EVEN if oppressors manipulate facts, this does not mean the oppressed becomes a criminal. Even if oppressors succeed in presenting a different image through their clever use of resources, the Muslim Rohingya of Arakan face racism, discrimination, violence, persecution and genocide at the hands of Buddhist authorities, whose hands have been stained with the blood of innocents since 1938.

No rights for the Rohingya

The Myanmar government steals the rights of the Rohingyas in their homeland – the right to live, the right to move, the right to education, health rights, the right to work, and even the right to freedom of religion. The pursuit of justice by the Rohingya is legitimate according to credible sources such as the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, European Union, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch.

Why can we not blame the Rohingya?

That’s why it’s understood that their seeking refuge in neighbouring countries was entirely out of necessity, seeking survival and safety, leaving behind everything, running away from Myanmar barbarisms and atrocities. They cannot be blamed; instead, the inhuman characteristics of the so-called Myanmar authority against innocent, helpless civilians led them to this choice. It is only a quest for security and safety in their lives; they have no choice but to leave, facing either forced migration or death.

This is the main reason international reports have always highlighted cases of Rohingya boat people seeking safe shores in neighbouring countries.

Shocking report by Indonesian portals

Recently, some Indonesian news reports shocked the world when they described the arrival of Rohingya survivors in Banda Aceh as a crime. How can victims of genocide become criminals while the real criminals causing continuous harm to them escape from their condemnation? These irresponsible reports create uncertainty and confusion among the public, who continually stand beside Rohingya and their rights and dignity for decades.

False accusations and clarifications

To address and counter those false accusations against innocent victims of state-sponsored terrorism, I am endeavouring to elucidate a few facts and realities so that people can have a clear and accurate understanding and view on Rohingya’s plight.

The public is generally divided into three over the plight of the Rohingya:

1. Those who have no idea about the suffering of the Rohingya people in their homeland of Arakan, and believe in irresponsible media reports and acting based upon them.

Our appeal to them is, please don’t stand with criminals against helpless innocents just seeking your shores to escape definite death, hoping for your mercy and kindness. With one click, you can find the true story of these people from credible sources. Please take one step ahead before you join hands with the historic criminal against all minorities in the country called Myanmar.

2. Those who have known the suffering of the Rohingya for decades and have always been supportive of saving the lives of these people. Please come forward to help for the sake of humanity. Let others know these people have the right to live and are not criminals. They haven’t committed any crimes, but crimes have been committed against them. Some survivors lost their families and belongings.

3. Those brainwashed by anti-Rohingya propaganda launched by Myanmar authorities and its components through various means and channels.

To them, we say, please stop acting unthinkingly. Open your eyes. No people ever accept leaving their homeland for no reason. Try to go back to history for a while and find out the background of this community in Arakan. Did they go to Rangoon, or did Myanmar aggressors go to Arakan? Why?

Here are some facts that may help everyone better understand the root cause of the plight of the Rohingya at the hands of the military junta in Myanmar.

Accusations and undeniable facts

1. Rohingya as intruders

Rohingyas are consistently blamed for being intruders in the country, claiming they are not indigenous to the country.

To refute this false accusation, we can go back to 1948, after the country gained independence from British occupation. During the leadership of national hero Aung San and prime minister U Nu, the Rohingya actively participated in nation-building, working with other ethnicities in the country.

They were an integral part of Myanmar’s golden era. Furthermore, some ministerial posts were occupied by Rohingya elders. If they were considered intruders, why were such privileges granted to them? This not only aligned with the principles of justice but also exemplified the spirit of national unity. Moreover, numerous historical events and documents from that era, along with official declarations, affirm the Rohingya as indigenous people of the country.

Even if, for the sake of argument, we entertain the idea the Rohingya are considered intruders, it does not justify their expulsion from the land. Instead, a more constructive approach could be integrating them into the local community and applying the concept of unity in diversity, which has proven highly successful in many neighbouring countries. This approach has been a critical factor in fostering development and stability.

2. Rohingya are undisciplined and cause disturbance

To refute this false accusation, we can look back at the 12-year golden era after independence. During this period, hundreds of high-profile civil servants, particularly teachers in government schools and colleges, as well as local parliament members, were Rohingya. This indicates these individuals had high moral standards, as evidenced by the government’s choice to appoint them.

Additionally, the Rohingya have a long history overseas, especially in the Middle East. Apart from typical human negativity, this community has not caused any significant problems. In fact, in some countries, they have been praised by the highest authorities for their intelligence and exemplary moral conduct. Yet, we agree that, after suffering for an extended period, some human errors emerged but not up to the false claims by their enemies.

3. Rohingya have taken up arms for independence

This is a false accusation. Myanmar is a multiethnic and multireligious nation, and the Union of Myanmar was formed based on this reality. Due to the military coup and the brutality of the Myanmar militaries, almost all ethnic communities, including Rohingyas, have taken up arms against the central government, there are several primary reasons for the reaction against central governments

– The Myanmarnisation process: The central leadership of the time, mainly dominated by the Burmese ethnic group, initiated a Myanmarnisation process in essential sectors of the government body, causing unrest among the other partners.

– Violations of agreements: According to agreements made by ethnic representatives during the gaining of independence, every ethnic state had the right to seek self-determination after a certain period. However, the central Burmese-controlled government ignored this clause, leading to ongoing bloodshed among members of the same nation. The Rohingya are a minor revolutionary group compared to the Kachin, Karen, Chan, Rakhine and others, but they received the most brutal military operations.

– Divide-and-rule formula: In certain states, such as Arakan, where two communities have lived peacefully for centuries, the Burmese-controlled central government has played a divisive role. Their tactics involve creating hatred and exploiting religious and ethnic sensitivities to prevent these communities from uniting their voices against oppressive decisions imposed by the central government on the state.

A bitter truth

Myanmar is surrounded by many rebel groups, and the government has lost control of some areas. In fact, peace agreements have been signed with some strong arms groups, such as the Karen, but civilian members of those ethnic rebels are safe and living in their designated ethnic homelands. However, in the case of the Rohingya, it’s a different story.

In the name of countering rebel groups, the civilian population was displaced and swiped from their homeland. The reason for this is crystal clear – the Rohingya do not share the same faith, culture, and identity, so they are unwanted humans. It’s a bitter truth that many find difficult to digest, unfortunately.

Rohingya’s concern

The Rohingya are always worried about the malicious plots of their enemies, particularly Myanmar authorities, to sabotage the harmonious relationship that exists with their host country. This is done to create misunderstanding and to distort their image in the minds of their hosts.

These conspiracies and plots have been encountered in the past and present, and of course, they are also expected in the future. The spreading of fake stories and clips, misinformation and lies, using cyber troopers, fueling social media, and using ill-hearted columnists and bloggers aimed at distorting the Rohingya image and dignity. All of this is carefully orchestrated to diminish the sympathy of the host towards the Rohingya and to sow the seed of hatred between refugees and their hosts.

Rohingya’s quest

In a nutshell, the Rohingya are people seeking survival at the hands of an enemy who is trying to destroy them. The Rohingya are seeking helping hands that stand beside them for their legitimate and rightful cause to attain civil and political rights and justice in their homeland of Arakan. They want the world to make way for them to return to their homeland with dignity and respect and to restore and sustain their culture and indigeneity.

But the question arises – how can they secure safety in an unsafe world? – January 1, 2024.

* Farid Abu Ahmed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.