Ethnic Cleansing in Burma - Opinion Piece
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My aim here is to bring awareness to this issue among fellow Steemians, and perhaps spur some to action.
This morning I was hanging out in general chat when a distressed new Steemian @yusnadi came in wishing for a voice in the world to protest the violence in Burma. Yusnadi is from Indonesia, which is also affected by the arrival of refugees looking for sanctuary. He asks for help from anyone who can raise their voice, and stands in solidarity for his Muslim brothers in Burma, which is also known as Myanmar. (link below) I hadn't heard about the Myanmar issue, which has just recently started making headlines. However the issue is very real and horribly tragic.
While the above article needs translation, in essence it is a listing of other countries violent aggression towards Muslims. Now I know that there is a lot of opposition towards Muslims because of September 11th and subsequent aggression, however I have always questioned, what is the root of this violence and opposition?
I won't try to make a definitive argument because I am no scholar or expert. However violence and hatred of any minority based on ethnicity, race or religion is racism, regardless of history. Children are not to blame for the crimes of their parents and ancestors, if even a crime was perpetrated. That is a huge bone of contention, as the United Nations is unable to accurately access the situation in Burma.
The Rohingya are a mostly-Muslim minority in Burma. They are currently in Burma, also known as Myanmar, which is a Buddhist-majority nation in Southeast Asia. For reference on the map, Burma is one of many small countries to the southwest of China and east of India.
While some of the Rohingya people came to the area from Bangladesh during the war for independence in 1971, others had lived there for centuries beforehand. Bangladesh and Myanmar have had a relatively fluid border. This situation in Burma is not new, as the violence against Rohingyans has been happening on and off for many years. However now it is at a head.
Regardless of how or when, the situation should be dealt with as humanely as possible, and without violence and dispossession.
I speak as an observer, politically taking neither side, yet asking for a fair and unbiased solution. I ask that people educate themselves about the situation and speak out as they feel moved, for the situation to be addressed. Below are a few articles that discuss the situation. Even though some are from the mainstream media, I do not believe all the information is unreliable and tarnished. In fact in browsing the different media outlets, I could not find one source that was in support of the actions of the Burmese government. Choose your own sources if you will. But when you speak, choose peace.
How Burmas Rohingya crisis went from bad to worse
Rohingya Pakistan Myanmar violence
Textbook example of ethnic cleansing
Please resteem to support awareness of this crisis!!!
