http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia- ... 69914.html

The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic group from the northern Rakhine state of western Myanmar, formerly known as Arakan state.

Their history dates to the early 7th century, when Arab Muslim traders settled in the area.

They are physically, linguistically and culturally similar to South Asians, especially Bengali people.

According to Amnesty International, they continue to suffer from human rights violations under the Myanmar military government since 1978, and many have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh as a result.

The vast majority of them have effectively been denied Myanmar citizenship.

In 1978 an estimated 200,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh.

In 1991-92 a new wave of an estimated 250,000 Rohingyas fled to the country.

Approximately 20,000 Rohingya are living in UNHCR border camps in Bangladesh.