Tragedy of the Rohingyas How long will they suffer?
The Independent Bangladesh (25-01-02)
by Hajee M. A. Kalam
Human Rights Charter of the United Nations declares that each and every human being must be free from any discrimination on the basis of race, religion, language, social or national origin etc. Moreover, from time immemorial it has been recognised that every man is born with some inherent and inalienable rights. But unfortunately in some member states of the UN, these inherent and inalienable rights are being violated in a most inhuman way. Myanmar is an example of violation of the UN Charter.
The rulers and the extremists in Myanmar have been perpetrating cruel repression on the Rohingya population of Arakan. Their objective is to drive the Rohingyas out of Arakan ultimately with this heinous aim in view, they are resorting to put all possible pressure on them including torture and killing.
Now, who are the Rohingyas ? Two major races were historically found in Arakan of Myanmar. The Muslim population have been known as Rohingya and the Buddhist population as Rakhine for hundreds of years. In the 7th & 8th century many of the Arab sailors who came for trading, settled in Arakan. Then more settlers came from the Moghul empire of India and the province of Bengal in particular. In 1660 Shah Shuja took shelter in Arakan with a large entourage and most of them stayed back in Arakan. Attracted by the simplicity, fairness and beauty of the Muslim lifestyle, a large number of local people also embraced Islam. These were the people who came to be known as Rohingyas. Their way of life was quite different from other citizens of the erstwhile Burma now called Myanmar.
The people of Arakan enjoyed freedom and ruled their homeland for centuries together when Arakan was a sovereign and independent state having 176-mile boundary with the then Bengal. Today, as in the past, Arakan was surplus in agricultural, marine and mineral resources. The Rohingyas prospered in Arakan and their culture and religion spread beyond Arakan. Rohingya Muslim population also kept on increasing. During the period of Arakanese kings, both Muslims and Buddhists, the two major ethnic nationalities i.e. Rohingyas and Rakhies, have been living in peace and harmony.
But this happy state did not last for long. In 1784 Burmese King Bodapaya invaded Arakan with a large army and occupied the state and let loose a reign of terror shedding innocent blood and plundering their properties. Thousands of Rohingyas fled to Bengal. Many of them returned to their homeland of Arakan after the British occupation of Arakan in 1836 and subsequently the whole of Burma. During the British rule, the Rohingyas comparatively enjoyed a peaceful time and were free to pursue their religion, culture and education and Rohingyas became known as a prosperous and dynamic race developed in all aspects of life.
With Burma getting freedom from the British in 1948 the scenario was changed abruptly and for the worse. Since then, expect for a brief period when Uno was prime minister, the Rohingyas had been an ethnic race officially. The final blow came, with the promulgation of the Citizenship Act in which Rohingyas were not only denied of citizenship but were also not given ethnic racial status. Thus the Rohingyas became a stateless people.
The position of the Rohingya took a further miserable turn with military takeover in 1962. The repression of Rohingyas continued over the years following the takeover. Harrowing tales of forced labour, rape and mass killings were coming out from Arakan since then. In 1994, an estimate put that no less than 5000 Rohingya youth were killed branding them as antistate elements. As a result the Rohingyas started fleeing Arakan and took shelter in different Muslim countries including Bangladesh. The number of Rohingyas taking shelter in foreign lands were almost 120,000. But the ruling junta of Myanmar and the extremists have not stopped the persecution of the Rohingyas. They have taken a number of inhuman measures to destroy the Rohingyas.
In view of the pitiable condition of the Rohingyas it has become imperative to protect and preserve the rights and identity of the Rohingyas. For this a separate body may be created by Myanmar government which will consist of reputed Rohingya intellectuals, religious leaders, industrialists, businessmen, lawyers and other professionals who are either living in Arakan or have taken shelter in other countries.
It may be added that only in 2001, 150 houses of Rohingyas were burnt down in the Arakanese capital, Akyab and a number of Muslims were killed and wounded. In last May only in Mangdaw town 37 mosques and prayer houses were destroyed.
Here are a few examples of human rights violation. Rohingyas have been subjected to marriage control law which prohibits the Muslim women to marry before the age of 25 and they have to take permission of authorities for marriage.
Rohingyas in Arakan cannot move outside their village or town without a permit from the authorities. In 1996 a total of 57 mosques and madrassas were demolished. Rohingyas are subjected to forced labour. The hapless victims have to carry their own food and the troops do not hesitate to shoot them when found too exhausted or sick. Rohingya students are not allowed to pursue higher studies.
Higher taxes have been imposed on the Rohingyas compared to other people living in Arakan. Actually there is no hope of survival of Rohingya Muslims unless there is any intervention by the UN Human Rights Commission, UNHCR, OIC etc.
Realising the gravity of the situation the former Secretary General of the UN, Boutros Boutros Ghali called for a political solution of the problem to stop this great human tragedy. The political solution could be achieved through creation of the aforesaid authority under the government of Myanmar to look after the Rohingya affairs and guarantee their safety. The Rohingyas who fled their homeland should be allowed to return without any hindrance. Moreover all the inhuman measures inflicted on the Rohingyas should immediately be lifted. History demands these acts of justice and fair play from the comity of nations.
The writer is President, Arakan Historical Society, Chittagong; founder of Naikhongchari Hajee M. A. Kalam Degree College and a human rights activists.