The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
July 2015 back issue
by Shib Shankar Chatterjee
Myanmar's Rohingya refugees are considered by the United Nations to be one of the World’s most persecuted people.
The Rohingyas are a Muslim ethnic minority group living in Myanmar (also known as Burma where Buddhists are in the
majority) in the western Rakhine State, bordering Bangladesh.
They are considered, by the Myanmar authorities, to be Bangladeshi immigrants and as a result are denied citizenship
and face a raft of restrictions which render them stateless and without rights, in their own homeland.
Two waves of violence in 2012 between the Rohingyas and the majority Buddhists in Rakhine State sparked religious
unrest across the country, leaving more than 200 people dead and around 140,000 homeless.
The Rohingya survivours of the communal unrest are now forced to live in ghetto-like facilities and are unable to
return to their homes that were seized by their Buddhist neighbours. They have become the scape-goats for many of
Burma’s problems, taking the blame for poverty and lack of social services.
In a bid to escape their hellish surroundings many flee in boats, risking long and arduous journeys across the seas,
running the gauntlet of human traffikers, for a better life in other countries such as the United States, Saudi Arabia
and the UK.
Three year old Muhammad Yunus, with her sister, Argina (5) standing in their makeshift camp, while their aunt
prepares food. Outskirts of Delhi State, India.
Three year old Muhammad Yunus looks out of his makeshift
room.
With his grand-daughter, Abdul Matleb (55) is playing with his new born grandson, Muhammad Hassan.
Rabia Khatun (52) warming herself up in front of a camp fire.
Zamila Begum (33) busy cooking food for her children.
Abdul Matleb (55) with his neighbours praying in their makeshift mosque.
Imam Hussain making Paan (Betel-nut).
Rohingya Muslim Refugee children reading in their makeshift refugee camp.
Sajida, three years old, standing in front of her makeshift camp.
Sultan Ahmed (56) pegging his makeshift tent, while Minara (32) stands with her child Aashiqur Rehman (3).
Muhammad Ilias (61) and some of the children in his camp, warming up in front of a fire.
Muhammad Amin (30) with his chickens.
Muhammad Amin (30) with his chickens.
Rabia Begum (52) looking out from his mosque.
A view of an unhygienic makeshift camp at the outskirts of Delhi State of India.
