Abstract
Rohingya Muslims have been subjected to structural violence committed by the Government of Myanmar and the military junta for several decades. The sheer refusal of rights of these people is a classic example of structural violence as explained by Johan Galtung’s Theory of Structural Violence which stipulates that violence occurs in three forms: Direct, Cultural and Structural - all of which have been committed against Rohingya Muslims. The combination of direct and cultural violence leads to the continuation of the structural violence as seen in the 1982 Citizenship Act that legitimizes and institutionalizes the violation of rights of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The research is based on the qualitative method and secondary data. The paper primarily focuses on the application of the Theory of Structural Violence in the case of Rohingya Muslims and highlights the problems faced by the Rohingya due to this ostracism. It also aims to look at the standing of other states in the region pertaining to this issue.
Highlights
The Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar - an ethnic minority, are considered a persecuted minority in the world
The Government of Myanmar recognizes 135 minority groups, including other ethnic Muslims, this recognition is not extended to Rohingya Muslims (Dittmer, 2010)
Refugee women arriving in Bangladesh in 2017 gave testimonies that they were forced into prostitution and faced sexual molestation and gang rapes by Myanmar military and other ethnic groups of Rakhine State (Human Rights Watch, 2017; Sultana, 2018)
Summary
The Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar - an ethnic minority, are considered a persecuted minority in the world. Abhorrence and animosity towards Rohingya Muslims have a long history that precedes Myanmar’s independence This deep-seated hatred towards this ethnic and religious group is an example of Cultural Violence which has been propagated within the Myanmar society by extremist monks and Buddhist nationalists. Refugee women arriving in Bangladesh in 2017 gave testimonies that they were forced into prostitution and faced sexual molestation and gang rapes by Myanmar military and other ethnic groups of Rakhine State (Human Rights Watch, 2017; Sultana, 2018). The deprivation of their right to education denies them the opportunity of interaction and reconciliation with other communities. The lack of knowledge makes Rohingya Muslims victims of societal discrimination and vulnerable to violence committed by Myanmar military and other ethnic groups
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