Rohingya Man in Canada Calls for Refugee Pathway Amid Ongoing Crisis in Myanmar
A Rohingya man, who now resides in Canada, is urgently advocating for a dedicated refugee pathway for his community members facing severe persecution in Myanmar. This plea comes after his mother was abducted by rebel forces, highlighting the dire situation still faced by the Rohingya people.
The man, originally from Myanmar’s Rakhine state, escaped to Canada in 2012, where he was granted permanent residency. However, his family remains in Myanmar, a country where Rohingya Muslims have faced decades of violence and discrimination. His mother was recently kidnapped by members of the Arakan Army, who threatened her due to her son’s activism abroad. She was released after a ransom was paid, but her safety remains in jeopardy.
The situation in Myanmar has deteriorated further, with the military withdrawing from some areas and leaving the Rohingya vulnerable to attacks from nationalist groups. The man’s mother, who is now hiding in Bangladesh, expressed the desperate need for international intervention, stating that her village has been destroyed and survival is becoming impossible.
The Rohingya community in Canada, along with human rights advocates, are urging the Canadian government to establish a specific immigration pathway to facilitate the resettlement of Rohingya refugees. Despite Canada’s past efforts to assist Rohingya refugees, the community remains concerned about the lack of a clear, dedicated program to help those still trapped in dangerous conditions.
As the crisis in Myanmar continues, the call for action becomes more urgent. Advocates stress that without a dedicated pathway, many Rohingya refugees may never find safety and could continue to face life-threatening conditions in Myanmar and surrounding regions.