MUSLIMS IN MYANMAR
Myanmar, also known as Burma, is located in Southeast Asia between China, India and Thailand. It was founded in 1948 and its population is about 50 million. There is majority of Buddhists here, but in terms of ethnic groups there are at least 100 different ethnics, including Burmese, Shan, Karen, Chinese.One of the ethnics is Rohingyas who are particularly Muslims. But there is a problem; Burma government doesnt accept them. They deny their citizenship and send them to refugee camps without food and water. But the interesting thing is; Government does not accept the Rohingya, and also says 'They cant leave, either'. According to Burma government; 'Most of the migrants do not belong to Myanmar but Bangladesh. So they can not alter their policy toward the 'Bengalis'. It seems they are so strict about this decision. But what about the people who are hungary and dying? There are 140.000 people living in huts without food. They need medicine, as well. They depend on international aids. On the other hand, Rohingyas who live in cities(not refugee camps) have no rights to vote, enter professions like law and medicine and even receive passport. So they could not vote for president in last election which was said 'it will be a big step for democracy'. In fact, people were hopeful about president Aung San Suu Kyi who won the Nobel Peace Prize. But we see sho does not attempt about this situation.
Rohingyas, the worlds most persecuted minority, are hopeless now. They are hungary and dying due to the lack of medicine. Some of them try to run and reach Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand. But none of their neighbours, including Bangladesh, want to take them in. Malaysia said 'I would like them to be turned back and ask them to go back to their own country. But the problem is; Rohingya have no country.

                                                                                                                       Ayşegül Demir