As sectarian tensions run high in the country’s west, we ask how it will impact the government’s fragile reform plan.
Myanmar is on a very uneven and fragile road towards democracy but around 25 people have been killed and 41 others wounded in five days of riots in the country’s western region.
“We don’t have any hope because it’s happening all the time. So it will last a long time, so we need international help. We need UN intervention.“– Maung Kyaw Nu from the Myanmar Rohingya Association in Thailand
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The coastal state of Rakhine saw Buddhists once again fighting Muslims, including Rohingya migrants – most of whom are stateless. They are described by the United Nations as one of the world’s most persecuted minorities.
The violence seems to have started after a Buddhist woman was raped and murdered last month.
The Rohingya were blamed and since then, more people have been killed on both sides of the religious divide.
In response, the government has imposed a state of emergency in the area and the UN is relocating its staff.
“These are all coordinated attacks … this violence, rioting has been planned well ahead of time …. This had been in works for quite some time but they were looking for a triggering point.“– Wakar Uddin, a Rohingya from Myanmar |