Page 326 - A Helping Hand for Refugees

The tragedy of
the Rohingya
Muslims, which
has been ongo-
ing for years, still
persists. Leaving
the coasts of
Myanmar, only a
few of the boats
carrying the Ro-
hingya Muslims
can reach the
coasts of the
neighboring
countries.

While the Rohingya people are pleased at the fall of the existing
regime, they are also not entirely happy with Aung San Suu Kyi, of
whom they had high hopes in the past. The main reason for this is the
way that she avoided using the term "Rohingya" and refused to visit

areas with Rohingya populations during the election campaign. It did
not escape attention that she glossed over the subject whenever
Rohingya was mentioned and described the question of minority rights
as a 'sensitive issue' that should be treated 'very carefully.' 70

Many Rohingya criticize that as a policy adopted in order to avoid
losing the Buddhist vote. Looking at the general condition in the country
from the outside and as a whole, this political maneuver can be inter-
preted in different ways.

It is always hard in a country ruled by a junta to keep the balance
and advocate the rights of those the junta does not want. In countries
such as Myanmar, where the junta has in practice not come to an end
and that have no qualms about resorting to violence and torture, the
most rational course is always to avoid risky moves that might incite
further upheaval or sparks. Had Suu Kyi emphasized the rights of the

324 A Helping Hand for Refugees