Rohingya Life

Mary Scully Report Ziaur Rahman is a 23-year-old Rohingya man who says he, “has history in four countries but a secure home in none.” He grew up in Bangladesh after his family fled persecution in Myanmar–only to be kidnapped by human traffickers last year & shipped to Thailand. He eventually escaped captivity & now works with the UN refugee agency in Malaysia (UNHCR).  His story is horrific & typical of many Rohingya refugees. It needs to be told at length to highlight the gruesome human rights crimes being committed against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar & in the countries they flee to for asylum.  This is a drawing Ziaur made at the age of 16 while living with his mother in a Bangladesh camp. The refugee camps are not places of tranquil asylum but subject to violence by police & human traffickers. The Naff River in the drawing marks the border between Myanmar & Bangladesh & is the escape route taken by many during pogroms. It featured in the...

Published by  Rohingya Vision   Written   By Ro ZR Arakani Many members of the Rohingya community fled from the native Arakan state of Burma (Myanmar) in 1991-1992 due to the well-founded fear of persecution from the military junta and took refuge in Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Etc. And nowhere to go still they are facing many challenges and statelessness too. They spent for more than 30 years, 25 years and 20 years over together with their families. Many of them were born and grew up there. But most of them had grown up in the refugee camp and in rural area of countryside. Besides, A few refugees were resettled to 3rdcountries. Since then most of the Rohingya fled to Bangladesh refugee camp. In 1992 to 1997, about 2,5400 Rohingya Refugees had been forcefully repatriated to Burma, as they did not receive strong protection from UNHCR and other international agencies. Due to the continuous persecutions and insecurity of living...