As another massacre is unfortunately anticipated to take place in Arakan, the Rohingya, still continue to be deprived of the most basic human rights. Previously we have reported on the boycott of Rohingya trade, the terrible living conditions of the Rohingya forced to live in the IDP camps, and the wanton attacks and killing of men, women and children- for no other reason than because they are Rohingya.

This month in Arakan, our sources have informed us that the Basic Education High School Examination (BEHS) is taking place. However, for Rohingya children access to such education is still continuing to be limited (since June last year after the first outbreak of violence) and now thousands of them, are being denied from taking part in these examinations altogether.

Reports have confirmed that only 150 out of 2000 Rohingya students living in the Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Sandway districts have been granted permission to take the exam, meaning nearly 90% of Rohingya students have been denied permission. This time last year over 3,000 Rohingya students in the Maungdaw district took the BEHS, but this year, it is said only 50 are able to take the exam. However students from the areas of Kyauktaw, Mrouk U, Minbya, Pauktaw, Myebon, Kyauknimaw, Kyaukpru, Rathedaung and the students living in the IDP camps in Sittwe have been denied permission altogether.

The previous massacres have created a ripple effect on the Rohingya student’s education. During the intensely violent times, Rohingya students were isolated, and under siege, unable to leave home to attend school. Discrimination through segregation has long been entrenched in the land, with Rohingya school students having to take their exams in different rooms to Rakhine students. In Maungdaw, the entrance of the segregated exam hall for the Rohingya has a sign stating: “for Bangali-Kala (dark) students”. Moreover, Rakhine students receive free books for revision and are supported by Rakhine teachers consistently. Whereas the Rohingya students are constantly monitored and checked incase they are in possession of any material for revision, further determining failure in the exams.

The Rohingya have not only been denied, food, safe shelter, the right to work and move, but are also restricted in their education too- all of which results in them facing a life with no future to live freely, in their own homeland.

Image from Demotix