By: Layne Weiss
Source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/
A boat carrying at least 70 Muslim Rohingya capsized off the coast of Myanmar Sunday. Aid workers say that only eight survivors have been rescued.
Dan McNorton, a spokesman for the UNHCR, said Friday as many as 1,500 people have fled Rakhine state in the last week, The AP reports. He said the UNHCR had received many reports of drownings and was seeking details. Those trying to flee are very vulnerable to poor weather conditions, engine trouble as the boats are never that reliable, and being sold by traffickers in Thailand, BBC News reports. Little has been done to improve the conditions of the Rohingya people. They are segregated and forbidden to attend schools or be treated in hospitals. They are not allowed to travel, and families cannot have more than two children without getting special permission. Rohingyas are described by the UN as a “persecuted and linguistic minority.” They are from western Burma, but are not recognized as Burmese citizens. Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist nation, which has been the site of severe sectarian violence in the last 18 months, The AP reports. More than 240 people have been killed and 250,000 have fled their homes. Most of the victims are Rohingya Muslims. They are chased down by Buddhist mobs with machetes, iron chains and bamboo clubs.
