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No Citizenship
Since 1982, the Myanmar government denied citizenship to the Rohingya. -
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Childhood
In 1994, JN Joniad was born in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. He was born into a Muslim Rohingya family, in a Buddhist-majority country. He had a happy childhood and enjoyed going to school. However, he was often bullied by other students, being called 'Kalar', which meant illegal immigrant. He lived in Myanmar for 19 years, but never felt that he belonged because of the daily discrimination he would receive. Although he was born there, he was never regarded as a citizen. -
Risk
In order to avoid being a refugee stuck in a camp, JN travelled to many different places. To India and then to China. Each move was incredibly risky and could easily lead to imprisonment and arrest. JN believed that Australia would be safe enough for him to rebuild his life because they had signed the UN 1951 convention for refugees and asylum. seekers. -
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On the Run
In 2012, anti-Rohingya violence started in the Rakhine state. JN was studying physics åt Sittwe University at the time, and these acts of violence pushed JN away from his home country and he was forced to flee for his own safety. He left so suddenly that he didn't even get a chance to bid farewells to his family. He fled on a small paddleboat with several other Rohingya and ended up in Bangledesh. -
Shot
While trying to cross the Thailand border in 2013, JN was shot. From there, he fled to Malaysia and then Indonesia. His attempt to get to Australia was not a success, and he was arrested while trying to get on a boat and sent back to Indonesia. -
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Confinement
During this time period, JN was locked up in a hotel room for 3 months, before being transferred to a detention center with other refugees in South Sulawesi. There were over 500 refugees and asylum seekers there, and the place was guarded with tall walls and electric fences. -
Shelter
One and a half years later, JN was transferred again. This time, he was transferred to a community shelter in Makassar, Indonesia. There were hundreds of refugees living there, many from Somalia and Afghanistan. The shelter had strict rules. No one was allowed out of the city, and curfew was at 10pm sharp. Many people took their lives in this 'shelter'. -
Action (part 2)
JN tried writing as a journalist, and wrote articles for Al Jazeera, BBC Indonesia, Buzzfeed and more.
However, immigration officers started threatening him with detention for life and deportation if he stopped writing. For JN, writing was a hobby, but it soon became a chore and forced habit. He continued to write articles and was stuck in limbo like this for years. -
Action
The community shelter that JN was stuck in was strict and stressful. To keep himself active, JN joined online courses in political science journalism. He spoke to organizations advocating for refugees and human rights and even lawyers, looking for assistance and answers. They never answered. -
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Freedom
In 2020, JN's application to move to Canada as a refugee was approved, with the help of his sponsors. This was still during the pandemic, so many COVID restrictions were in place, making it difficult to travel. -
Move
In September 2021, JN finally reached Toronto, Canada. His sponsors greeted him at the airport and held signs welcoming him to Canada. Although JN had to quarantine for a couple of weeks, eventually, he was free. His sponsors also took JN to a bank for his first bank account. In Myanmar, he wasn't allowed to have one. He also received his health card and photo ID, two documents that validate his existence. Canada was very inclusive and welcoming when he arrived. Now, he lives in a safe country. -
Permanent Resident
In April 2021, JN received his permanent resident card. This is a BIG milestone for him. For the first time in his life, JN has legal documentation of his existence. In Myanmar, Rohingya people were denied citizenship and heavily discriminated against. The rise of anti-Rohingya violence pushed JN into fleeing his homeland. In Canada, JN was treated well and was welcomed into the country with big, open arms. Today, he is a freelance journalist who advocates for refugee rights.