A Brief History of Rohingya: 3000 BCE to 2023

 

Rohingya History

Early History: The Rohingya population is concentrated in the historical region of Arakan, an old coastal country in Southeast Asia. The origins of the settlers in Arakan are unclear, with Burmese traditional history claiming Rakhine habitation since 3000 BCE. Arakan became one of the earliest Indianized kingdoms by the 4th century.

Arrival of Islam: Arab traders had contacts with Arakan since the 3rd century, and Muslim settlements in the region began in the 7th century. Arab traders were also missionaries, converting the local Buddhist population to Islam. The Muslim population in Arakan grew through intermarriage and conversion.

Kingdom of Mrauk U: The Rakhines, migrating through the Arakan Mountains in the 9th century, established numerous cities in the valley of the Lemro River. Muslim settlements date back to the time of Min Saw Mon (1430–34) of the Kingdom of Mrauk U. The region experienced vassalage to Bengal and continued Muslim influence even after independence.

Burmese Conquest: The Konbaung Dynasty's conquest of Arakan in 1785 led to the migration of thousands of Rakhine people. Many fled to Chittagong region in British Bengal in 1799 to escape persecution by the Bamar. The British occupation followed.

British Colonial Rule: British policies encouraged Bengali migration into Arakan for cheap labor. The census of 1872 reported 58,255 Muslims in Akyab District, increasing to 178,647 by 1911. The migration continued in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the impact of this immigration was a source of tension.

World War II: During World War II, violence erupted between Arakanese and Muslim villagers. The British armed Muslims in northern Arakan to create a buffer zone. The Arakan massacres in 1942 involved communal violence between Rohingya recruits and pro-Japanese Rakhines.

Pakistan Movement: Rohingya Muslims in western Burma organized a separatist movement during the Pakistan Movement in the 1940s, seeking to merge the region into East Pakistan. However, the proposal was not realized.

Post-WWII Migration: Post-independence immigration from Bangladesh is debated. Some argue that post-war illegal immigration of Chittagonians replaced the Arakanese population, while others suggest these were displaced Rohingyas returning after Burma's independence.

Burmese Independence: After Burma gained independence in 1948, Prime Minister U Nu acknowledged Rohingya Muslims' political loyalty. However, since the military junta took control in 1962, the Rohingya have faced systematic deprivation of political rights. Operation Nagamin in 1978 led to large-scale violence, forcing many Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.

 

Pre-Independence (1947):

• Two Rohingyas, M. A. Gaffar and Sultan Ahmed, were elected to the Constituent Assembly of Burma in 1947.
• M. A. Gaffar advocated for the recognition of the term "Rohingya" as the official name based on local Indian names of Arakan.

Post-Independence (1948-1962):

• Rohingyas were actively involved in Burmese politics, with representation in the Parliament.
• Sultan Mahmud, a Rohingya, became the Minister of Health in Prime Minister U Nu's cabinet.
• In 1960, Mahmud suggested making northern Arakan a separate province or remain under central government control.
• The 1962 coup ended the Westminster-style political system.

Post-Coup (1962-1982):

• Rohingya political participation declined.
• Mayu Frontier District, a Rohingya-majority zone, existed from 1961 to 1964.
• Expulsion of Burmese Indians increased after the 1962 coup, forcing 320,000 to leave by 1964.

Refugee Crises:

• 1978: Rohingya refugees entered Bangladesh due to Operation King Dragon; repatriation followed diplomatic initiatives.
• 1991-1992: Persecution led to an estimated 250,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh; repatriation agreement facilitated their return.

1982 Citizenship Law:

• The law stripped Rohingyas of citizenship, making them stateless.
• General Ne Win's Citizenship Act justified violence and human rights crimes against Rohingyas.
• Rohingya leaders were jailed, and the National Democratic Party for Human Rights was banned in 1992.

Name Changes and Denial:

• In 1989, Burma became Myanmar, and Arakan became Rakhine State in the 1990s.
• The government denied the term "Rohingya" and labeled them as "Bengali illegal immigrants."

Conflict in Arakan (1940s-1978):

• Rohingya's Mujahid party aimed to establish an autonomous Islamic state in Arakan.
• Military operations, such as Operation King Dragon in 1978, led to refugee influx.

Post-1988 Uprising:

• A new Rohingya movement emerged in the 1990s, characterized by international lobbying and indigenous claims.
• Rohingya scholars claimed historical ties to Rakhine, which were criticized as newly invented myths.

