Diagnosis and Management of Bronchopleural Fistula

Diagnosis and Management of Bronchopleural Fistula Introduction A bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a communication between the bronchial tree and the pleural space. More than two thirds of BPFs are postresectional, with an incidence ranging from 1.5-28 % after pneumonectomy, and 0.5% after lobectomy. Postresectional BPF is associated with mortality of 20-50 %.[1] BPFs can present early (1-7 days), intermediate (8-30 days), or late (more than 30 days) after pulmonary resection. Early fistulas are usually associated with dehiscence of the bronchial stump, while late fistulas are usually associated with failed healing or infection.[2] Besides postresectional etiology, BPFs may be idiopathic, or secondary to necrotizing lung infections, persistent spontaneous pneumothorax, thoracic trauma, Adult respiratory distress syndrome, Tuberculosis, or postprocedural e.g. lung biopsy or bronchoscopy.[3] Diagnosis and management of BPF is a major challenge for clinicians. Diagnosis and localization of BPF may require multiple chest computed tomography (CT) imaging and bronchoscopies.[4] A BPF is usually a manifestation of the underlying lung disease, therefore, measures to reduce the air leak are generally unsuccessful until the patients underlying lung disease has improved. Once there is diminished need for mechanical ventilation, the BPF almost always resolves without specific therapy, apart from controlling active infection and draining the pleural space adequately. Definitive repair using surgery or various bronchoscopic methods has been used to close BPF if either conservative management fails, or is not expected to succeed.[5] Case Description A 69 year old male with squamous cell carcinoma of the right lower lobe (RLL) of the lung underwent thoracotomy and RLL resection. The patient was discharged home on the 6th postoperative day after an uneventful hospital course. The patient presented to the emergency department of an outside hospital ten days later with fever and respiratory distress. Chest X-ray showed a large pneumothorax, and a right sided chest tube was placed. Pleural fluid was sent for culture and sensitivity, and later grew staphylococcus aureus. The patient’s breathing continued to be labored, and was intubated urgently after failing a short trial of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (PPV). A large air leak was observed through the chest tube with each positive pressure breath, even after placing the chest tube on continuous suction. Placement of an endobronchial valve to minimize air leak was attempted in the interventional bronchoscopy suite, but failed and was reported to be technically dif ficult. The patient was subsequently transferred to our hospital for further management. On admission, ventilatory management in the intensive care unit (ICU) was geared towards lowering the tidal volume and plateau airway pressure to minimize the air leak. This was accomplished by providing partial ventilatory support using low rate synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) and a high inspiratory flow rate, as well as decreasing PEEP, inspiratory to expiratory (I/E) ratio, and the tidal volume of each ventilator delivered breath. We used the least amount of chest tube suction that maintains lung inflation, treated bronchospasm aggressively, and continued appropriate antibiotics. We suspected that the patient had a RLL airway stump dehiscence resulting in a BPF, and complicated with staphylococcus aureus empyema. Chest CT (Figure 1) showed a properly placed right sided chest tube surrounded by residual hydropneumothorax. Bronchoscopy showed a defect in the suture line of the RLL airway stump. The patient was taken to the operating room (OR) to close the BPF through a right thoracotomy after switching the single lumen endotracheal tube to a left sided double lumen tube. The abscess cavity was cleaned revealing a 0.6 cm airway stump opening at its base. The stump opening was sutured and mattressed with intercostal muscle pedicle. A Clagett window was created, the cavity was packed tightly, and a vacuum assisted closure dressing was applied. The patient was extubated in the OR to minimize PPV. Antibiotics and dressing changes were done until the patient was discharged from the hospital on the 6th postoperative day. The wound was ultimately closed five months later when the Clagett window decreased in size and healed appropriately. Diagnosis Signs and symptoms of BPF include fever, productive cough, hemoptysis, subcutaneous emphysema, and persistent air leak or purulent drainage from a chest tube. Late fistulas with empyema may be associated with nonspecific symptoms e.g. fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Chest radiographs usually demonstrate a new air-fluid level (hydropneumothorax) in the pleural space.[6] Both chest CT and bronchoscopy are useful in establishing diagnosis, identifying the cause and localizing the bronchopleural fistulous track.[4] Chest CT can also define the empyema cavity and assess the severity of coexisting lung disease. Bronchoscopy can also be used to inspect the bronchial stump, obtain cultures, and assess the contralateral airway. In addition to direct visualization of central BPFs, bronchoscopy can localize peripheral ones by passing a balloon into suspected bronchial segments separately and then inflating for 30-120 seconds. A reduction in air leak through chest tubes would identify the bronchial segment communicating with the BPF.