Burma Human Rights Network’s report: “We also have dreams”
When asked what needed to change in order for them to go back to Burma, the Rohingya refugees
interviewed by BHRN listed several practical changes they felt were needed. The majority said equal
rights and safety had to be ensured for them to be able to return. International pressure was raised
as a requirement several times, implying that nothing could change if the world didn’t raise serious
pressure on Burma to equitably return refugees to the country. Accountability was another frequent
concern, typically tied to the international community pursuing charges against the Burmese army
through the International Court of Justice or International Criminal Court.
Some refugees mentioned the need for reparationsa or land to settle as a requirement for them to
return to Burma. The Rohingya who fled Burma left everything behind and these properties were
often destroyed or taken over. Others left livestock and valuables behind that they can never get
back. It is logical as a practical matter as well that those returning to Burma will need land, homes,
and some financial means to restart their lives.
A 40-year-old woman told BHRN, “At least we would be able to live at our own home place in
Myanmar. We would be able to provide education for our children. We think it would be safer for our
lives there than here. It’s not safe for our lives here. The children aren’t getting proper education
here. We cannot sleep well. We are often worried about arsonists. Though our houses were burnt
down in Myanmar, we were still able to bring our jewelry. We couldn’t save any single or minor thing
from our burning shelters here. We couldn’t conceive that we would be tortured like we are here. All
of our things have been burnt down here, so we aren’t able to live. We cannot live on their lentils and
rice. It’s said that we won’t be able to sell at shops here anymore. First of all, there shouldn’t be any
discrimination against us. Second, we should be recognized as citizens as other ethnic groups are.
Now, the violence which is currently committed against Buddhists or Muslims by the government in
Myanmar should stop. The government committed violence against us first, and it is committing
www.bhrn.org.uk
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