Inside Story

What will Myanmar’s new parliament mean for Rohingya?

Democratically elected parliament dominated by Suu Kyi party does not include a single Muslim legislator.

Myanmar’s first democratically elected parliament in decades is being called historic. But it’s also the first parliament that does not include a single Muslim legislator. 

More than a million Muslim Rohingya, who do not have citizenship, were prevented from voting in November’s election.

They are among the most persecuted people on earth. Hundreds were killed during violence between Muslim and Buddhist communities in 2012. Muslim-owned businesses and homes were burned.

Since then, 140,000 Rohingya have been forced into refugee camps. Tens of thousands more have fled from the country on overcrowded boats.

So, what will Myanmar’s new mainly civilian government mean for the Rohingya?

Presenter: Jane Dutton 

Guests:

Kyaw Zwa Moe – The Irrawaddy News Magazine in Naypyidaw.

Adam Cooper – Myanmar Country Representative at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Yangon.

Tun Khin – President of Burmese Rohingya Organisation, UK