[7] Management Management of BPF is difficult and depends on the underlying cardiopulmonary reserve, nutritional status, fitness to undergo a major surgical procedure, surgical expertise available, and the size and location of the fistula. Conservative management: The primary goals of BPF management include treating the underlying lung disease, reducing the air leak through ventilator adjustments to minimize the tidal volume and plateau airway pressure, and avoiding contamination of the contralateral lung by either positioning the patient with the affected side down or controlling the airway with a double lumen endotracheal tube if needed. Small fistulas can be managed conservatively if the patients clinical condition is stable and the pleural space is well drained. This is achieved by insertion of a chest tube in the pleural cavity, with either minimal or no suction to allow the lung to expand without encouraging air leak through the fistula. Conservative management is safe as long as empyema is drained promptly, but might not be suitable for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.[8] The chest tube can be connected to a one-way valve and the patient can be treated as an outpatient.[9] Ventilatory management: [9,10] Ventilatory management of BPF is geared towards keeping airway pressures below the critical opening pressure of the fistula by reducing the respiratory rate, tidal volume, inspiratory time, PEEP, plateau airway pressure, and transpulmonary pressure gradient. This can be achieved by implementing the following measures: Provide partial ventilatory support e.g. low rate SIMV or Pressure Support. Decrease the tidal volume of each ventilator-delivered breath (5 to 8 mL/kg) Use a high inspiratory flow rate e.g. 70 to 100 L/min. Decrease I/E ratio. Minimize inspiratory time to decrease mean airway pressure, avoid end-inspiratory pause and inverse-ratio ventilation. Minimize PEEP (both dialed-in and auto-PEEP). If previous adjustments are not possible or insufficient, a strategy of permissive hypercapnia is appropriate (decrease minute ventilation and allow arterial PCO2 to rise). Use the least amount of chest tube suction that maintains lung inflation. Avoid patient positions that increase the leak, and keep patient heavily sedated (and paralyzed if needed) if spontaneous movement exacerbates air leak. Treat bronchospasm and other causes of expiratory airflow obstruction. Wean and extubate patients as soon as possible. If the measures mentioned above failed, consider unconventional ventilatory measures e.g. independent lung ventilation,[11] high-frequency jet ventilation,[12] or airway pressure release ventilation.[13] If ventilation continues to be problematic, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be used temporarily until further bronchoscopic or surgical control of BPF is done.[14] Bronchoscopic Management: Interventional bronchoscopy is usually reserved for BPF in patients with high surgical risk and poor general condition, or small fistulas in stable patients after drainage of the pleural space has been achieved and infection is controlled.[15] These procedures are limited to isolated case reports or short case series; the current literature does not allow adequate comparison of different bronchoscopic techniques. Peripheral fistulas (post-lobectomy) tend to be more amenable to this family of techniques compared with more centrally located fistulas (post-pneumonectomy). Bronchoscopic management of BPF is based on the delivery of different materials and small devices into the BPF sites.[16] Examples include: A plug composed of Gel Foam, fibrin, autologous clot, or tissue glue. An endobronchial one-way valve. (Figure 2 3) An expandable endobronchial stent. Local application of silver nitrate. Coagulation of the injured site with the Nd:YAG laser. Antibiotics e.g. Doxycycline, or tetracycline injections. Silicone fillers, coils, and amplatzer devices. Surgical Management: Surgical management has a success rate of 80-95 %, but it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Surgery can be performed as a one or two stage procedure. A one stage procedure is indicated when the BPF occurs within the first few days after surgery. Management usually includes closure of the BPF by reclosure of the bronchial stump reinforced with omental or pedicled flaps, and obliteration of the residual pleural space.[2,17] Management of late occurring fistulas or if an empyema is present involves a two-stage approach. Drainage of the pleural space and debridement of empyema cavity is followed by repair of the air leak once the pleural space is sterile (e.g. Modified Clagett Technique).[18,19] Chronic empyema may need thoracoplasty with removal of a part of the chest wall.[5] If the BPF cannot be identified, open window thoracotomy and daily dressing may be helpful. Success of surgical management is improved by ensuring appropriate antibiotic therapy, adequate nutritional support, and proper care of chest tubes, as inadvertent occlusion can be complicated by tension pneumothorax.