Radical

Buddhism and
The Rohingya

The most persecuted

minority in the world

Ana Avendano
 BRIEF HISTORY OF TENSIONS LEADING TO
OPPRESSION
Modern Burmese history started with British conquest.
Burma gained independence shortly after India, in 1948.
Burma was plunged into a state of constant civil war stemming from
ethnic differences and rivalry. The Burman majority wanted to take
full control.
In order to prevent the various minority states from seceding, the
military decided to seize control in 1962
However, the military continued to oppress the various ethnic
groups, going as far as to pass a law that refused full citizenship to
certain ethnicities. Giving them associate citizenship instead
 THE RISE OF EXTREMIST BUDDHISM
Muslims have been discriminated against since the 11th century as
they have always been looked down upon as a minority in Burma.
Started off when King Bayinnaung banned Islamic ritual slaughter,
prohibiting Muslims from consuming halal meat.
However, discrimination and racism was mostly restrained, as
opposed to todays outright persecution.
Buddhist violence against the Muslim minority started after certain
minority groups were denied citizenship, therefore denying them any
rights or protection by the government.
 THE RISE OF EXTREMIST BUDDHISM
Mainly advocated by a few highly influential monks. Many ordinary
citizens dont have a motivation to be radical.
These few monks say they were motivated to incite hate speech that
promotes violence because they want to protect themselves from
the rise of radical Islam.
However, they are mainly just want more power for themselves and
the ethnic majority.
Mistreatment of Buddhists by the Taliban has escalated the conflict.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GQbeK71C3Y
:35
The Rohingya
They are a Muslim minority in a predominantly Buddhist
country, but they are native to the region
They hail from the country's northwest and speak a Bengali
dialect. Almost all live in Rakhine, one of the poorest states,
with a population of three million.
Highest number of refugees accepted into the US are Rohingya
(Rohingya Cultural Center down Devon)
However, most scatter around southeast Asia once they escape
Burma
Denied resettlement in Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh,
Malaysia or Australia
What it entails to be an
Associate Citizen
Rendered stateless
Have no say in government, cant run for office or participate in
government
Are killed in mass numbers, yet have no protection from the
police/government
To become full citizens they would have to prove that their
family has been living in Burma since 1813, but this is difficult
due to poor record keeping
International Response

With the crisis in Syria, the worlds refugee focus has shifted there.
Countries are reluctant to call it a genocide, because of the
implications this has.
All many are doing is taking in refugees, however, if peace is not
brought to the region, they are going to be taking in refugees forever.
The UN has brought the issue to light, they are the ones who coined
the description of most prosecuted minority for the Rohingya.
Dalai Lama has condemned violence by radical Buddhists.
The Burmese government has refused to take responsibility.
Burma (Myanmar) Overview of economy. National Encyclopedia. (2016). Retrieved October 20, 2016,
from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Burma-Myanmar-
OVERVIEW-OF-ECONOMY.html

CIA - The World Factbook -- Burma. (2016, October 06). Retrieved October 18, 2016, from
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bm.html

McLeod, K. (2006, April 5). History of Burma. Retrieved October 19, 2016, from
http://www.cfob.org/HistoryofBurma/historyOfBurma.shtml

Myanmar profile - Timeline - BBC News. (2016, March 30). Retrieved October 18, 2016, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-12992883

Safdar, A. (2015, October 28). Who are the Rohingya? Retrieved October 20, 2016, from
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/10/rohingya-151024202611276.html