1. Ethnic Cleansing in Myanmar
By Marlena Martin

2. Conflict Summary
• Significant religious unrest in Myanmar between Buddhists and the minority:
Rohingya Muslims.
• According to the 1982 Citizen Law Rohingya people are declared foreign residents/
illegal immigrants. (www.globalpost.com)
• Rohingya communities forcibly displaced due to mob attacks on villages and
persecution. Thousands fled the country by sea to neighbouring countries.
• Limited media attention on the conflict as controlled by Burmese government.
• Rohingya denied the right to get married and children born are not issued with
birth certificates.
• Burmese government will not accept an independent international commission to
investigate crimes against humanity.
• No punishment is given by government for any injustices to Muslims.

3. Parties involved
• Burmese Government VS
• Myanmar Officials
• Community Leaders
• Buddhist Monks
• State Security Forces
• Arkanese Mobs
• Rohingya Muslims
• Aung San Suu Kyi
(democratic leader)

4. Emotions
• Desperation
• Fear
• Anguish
• Despair
• Desolation
• Misery
• Torment
• Strength
• Determination
Situational Traits
• Crisis situation as negative
attitudes and fixed opinions of
Buddhists about Muslims.
• Conflict of culture and ethnic
religion. Only one superior race in
Buddhist views and that is them.
• Behaviours and emotions
displayed suggest social ranking of
Rohingya Muslims as inferior and
deserving of injustice.

5. Conflict Negotiation Behaviours Displayed
Myanmar Buddhists:
• Aggressive Behaviour style. I win- you lose behaviour.
• Genocide against Muslims is supported by all authority figures.
• Destructive Strategy as Buddhists wanting all of ‘pie’ for themselves.
Rohingya Muslims:
• Injustice has forced most Muslims to emit submissive/ passive behaviour
as constant acts of violence occurring.
• Other Rohingya Muslims display assertive behaviour as they have held
protests, and have not held riot’s or been violent towards the Burmese
government.

6. Points of View
• Buddhist religion superior according
to majority of Myanmar citizens.
• “Human Rights Watch (HRW) dub
violence as crimes against humanity.”
(www.globalpost.com)
• Government call Rohingya Muslims
illegal Bangladesh immigrants.
• Rohingya citizens want to stop the
killing of innocent people.
• The Press consider Rohingya people
to be intruders.
Shared Interests
• Strong belief in religion.
• Large amount of followers.
• One main idol as part of their
religion: Allah, Buddha.
• Each religion has strong values,
and unique customs and
traditions.

7. Four F’s to Achieve a Resolution
Facts:
• Destructive, Ego conflict situation.
• Urgent resolution needed to stop the
severe injustices occurring against
the Rohingya people.
Focus:
• Stop the discriminatory killing of
Rohingya people.
• Establish equality by creating new
laws which fairly acknowledge the
views or Muslims and Buddhists.
Feelings:
• Mutual understanding, compassion, a
positive attitude towards change and
equality must be established.
Feedback:
• Clear lines of communication must
be established between both parties.

8. Negotiated Settlement Between Parties Involved
• The Buddhist community does not want to negotiate, bargain, or discuss
changes with the Muslim people. It is therefore difficult to estimate a fair
resolution for this conflict.
• The Burmese government have the most power and influence in this conflict.
• A resolution can only be reached if the government undergoes huge political
restructure.

9. Best Alternative To a Negotiated
Agreement
The best alternative for the
current situation is for
international government
officials in outside countries
(Bangladesh, Thailand or
China) to join forces and fight
to end the genocide in
Myanmar.

10. Strategies for Negotiation
• Establish positive communication between parties: listen to
gather information and uncover needs, work out future
plans.
• For the greater good of society create shared goals based
on the shared interest of everyone.
• Officials with enough power to influence should use a
status negotiation strategy to stand up to stop this crisis.
(i.e. The use of power create a positive difference).

11. • Communicate is key to negotiation. I would suggest using a compromise o
a collaborative negotiation style so that both parties win.
• Rohingya people should use a Autonomy negotiation strategy .
• Rohingya people could use free media such as Facebook to showcase what
injustices are going on in their country. Media attention would put
pressure on the Burmese government to make changes, or external
countries would be forced to intervene.
• There should be an investigation into the crimes against the Rohingya
people granted by the independent international commission.

12. References
Resources
• Barnett, S., & O’Rourke, S. (2011). Communication, organisation and innovation. (3rd ed.). Auckland; New Zealand: Pearson.
• Burma: End 'Ethnic Cleansing’ of Rohingya Muslims. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/04/22/burma-
end-ethnic-cleansing-rohingya-muslims
• HRW accuses Myanmar of ‘ethnic cleansing’. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130422/hrw-myanmar-ethnic-cleansing
• Myanmar: Will anyone speak up for the world's most persecuted minority? (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/commentary/will-anyone-speak-up-for-the-world’s-most-
persecuted-minority?
Videos
• YouTube. (2012) Burma killings shocking video_ Must See and Share !!!. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_cKhxPzVjE
• YouTube. (2012). Muslim killings in Myanmar - Western Media(CNN,BBC,FOX .....) still silent. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU5deomBcRw
• YouTube. (2013). Stop Killing MUSLIMS in MYANMAR. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1oIpE9GeYM
• YouTube. (2010). What's happening in Burma. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgJn7VzoPus
Picture Reference List available . See printouts attached.