohingya group are not seen as citizens of any country. They in Myanmar, but not full citizenship is ever given to them. In the late forties a law was passed that excluded them as citizens and in the early eighties through the militia junta, it was decided that Rohingya could not have full citizenship. In the nineties a new possibility was opened for the people of Rohingya. They could have what it is called “white cards”. This cards give the possibility of Rohingya to prove that they are citizens. Their rights are limited and it holds no legality, but they have a place to be part of.

One of the rights that the “white card” gives to the Rohingya is the right to vote. This right can be taken or given according to the will of the government. For example in 2008 and 2010 the Rohingya we able to vote, but in 2015 that right was taken away. This is because there is still a lot of dispute between the buddhist community towards the muslims. The first census done in more that thirty years is proof of this dispute. “In 2014 the government held a UN-backed national census—its first in thirty years. The Muslim minority group was initially permitted to self-identify as “Rohingya,” but after Buddhist nationalists threatened to boycott the census, the government decided the Rohingya could only register if they identified as Bengali.” (http://www.cfr.org/burmamyanmar/rohingya-migrant-crisis/p36651)

As a result of this un-humanitarian living conditions, many Rohingya has tried to find better living conditions for them and their families. This has led to create a problem in the seas. Many flee with no known destination or in hope of finding an entry to a country. Others stay stranded at sea. Chris Lewa a known Rohingya activist shared to BBC, "Unlike European countries - who at least make an effort to stop North African migrants from drowning in the Mediterranean - Myanmar's neighbours are reluctant to provide any assistance." (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32740637) This lack of help is in need of a major force to make an impact and create peaceful agreements with the countries envolved.

This migrant crisis has given the opportunity for activists to start playing a higher role amongst the Rohingya. Thailand has become a place for migrants from Myanmar to go, they have no proper living