‘The most friendless people in the world.’

BY MICHAELA MORGAN

They’re the most persecuted refugees in the world, according to Amnesty International. Even though there is evidence of the Rohingya people residing in Myanmar for centuries, they are denied citizenship and lack basic access to education, employment and health services.

Earlier this month, Rohingyas were deemed responsible for an attack on border posts in the country’s Rakhine state that left nine police officers dead. The area has since been closed off by the military, blocking food aid deliveries for more than 80,000 people by the UN’s World Food Programme.

Sydney’s Rohingya community gathered on Friday at Town Hall Square to raise awareness and call upon the international community to help.

Speaking at the event, U Maung Hla, an advisor to the Burmese Rohingya Community of Australia (BRCA), said the Rohingya in Myanmar are in an extremely precarious situation.

“We are the most friendless people in the world,” he told the crowd.

“The International State Crime Initiative says credible reports are emerging of extra judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and raids on Rohingya homes by Myanmar security forces”, U Maung Hla said.

Mohammed Anwar is the Secretary General of the BRCA and says “villages have been raided and looted, women and young girls have been taken.”

Mr Anwar is urging the Australian government to take action.

“There needs to be a conversation with the Myanmar government. There needs to be pressure for an independent investigation in the area so we can find out what’s happening.”

There has been some criticism that Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi has ignored the plight of the Rohingya but Mr Anwar says it’s not that simple.

“She’s in government but she doesn’t have all the power at the moment. I believe Aung San Suu Kyi is avoiding any conflict with the military, waiting for the right time, trying to bring harmony in the community. But at the same time, people are suffering, people are losing their lives.”

Rohingyas who flee Myanmar for neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand face immense risks in transit and the real possibility of being exploited as slave labour in industries such as fishing.

Mr Anwar arrived in Australia in 2009 as a skilled migrant but says most Rohingya people are not that lucky.

“Most of the Rohingya who are now in Sydney have gone through a lot of difficulties in Myanmar. Then they’ve had to take rickety boats to leave the country.”

James Supple from the Refugee Action Coalition spoke at the rally and called upon the Australian government to support Rohingyas seeking asylum.

“Rohingya people are locked up on Nauru, along with other people, they need to be brought to Australia and be allowed to settle as refugees.”

There are grave concerns that the recent violence in Rakhine will escalate to the level last seen during the state’s 2012 riots when over 100 people were killed and thousands were displaced.