The journey of a young Rohingya man from genocide to survival and hope

July 30, 2026

Mohammed Asem, a Rohingya refugee, recounts his traumatic experience fleeing Myanmar in 2017 at age 10 after the 1982 nationality law stripped Rohingya people of their citizenship rights. His family witnessed deadly violence while crossing the Naf River into Bangladesh, eventually reaching the Kutupalong refugee camp where they faced severe shortages of basic necessities and limited educational opportunities. Despite graduating high school, Asem's stateless status prevented him from accepting a scholarship to study in Turkey, as he lacks a passport and official recognition from either Myanmar or Bangladesh.

Who is affected

The Rohingya people, approximately 1.2 million of whom became refugees in Bangladesh according to UNHCR estimates
Mohammed Asem and his family, who fled Myanmar in 2017
Young Rohingya people in refugee camps who lack access to formal education and employment opportunities
Rohingya children who lost their lives crossing the Naf River
Civilian leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint, who were detained following the 2021 military coup
The broader Myanmar population affected by civil conflict following the military takeover

What action is being taken

Mohammed Asem is working as an active advocate, youth activist, and human rights defender
The Arakani Youth Innovation organization (founded in July 2025) is bringing young Rohingya women and men into peaceful dialogue to address camp challenges and find collective solutions
The people of Myanmar are fighting against the military junta
The Arakan Army is carrying out brutalities and oppression against the Rohingya in Rakhine State

Why it matters

This matters because statelessness creates a fundamental barrier to human dignity and opportunity, preventing approximately 1.2 million Rohingya people from accessing basic rights such as education, work, freedom of movement, and legal documentation. The denial of citizenship transforms individuals into perpetual refugees who cannot integrate into society, pursue higher education, or build meaningful futures, even when they demonstrate academic achievement and potential. The ongoing violence, military control, and ethnic persecution in Myanmar demonstrate how statelessness enables systematic human rights violations and genocide with limited accountability, while creating a humanitarian crisis that affects neighboring countries and leaves an entire generation without prospects for return or integration.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices