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Teaching the Holocaust and other Genocides
 
Created in collaboration with the Holocaust & Human Rights Center, the NYS Education Department, and the NYS Archives Partnership Trust.

Rohingya

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Geographically bordered by Bangladesh to the west, India and China to the north, and Thailand and Laos to the east, the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar has a deep-rooted history dating back to 1057, when King Anawrahta founded it as the Kingdom of Burma. In the western part of the country, along the border with Bangladesh, lies the state of Rakhine, home to the Rohingya Muslims—an ethnic and religious minority in a predominantly Buddhist nation.  

For years, the Rohingya have faced systematic oppression and persecution, with some arguing they are the most persecuted minority in the world (Ibrahim, 2018). To fully understand the ongoing atrocities they endure—including violence, destruction of homes and property, forced labor, and sexual abuse—we must first examine the history of Myanmar, beginning in the 19th century when it was still known as Burma. 

Rohingya Map

Targeted Groups  

The targeted group of the genocide was predominantly Rohingya Muslims living in the northwestern state of Rakhine in Burma/Myanmar. Although other ethnic minorities have also faced persecution and discrimination, none have suffered as much as the Rohingya.    

Theravada Buddhism argues that in order for Buddhism to remain secure, all other forms of religion must be eliminated. This thinking was directly behind the actions of the Burmese Buddhists who looked to the state for support of dehumanizing anyone non-Buddhist in exchange for their political support. Consequently, throughout the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, Extreme Buddhist Organizations used their power and political influence to repress the rights of the Rohingya Muslims.