-
Period: to
Government of Myanmar denies citizenship to the Rohingya people
JN Joniad was born in a Muslim Rohingya family in the Rakhine state of Myanmar where his parents had lived for more than 50 years there. He had a happy childhood with my big family and loved going to school. Unfortunately, since 1982 the government of Myanmar denied citizenship to the Rohingya people, JN Joniad and his family was rendered stateless and been white card to denote his residency. Other students would bully him as they would call him "Kalar" which meant illegal immigrant in Rakhine. -
Period: to
Anti - Rohingya violence and discrimination against the Rohingya people
In 2012, when anti-Rohingya violence erupted in the Rakhine state, security forces regularly raided Rohingya homes and dragged away anyone they found inside. As a result, abducted bodies identified as Rohingya people were found dead, while others are missing to this day. The government of Myanmar specifically targeted young and educated Rohingya people, whom they viewed as a threat to their authority. JH Joniad described this experience as having to watch men take away his close relatives. -
Period: to
The immigration to Austrialia
As violence worsened, JN Joniad made plans to risk his life and cross the border to Australia which had signed the UN 1951 convention for refugees and asylum seekers. Things were so bad; he couldn't say bye to his family and left Myanmar to reach Bangladesh. There, he fled to Thailand and was shot at near the border. He successfully entered Thailand and fled to Malaysia and then Indonesia. Unfortunately, he was arrested while trying to get on a boat to Australia and was sent back to Indonesia. -
Period: to
The detainment of refugees
JN Joniad lived as a refugee in Indonesia and protested the treatment of refugees. After being arrested and imprisoned, he described this experience as being locked up in a hotel room, then transferred to South Sulawesi prison camps for refugees. JN Joniad lived in a place with tall walls and electric fences, crowded with more than 500 asylum seekers for nearly 8 years. There he met others from Afghanistan and Somalia taking away their own lives in anger and fear. -
The approval as a Canadian immigrant
Eventually, JN Joniad's application to come to Canada as a refugee was approved in early 2020. In September 2021 he took his first steps on the territory of Canada. JN Joniad was approved to open his first bank account and successfully received documentations that helped JN Joniad feel like a validation to belong in Canada. -
JN Joniad's permanent resident card
In April, he received his permanent resident card to live in Canada as a citizen. JN Joniad states he would like to thank Canada for not only giving him a home but also a legal existence. For him, it's not just a piece of paper. It means that for the first time in his life, he can study, work, and access health care freely.