Amidst the ongoing instability in Myanmar, a significant number of Rohingyas have been compelled to leave their homeland. It is disheartening to learn that, in the latest incident, 112 individuals found themselves under arrest. Regrettably, this group includes 12 children who have been sent to prison. Their offense? A lack of proper documents.
The legal proceedings began with the submission of the case to the Bogale court on January 6. Subsequently, the southern Ayeyarwady regional court passed its judgment, sentencing the group.
According to reports by the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, the arrests took place in December, following the apprehension of the group aboard a motorboat.
Aljazeera further revealed that among the 12 children, five were below the age of 13, receiving a two-year sentence, while the older children faced three years.
The paper also reported that on Monday, they were relocated to a “youth training school.” Meanwhile, the adults were all subjected to a five-year imprisonment.
Why is Myanmar jailing Rohingyas?
This longtime violence in Myanmar has worsened because mostly Muslim Rohingyas are denied citizenship. The government has refused to offer them other fundamental rights in the Buddhist-majority country. Sadly, they are referred “illegal migrants” from South Asia.
The predominantly Muslim Rohingya are denied citizenship and other fundamental rights in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, which claims they are “illegal migrants” from South Asia.
After a severe military crackdown, Bangladesh hosted hundreds of thousands in 2017.
Many international law experts and organizations are labeling this a genocide. Others refer to them as the world’s most persecuted minority, Aljazeera adds.
Rohingyas have been taking risky sea journeys to Malaysia and Indonesia. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says the number of trips increased sixfold last year compared with 2021.
Recommendation
The Myanmar government’s efforts to shield itself from global scrutiny over its human rights record have led to these harsh incarcerations.
In a truth-based context, the international community will not cease its criticism of arbitrary actions. Fundamental human acceptance should prevail universally, particularly within one’s own homeland, regardless of religious beliefs.
Religious intolerance stands as the primary driver of this crisis. The establishment of laws promoting the acceptance of all faiths could potentially bring an end to this distressing pattern of treatment.
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