No registration for ‘Rohingya’ in Myanmar census
- Myanmar mentioned that Muslims will not be allowed to register as “Rohingya” in its first census in 3 decades, despite U.N. assurances.
- Buddhists from violence-hit western state vowed to boycott the census fearing it could lead to Rohingya recognition.
- The Rohingyas are the world’s most persecuted minorities according to United Nations.
- They call themselves “Bengali” as the authorities view Rohingya as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.
- Buddhists accuse the Humanitarian workers to favour the local Muslims.
- Myanmar’s first census since 1983 which is backed by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will aim to overcome the information deficit.
- The census questionnaire has a section for people to self-identify their ethnicity. Buddhists fear tht this might lead to political rights for Rohingyas.
- It is alleged that authorities are threatening local people with penalties if they identify themselves as Rohingya.
- Buddhists and Muslims animosity in Rakhine erupted into bloodshed in 2012 leaving dozens dead and around 140,000 people displaced.
Exams Perspective:
- Rohingya Muslim
- Burmanisation
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
