Issues to be raised concerning the situation of Rohingya children in Myanmar (Burma) By Chris Lewa
SUBMISSION TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Issues to be raised concerning the situation of stateless Rohingya children in
Myanmar (Burma)
The Arakan Project, January 2012
QUOTES FROM ROHINGYA CHILDREN
Being hungry is very painful; I cannot explain this. When I am hungry I feel like
crying.
-- Anwar, 9 years old,(Interview #1)
*******
I am a Muslim and my country is Burma; so I am a Burmese Muslim. I don’t feel that I am a Rohingya. I have never heard the word Rohingya in Burma. I only heard about Rohingya when I visit Bangladesh. I don’t understand the difference between a Rohingya and a Burmese Muslim. We look the same and we speak the same language. But my identity is that I am a Burmese.
-- Enayet Hussein, 11 years old (Interview #3)
*******
If children are not in their family list they cannot stay in the village. Like my brother. My parents could not include my younger brother’s name in their family list. That is why they had to leave the village. Some parents still live in the village without registering their children but they have to hide them. Or they have to register them with other parents. Like me. I am registered as the son of my grandmother.
-- Anwar, 9 years old (Interview #1)
*******
I have no future; I am afraid to think about the future. I only want to feed my brother and sisters. I want to live together with them; I cannot think of anything else. Every day I want to see a smile on their faces.
-- Rafique, 12 years old (Interview #4)
*******
Despite all this [forced labour], I continue my studies and I attend school as much as possible because I want to become a teacher.
-- Karim Ali, 11 years old (Interview #5)
Issues to be raised concerning the situation of stateless Rohingya children in
Myanmar (Burma)
The Arakan Project, January 2012
Submitted by
Chris Lewa
Coordinator/Researcher
The Arakan Project
Bangkok, Thailand
Email: chris.lewa@gmail.com
____________________________________________________________
QUOTES FROM ROHINGYA CHILDREN
Being hungry is very painful; I cannot explain this. When I am hungry I feel like
crying.
-- Anwar, 9 years old,(Interview #1)
*******
I am a Muslim and my country is Burma; so I am a Burmese Muslim. I don’t feel that I am a Rohingya. I have never heard the word Rohingya in Burma. I only heard about Rohingya when I visit Bangladesh. I don’t understand the difference between a Rohingya and a Burmese Muslim. We look the same and we speak the same language. But my identity is that I am a Burmese.
-- Enayet Hussein, 11 years old (Interview #3)
*******
If children are not in their family list they cannot stay in the village. Like my brother. My parents could not include my younger brother’s name in their family list. That is why they had to leave the village. Some parents still live in the village without registering their children but they have to hide them. Or they have to register them with other parents. Like me. I am registered as the son of my grandmother.
-- Anwar, 9 years old (Interview #1)
*******
I have no future; I am afraid to think about the future. I only want to feed my brother and sisters. I want to live together with them; I cannot think of anything else. Every day I want to see a smile on their faces.
-- Rafique, 12 years old (Interview #4)
*******
Despite all this [forced labour], I continue my studies and I attend school as much as possible because I want to become a teacher.
-- Karim Ali, 11 years old (Interview #5)
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE
Please read the New Mandala online, there is debate going on between me and other people. One slot: BBC under fire on Rohingya Issue http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2011/11/03/bbc-under-fire-on-rohingyas/
the other one is on the slot Constitution 2012
http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2012/01/18/burmas-constitution-in-2012-and-beyond/
Abid Bahar