Islamophobia and the Mental Health of Rohingya Refugees
摘要
The Rohingya, a long-persecuted minority in Myanmar, have been victims of genocide fueled by anti-Muslim hate/Islamophobia. For decades, they have faced systematic discrimination, apartheid policies, and the denial of their fundamental right to citizenship. As a stateless people, the Rohingya have struggled for generations to survive under state-sponsored oppression. Despite clear warnings of an impending genocide, the international community failed in its responsibility to protect them. To escape mass killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement, over one million Rohingya have fled to other countries, often in desperate and inhumane conditions. Despite the magnitude of their suffering, there is a notable lack of research on their mental health challenges and psychosocial needs. This chapter examines the historical context of Rohingya persecution, the ongoing genocide, and the societal and ideological forces that enabled these atrocities. It then introduces a framework for conceptualizing the psychological impact of genocide at the individual, family, and community levels, drawing from comparative genocide studies. The chapter concludes with recommendations for intervention, offering strategies for healing, resilience building, and advocacy, for both the Rohingya and other persecuted minorities facing similar atrocities.