Rohingya Community Ireland -RCI
Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic minority originally from Arakan State in the western part of Burma (currently known as Myanmar). Historically, Rohingya have been natives of Arakanese kingdoms for many centuries along with other sister ethnic groups, and became a part of Konbaung Dynasty of Burma after King Bodawpaya invaded and occupied on 28th December 1784 AD, and later became part of British India in 1824 until Burma got Independence in January 4, 1948.
Rohingya lived peacefully, fought bravely for Independence and represented Burma proudly. Rohingya have 33 members of parliament throughout the history from Lady Daw Aye Nyint in 1951 (one of the first two women parliamentarians in Burmese history), Mr Sultan Ahmed in 1961 (the minister of Education and Health) to current four MPs. Rohingya Language programme was broadcasted on Burmese Broadcasting Service in 1961 as part of Burmese Cultural programme. First and second prime ministers, U Nu and U Ba Shwe has declared Rohingya as one of Burmese ethnic groups and have equal rights.
After Dictator Ne Win took power in 1963, strings of campaigns and operations were targeted towards Rohingya killing and forcing thousands of Rohingya to neighbouring Bangaldesh in 1967 Ngazink Operation and 1978 Ngamin Operation as well as making southern Arakan Rohingya free zone. He also ordered to destroy and erase all Rohingya historical monuments, such as Sandkkhan and Musa mosques built during Arakanese kingdoms, implemented 1982 Citizenship Law which has taken away all rights that Rohingya had as native and citizen of Burma, making Rohingya into statelessness.
The law has caused violated numerous human rights- restriction of movement, restriction of religious freedom, restriction on marriage, restriction on education, restriction on medical care, restriction on public service, arbitrary arrest and taxation, land confiscation, rape, two-child policy and many more.
The law also makes Rohingya vulnerable to serious attacks from Rakhine ultranational, Government and extremist groups as witnessed in 1992 (Clean Nation Operation against Rohingya) and ongoing Rohingya ethnic cleansing programme started on 8th June 2012.
United Nations has described Rohingya as one of the world’s most persecuted people. Rohingya have been scattered across the globe due to the persecution and discrimination in the native land. The lives of majority of Rohingya exiled in refugee camps found especially in Bangladesh are no difference than the lives in Burma where restrictions and violation human rights continue.
