Myanmar government backs oppression against Muslims

Myanmar’s government has been behind the ongoing atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in the country, a human rights activist tells.

“I do have a strong feeling that there is support behind the scenes by the government,” said Myra Dahgaypaw, the coordinator of the US Campaign for Burma, in a Friday interview.

The commentator also pointed out that if the Myanmar government is “coming out strongly” condemning the actions that are “not suitable to the situation,” there has to be “some kind of security for the people or for the Rohingyas themselves.”

Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar account for about five percent of the country’s population of nearly 60 million. They have been persecuted and faced torture, neglect, and repression since the country’s independence in 1948.

The UN recognizes the Rohingya Muslims living in Myanmar’s western state of Rakhine as one of the world’s most persecuted communities.

Hundreds of Rohingyas are believed to have been killed and thousands displaced in attacks by Buddhist extremists.

The Myanmar government has been repeatedly criticized by human rights groups for failing to protect the Rohingya Muslim community.