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Suu Kyi came to power through democratic elections in 2016 . In reality the situation worsenede as Buddhist nationalism increased and the new leader refused to acknowledge the existence of the Rohingya , referring to them as the “ illegals ”. She refuted any suggestion of genocide despite increasing evidence to the contrary .
Fearing persecution and death , the failed actions of Suu Kyi drove more than seven hundred thousand Rohingya across the border into nearby Bangladesh , while the government suggested it was all in the name of “ stability in the country ’ s west ”. Staggeringly , the movement was suggested to be around 20 % of the worlds Rohingya population . Those that have remained are facing the same issues that the refugee population face ; no citizenship , meaning no state , and with that comes no access to healthcare , education , freedoms of religion or movement . It has resulted in a Rakhine state that has a poverty rate of almost 80 % compared to 38 % for the rest of Myanmar .
In response , the Rohingya formed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army ( ARSA ) and has undertaken numerous attacks against ethnic Buddhist civilians , bureaucrats , and military within Myanmar . Whilst understandable , this has led to greater Islamophobia and retaliation against the Rohingya .
A 2018 United Nations report laid clear blame at the Myanmar government citing “ clear patterns of abuse ” with a “ genocidal intent ”. It ’ s not surprising that many people are fleeing to wherever they see safe , despite the contrary often being the case .
Bangladesh has witnessed almost one million Rohingya enter the country , a place where they have also felt discrimination that has led to poverty , violence , and worst . The United Nations has tried to intervene yet are hamstrung by nations such as Russia and China
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