Burmese Juntas (1990-2011):

• The military junta discriminated against minorities, including Rohingyas, using Burmese nationalism and Buddhism.
• Riots against Rohingyas led to refugee crises, with accusations of government involvement.
• Pro-democracy dissidents from the majority Bamar ethnic group did not consider Rohingyas compatriots.

Current Situation (As of 2017):

• No Rohingya MP in Burma; Rohingya population lacks voting rights.
• Rohingya politicians faced imprisonment to disqualify them from elections.
• Widespread discrimination and denial of citizenship rights persist.

 

2012 Rakhine State Riots:

• Conflicts between Rohingya Muslims (north) and ethnic Rakhines (south) fueled by fears of Rakhines becoming a minority.
• Pogroms erupted after a series of disputes, including a gang rape and murder by Rohingyas and killing of Burmese Muslims by Rakhines.
• Government allegedly incited violence, with reports of Rakhine men armed by the government.
• Military involvement, curfews, and displacement of thousands.

2015 Refugee Crisis:

• Thousands of Rohingyas migrated to Southeast Asian countries by boat to escape violence and persecution.
• Risk of mass atrocities and genocide highlighted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Autumn 2016 – Summer 2017:

• Insurgents attacked border posts; military crackdown on Rohingyas ensued.
• Human rights violations, criticism of Aung San Suu Kyi's inaction.
• Militant group ARSA claimed responsibility for attacks.

Autumn 2017 Crisis:

• Myanmar security forces launched "clearance operations" against Rohingyas.
• Widespread attacks, reports of genocide, and ethnic cleansing.
• Massive displacement, international condemnation, and humanitarian crisis.

Relocation to Bhasan Char Island:

• Bangladesh's plan to relocate Rohingyas to Bhasan Char faced opposition, seen as forced relocation.
• Concerns about living conditions and accessibility of the island.

Since the 2021 Coup d'État:

• Growing support for Rohingyas in Myanmar after the 2021 coup.
• National Unity Government acknowledges war crimes against Rohingyas.

Genocide:

• Yale Law School assessment in 2015 suggested Myanmar's campaign against Rohingyas could be genocide.
• UNHCR used "ethnic cleansing" to describe Rohingya exodus.
• UN report in 2018 recommended charges of "crimes against humanity," including "genocide" against Myanmar government and military.
• Tatmadaw's extensive plan to eradicate Rohingyas revealed in a Reuters report in July 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bangladesh Stage

Background:

• Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are mostly Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals who have fled ethnic and religious persecution in Myanmar.
• Significant numbers have also migrated to Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Numbers and Strain on Infrastructure:

• Over 723,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since August 25, 2017.
• Overcrowding in refugee camps strains infrastructure, leading to inadequate access to services, education, food, clean water, and sanitation.
• Vulnerability to natural disasters and infectious diseases.

International Support:

• World Bank pledged nearly half a billion dollars in support to address Rohingya refugees' needs.
• Bangladesh announced it would no longer accept Rohingya refugees on March 1, 2019.

Violence and Humanitarian Crisis:

• Study estimates over 24,000 Rohingya killed, 18,000 women and girls raped, and 36,000 thrown into fires since August 2017.
• Massive fire in Balukhali camp in Cox's Bazar in March 2023 left 12,000 people without shelter.

History:

Rohingya Status in Myanmar:

• Rohingyas, a Muslim minority in Myanmar, face claims of being illegal migrants from Bangladesh.
• Denied citizenship and described as the world's most persecuted minority.

Previous Influx and Recent Increase:

• Rohingya refugees have been coming to Bangladesh since the 1970s.
• In the 1990s, over 250,000 resided in camps, with most repatriated to Myanmar by the early 2000s.
• Estimated 300,000 to 500,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh by 2017.

Unwelcoming Policies and Accusations:

• Bangladesh blames refugees for crime and violence.
• Majority of refugees unregistered; accusations of displacement and drug-related issues.

Relocation:

Bhasan Char Proposal:

• In 2015, Bangladesh proposed relocating Rohingya refugees to the remote island of Bhasan Char; plan faced criticism.

Revival of Relocation Plan:

• Between October and November 2016, around 65,000 Rohingya refugees arrived from Myanmar.
• Government revived the relocation plan for Bhasan Char, despite persistent concerns.

Repatriation Efforts:

• Joint working group established for repatriation after ARSA attacks in August 2017.
• Memorandum of understanding signed between Myanmar and Bangladesh in November 2017 for repatriation.
• Bilateral agreements, including repatriation deals, announced in January 2018.
• Continuous challenges and criticisms regarding the repatriation process.

UN-Myanmar Agreement:

• In June 2018, the United Nations and Myanmar signed an agreement on repatriation, criticized and rejected by Rohingya leaders.