China talks to Bangladesh and Myanmar about Rohingya
The Burmese military launched a ‘clearance operation’ against the Rohingyas to combat a attack on the security forces in August. The UN described this as a textbook move of ethnic cleansing. Thousands of Rohingya Muslims started to migrate to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and India, as tensions escalated.
Aung Sang Suu Kyi
Violence against the community got worse even as the country transitions towards a democracy. “Unofficial” leader Aung San Suu Kyi kept quiet for a long time. It triggered questions across the world. A petition to revoke her Nobel Prize has been started. (Business Insider) Another Nobel Laurette, Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote, “My dear sister: If the political price of your ascension to the highest office in Myanmar is your silence, the price is surely too steep.” (Business Insider)
The Rohingya Muslims have lived in the country since the 8th century. However, they aren’t recognized as official citizens. Basic citizen rights are a distant dream.
In recent news
China has decided to dissolve the tension by mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar. The foreign ministry of Beijing said that both the countries have approved the three step plan.
First step: To start a cease-fire on the border to let the Rohingya Muslims to return.
Second step: The two countries should actively try to find a solution more based on ‘equality’.
Third step: The development of the Rakhine state.
What’s next?
China is an ally of both the nations. The country also offered to financially assist the reconstruction and development of the Rakhine state. However, nobody knows if the refugees will agree to go back to the country that haunts them. The only hope of progress is that the Myanmar government agrees to remove the barriers on the Rohingya community.
