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Why are Myanmar's Rohingya persecuted?

Why does the Myanmar government persecute the Rohingya? The UN says it seems to be a 'textbook example of ethnic cleansing'. Who is willing to come to their aid?

Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, says she wants to know why 400,000 Muslim Rohingyas have fled into Bangladesh. The UN says what's going on seems "a textbook case of ethnic cleansing".

But why are the Rohingyas facing persecution in the first place and why aren't regional powers in Southeast Asia willing to do more to condemn it and stop it?

And ultimately, could this violence develop into something bigger and more dangerous? To discuss these issues David Aaronovitch is joined by expert guests including:

Professor Penny Green, Director of the International State Crime Initiative

Richard Horsey, a Myanmar Analyst who advises the International Crisis Group

Dr Champa Patel, Head of Asia Programme at Chatham House

Dr Lee Jones from Queen Mary University.

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcast

  • Thu 21 Sep 2017 20:00

Podcast