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The Rohingyas Inside Myanmar s Hidden Genocide by Azeem Ibrahim
Muhammad Yunus
One of the fundamental challenges for a democracy is to work out how to ensure the voice
of the majority does not trample the essential rights of minorities. Even as we applaud and
rejoice in the new freedoms enjoyed by the people of Myanmar, the country’s government
must face this challenge as it evolves from autocratic rule into a democratic state. The
tragedy of the Rohingya people, which continues to unfold in Rakhine State in the
country’s western corner, on the border with Bangladesh, will be its testing ground.
The rejection of citizenship rights for Rohingyas, denial of freedom of movement,
eviction campaigns, violence against Rohingya women, forced labour, expulsion from
their lands and property, violence and torture have made Myanmar’s ethnic Rohingyas the
most persecuted minority in the world. I humbly add my voice to the simple demand of
the Rohingya people: that their rights as our fellow human beings be respected, that they
be granted the right to live peacefully and without fear in the land of their parents, and
without persecution on grounds of their ethnicity or their form of worship. A government
must in the end be judged by how it protects the most vulnerable people in its society, and
its generosity towards the weakest and most powerless. Let not the good work of this
government be overshadowed by the continuing persecution of the Rohingya people.
I urge the government of Myanmar to end all kinds of persecution and discrimination
against the Rohingyas or any other ethnic and religious minorities. In addition, the
international community needs to take a proactive role to end the ongoing isolation and
persecution of the stateless Rohingya people. To end human rights violations not just in
Myanmar but also around the world, the commitment of all stakeholders, including the
United Nations, individual governments, humanitarian agencies, local communities and
donors, is essential.
In tracing the plight of the Rohingya refugees, this book shows that the Rohingya
refugee problem emerged out of a number of historical trajectories. It sets out all the issues
in depth, and explores some of the approaches that are available to us to alleviate the
situation—available to all of us, not just policy makers in the West. It contains a detailed
account of the problems on the ground, their history and evolution, and their possible
trajectories into the future. It also contains a great deal of hugely informative commentary
and interviews with leading international policy makers, academics and humanitarians
who are intimately acquainted with the many different sides of this tragedy and who will
offer unparalleled insights into how to move forward. I have found it a stimulating read,
