International Human Rights and the Plight of Rohingya in Myanmar

Abstract There are probably no nations in the world today that do not have minority groups. Wherever nation-states exist, ethnic diversity is a pervasive aspect of their life. Myanmar is one of the most ethnically diverse states in Asia. The Rohingya’s existence is a historical fact in Myanmar, but their ethnic minority status is not acknowledged. Rohingya Muslims are facing identity and citizenship problems along with severe international human rights violations. More than 0.7 million Rohingya Muslims are living in Bangladesh as world’s biggest refugee population. The Rohingya gradually lost their identity and eventually became stateless under Myanmar’s domestic legal framework. A large number of them are disenfranchised from exercising their basic human rights. It is argued that not only are their human rights seriously compromised in their present condition of statelessness, but they could still face genocide, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. The article concludes by emphasizing the responsibility to protect Rohingya Muslims from atrocities, including addressing their statelessness and lack of citizenship. Further research and advocacy are needed to ensure that the human rights of the Rohingya are protected and that they have access to citizenship and legal identity.