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The Rohingya Crisis
Since August of 2017, more than 740,000 Rohingya Muslim's have fled from Myanmar. They hope to avoid persecution and violence by the Myanmar military and government, who don't consider them as citizens. Attacks on the Rohingya have been widespread, and many have been blamed on the Myanmar police and military, often called "textbook ethnic cleansing". Rohingya refugees have told stories of gang rape, mass killings and their homes and villages burning, leaving them with nowhere to turn. -
A Rape Accusation
In May, three Rohingya are accused of raping and murdering a Buddhist Girl, resulting in a revenge attack by a mob leaving 10 Muslims dead. This is known as the beginning of the major conflict today, however for decades Rohingya Muslims have faced discrimination and were never considered "legal citizens" of Myanmar. -
Rakhine Riots
On June 8, 2012, thousands of Muslims rioted the killings and Rakhine Muslims and Buddhists began attacking each other. The government declares a state of emergency and by June 12th, over 100,000 Rohingya Muslims are displaced and in emergency housing, according to Human Rights Watch. These people lost the right to food and shelter, and for years, didn't have the right to religion without discrimination. -
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43 Dead amid calls in Myanmar for "Muslim extermination"
Forty-three people are killed over 4 days as a dispute in a gold shop turned violent. Ultimately 6 are arrested, but they are all Rohingya Muslim, according to the BBC. -
The UN Urges Action, as the World Begins to Notice
Reports of conflict between Rohingyas and Buddhists continue to emerge, leading to a statemnt from the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.
"The ongoing human rights violations against the Rohingya community in Rakhine State, and the spread of anti-Muslim sentiment across the State and beyond, is threatening the reform process and requires focused attention from the Government", she added. The population continues to face a lack of rights, such as to shelter and discrimination. -
8,000 Rohingya's Stranded at Sea
Rohingya Muslim Migrants were left stranded at sea of the coast of Indonesia, in the quest to find refuge in neighbouring countries. Many over the years have attempted to make this journey, with hundreds dying along the way. -
Current Crisis Begins: Attacks on Police Set Off Chain Reaction
Rohingya insurgents, angered after decades of discrimination, kill 12 officers at border police posts. Myanmar's military begins a "counter-insurgency clearing operation" against the Rohingya, as people begin to flee. -
Within one week, thousands flee, and a refugee boat capsizes, killing 20.
In less than a week after the military's "counter-insurgency" program, 27,000 Rohingya Muslim's flee, as a refugee boat capsizes killing 20. -
UN Commissioner States "Ethnic Cleansing" is occurring in Myanmar.
As 270,000 Rohingya Muslim's leave Myanmar as refugees, as the UN Comissioner for Human Rights calls the crisis a "ethnic cleansing. -
Refugee Count Approaches Half a Million since August
Many refugee camps in Bangladesh face serious outbreaks of disease and malnutrition. -
Aung San Suu Kyi, de facto leader of Myanmar, breaks silence about Rohingya crisis.
Speaks at UN General Assembly Meeting, addressing the growing concern of danger towards Rohingyas. She says the government "would like to find out why this exodus (from Myanmar to Bangladesh), is occuring". Her statement dissapoints many. -
More Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh than Myanmar
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International Community Begins to React
World leaders and international organizations pledge 344 million towards funding UN-run relief programs to aid the Rohingya, as the US threatens sanction Myanmar as it does not want US aid going towards Burmese military efforts against the Rohingya. -
Violence erupts again as the military becomes involved in the fight against "insurgents"
An attack on border police posts leaves nine officers dead. The government blames the attacks on Rohingya insurgents despite their being no evidence supporting these claims, according to the International Crisis Group. The military begins "targeting sweeps" of insurgents, forcibly removing thousands of Rohingya villagers from their homes. -
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The Current Situation
Over 740,000 Rohingya Muslims have left Myanmar as refugees, joining the refugees who have lived in camps for decades avoiding persecution from the military. Over 43,000 Rohingya parents are missing, many presumed dead, as there are 9,000 confirmed deaths. As of January 2018, the government of Myanmar in accordance with Bangladesh looks to begin bringing the hundreds of thousands of refugees back to their home country.
