The Story of Amina and Her Family
The Rohingya genocide refers to the systematic persecution and violence against the Rohingya people, a Muslim ethnic minority group from Myanmar (formerly Burma). This tragic event has unfolded over many years, but one particularly harrowing chapter occurred in 2017. The violence during this time shocked the world and has been described as ethnic cleansing and genocide. Here's the story of one family’s experience during the 2017 violence:
The Story of Amina and Her Family (2017 Rohingya Genocide)
Amina, a young woman from the village of Du Chee Yar Tan in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine State, had lived a peaceful life with her family. They were farmers, growing rice and vegetables on land they had worked for generations. Like many other Rohingya, Amina’s family lived in relative isolation from the rest of Myanmar’s population and often faced discrimination and restrictions, but their lives had been rooted in community and family.
In August 2017, everything changed. The Myanmar military began a brutal campaign against the Rohingya population, triggered by an attack on a police post by a militant group. What followed was a violent crackdown, marked by horrific acts of violence, including mass killings, rape, arson, and the destruction of entire villages. The military and police forces accused the Rohingya of being insurgents and targeted civilians indiscriminately.
On the night of August 25, 2017, the military arrived at Amina’s village. Soldiers began setting fire to houses, forcing people to flee into the jungle. As the flames spread, Amina and her family, along with hundreds of others, ran in fear for their lives. They could hear the sounds of gunshots and the cries of people caught in the flames.
Amina’s father, who had been ill, could barely keep up with the rest of the family. Amina helped him walk through the dense jungle as they sought refuge. But the situation only worsened. In the darkness, they were separated as gunfire rang out. Amina’s father, exhausted and frightened, was shot by soldiers in front of her. She was powerless to help him.
Devastated, Amina continued on, carrying her younger brother, who had been injured during the escape. They stumbled through the jungle for days, subsisting on water from streams and foraged food, desperately trying to reach the border with Bangladesh.
They were not alone. Thousands of other Rohingya families were also fleeing the violence, many enduring similar horrors. Entire villages had been burned to the ground, and women and girls were being raped by soldiers. The United Nations estimated that over 700,000 Rohingya fled to neighboring Bangladesh by the end of 2017.
After weeks of perilous travel, Amina and her remaining family members crossed into Bangladesh, where they were finally able to seek refuge in a crowded refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, a coastal area where over a million Rohingya refugees now live. They were given food and medical care, but the trauma of what they had experienced weighed heavily on them.
Amina’s story is one of countless similar stories shared by the Rohingya refugees. The violence they faced was not just physical; it was an attempt to erase their very identity, their culture, and their community. The Rohingya people have been systematically denied citizenship in Myanmar, and the events of 2017—while horrific—are part of a long history of marginalization and persecution.
Since the violence, the international community has condemned the actions of Myanmar's military, but the situation for the Rohingya remains dire. Many still live in overcrowded refugee camps, facing inadequate healthcare, limited opportunities for education, and continued threats of violence. The Myanmar government has denied the charges of genocide, and as of today, justice for the Rohingya people has yet to be fully realized.
The story of Amina and her family is just one of many. The Rohingya genocide is ongoing, and the trauma faced by the survivors, particularly women and children, will last for generations. The international community continues to call for accountability and justice, but the path forward remains uncertain.
The Story of Salma (Rohingya Genocide Survivor)
Salma was a 28-year-old woman living in a small village in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. She was married and had two children, a son named Rahim, who was five years old, and a daughter, Fatima, who was just two. Life in the village was difficult, but it was still a life filled with hope—until the violence began.
On the night of August 25, 2017, Salma's peaceful life was shattered when soldiers stormed their village. The military was targeting the Rohingya population, accusing them of collaborating with insurgents. They came with rifles, machetes, and fire, burning homes to the ground.
Salma recalled the terrifying sounds of gunshots and explosions as the soldiers raided their village. "I grabbed my children and ran out of the house, but it was too late," she said. "The fire was spreading quickly, and we were surrounded by soldiers." In the chaos, Salma lost track of her husband, who was knocked unconscious by a soldier’s blow to the head. She had to leave him behind in order to save her children.
Salma’s first instinct was to flee. With her children in tow, she ran through the dark, dense jungle for hours, avoiding military patrols. The jungle was thick with mosquitoes, and her children were hungry, tired, and scared. Salma had only a small bundle of rice and water, and she knew she had to get to the border with Bangladesh, where there were refugee camps offering some semblance of safety.
As they made their way through the jungle, Salma witnessed countless other families fleeing, too. But not everyone was able to escape. Along the way, Salma saw several women being assaulted by soldiers. "I tried to look away," she said, "but I couldn't. It was so painful to watch."
When they finally reached the border, Salma and her children joined thousands of other refugees who had managed to survive the military’s attack. They were greeted by aid workers and volunteers, who provided them with food, water, and medical assistance. But despite this, the camp where Salma and her children arrived in Cox’s Bazar was overcrowded and lacked the essential resources needed for survival.
Salma’s husband, whom she had last seen unconscious during the attack, was later found among the dead. His body had been discovered by other villagers who had managed to escape. The trauma of losing her husband and experiencing the violence firsthand still haunted Salma.
Living in the camp was not easy. Salma’s children had to adjust to the squalid conditions, and there was little opportunity for education or healthcare. The constant threat of disease and malnutrition hung over them every day. However, Salma was determined to provide her children with as much stability as she could. She found solace in the community of other Rohingya women in the camp, who shared similar stories of loss, hardship, and resilience.
In the months following their escape, Salma became an advocate for the rights of the Rohingya refugees in the camp. She spoke to international organizations, telling her story in the hope that the world would pay attention to the atrocities committed against her people.
Despite the suffering, Salma remains hopeful. "I want my children to have a better future. I want them to know that even after everything we've been through, there is still a chance for a better life." However, the journey ahead remains uncertain for Salma and the millions of other Rohingya refugees still displaced.
The story of Salma is just one example of the countless lives uprooted by the Rohingya genocide. The pain of loss, the struggle for survival, and the longing for justice continue to define the experiences of many who survived the violence of 2017. The Rohingya people face a long road to recovery, but their resilience and determination are a testament to their strength in the face of unimaginable adversity.
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