Early warning has not saved the Rohingya because it can’t offset the countervailing interests or cooperation challenges that make preventing or halting mass atrocities difficult. And unfortunately, these dynamics are particularly pronounced in the present crisis. The Burmese government, including its Nobel Peace laureate civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has made a concerted push to brand the Rohingya as Islamic militants. Tapping into international counter-terrorism narratives simultaneously bolsters the legitimacy of the military operation against the Rohingya and undermines their status as innocent civilian victims of state abuse.

b_b:

I remember hearing about this issue for the first time a few years ago on NPR, and the government spokesperson pretty much summed up why these people are doomed. When asked about the persecution of the Rohingya people, instead of addressing the violence in any way, the man replied, "There is no such thing as Rohingya." Pretty bleak response.

posted 2395 days ago