[8] Conclusion BPFs offer many management challenges in a complex patient population. The aforementioned case report demonstrates the spectrum of morbidity associated with this serious problem. A post-resection occurrence is the most common etiology, and the diagnosis is usually confirmed with chest CT and bronchoscopy. BPFs require a multimodal management strategy and should be handled in centers with experience with this complex problem. Management includes control of infection, pleural drainage, proper pain control, nutritional support, and ventilatory management tailored to minimize air leak. Both surgical and non-surgical options can be utilized for management of BPFs. Bronchoscopic procedures such as endobronchial valves are emerging as viable treatment options but should be used on a case-by-case basis. Figure 1: Chest CT: Panel A shows a residual hydropneumothorax around a right sided chest tube. Panel B represents a coronal reconstruction that shows the BPF (The arrow points to the communication between the right lower lobe airway and the right pleural space). Image courtesy of Dr. Ahmed El-Sherief. Figure 2: A bronchoscopic image from another patient with right upper lobe BPF. The image shows 2 endobronchial valves seated in the anterior and posterior segments of the right upper lobe. Image courtesy of Dr. Thomas Gildea. Figure 3: The Spiration Valve System (SVS) is self expanding and conforms to the airway. During inspiration (A), the valve blocks distal airflow. During expiration (B), the valve allows trapped air and secretions to escape. Reduction in airflow may accelerate resolution of an air leak. Copyright  © 2013 Spiration, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

Interesting Narrative Essay

â€Å"Who are we looking for, who are we looking for? It’s Equiano we’re looking for. † –those are the words from a chant about the disappearance of an African boy. The disappearance of Olaudah Equiano has become a subject for a national folklore. All along the sixteenth – nineteenth centuries thousands of Africans captured in West Africa had been shipped to be sold in slavery. Many of them wrote about their hard life’s experiences. Precisely in this way, by creating poems and autobiographies, the so-called slave narratives have been born. â€Å"The interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Written by Himself† is one of them. That is a really an interesting narrative. But it is attractive not only because of its plot or author’s writing skills. This became the first memoir of a black slave whose autobiography has been recognized by the public and continued being interesting for millions of people far after its author’s death. â€Å"I had often seen my master and Dick employed in reading: and I had a great curiosity to talk to the books as I thought they did, and so to learn how all things had a beginning. For that purpose I have often taken up a book, and have talked to it, and then put my ears to it, when alone, in hopes it would answer me; and I have been very much concerned when I found it remained silent. † (Equiano 112). These words can be taken out as the main thesis of the research: Equiano showed with all his life that each person, even a slave, is able to reach many significant things in his life. The main aim is to have a great curiosity in â€Å"how all things had a beginning† and strong will. And it is very important for human hearts not to â€Å"remain silent† to other people’s sorrows. There exists a certain problem regarding the authenticity of author’s text. The readers who have bought the Equiano’s book under the Allison’s edition must be aware of that fact that Allison has gathered different parts of Equiano’s autobiography which hasn’t been published by the author. A great deal of text is submitted by Allison, not Equiano. For example, the place in narrative in which Equiano gives references to his marriage. But a few pages earlier Equiano says he is free. Equiano changed the earlier passage when having added the relation to his marriage in 1792 in order to preserve the right cronology. Allison hasn’t taken into consideration that fact. Therefore, it can be seen that the chronology hasn’t been observed in Allison’s edition. Within such a vision the Equiano’s book becomes even more mystical. It sounds like a far and vague voice perceived through another author’s interpretation. Nevertheless, despite of some discrepancies in Allison’s interpretation of Equiano’s narration, the latter remains a masterpiece of African literature. As it was already mentioned, the book in case became a sensation in the literature of that time as that was the first book written by a black man that has been edited. But there are many other points in favor of Equiano’s book. One of them is that this book became a sample of new literature genre – a kind of social protest expressed in a very original way. There are no direct appeals for stopping the slavery in Africa by Africans but at the same time Equiano’s book is a burning request for ending the enslavement of Africans by other nations’ representatives. â€Å"I believe there are few events in my life that have not happened to many† –you can find these words in Equiano’s autobiography as well. Those events are the kidnapping of l1-year-old Equiano and his serving to European slave traders. His book isn’t a result of imagination but proper author’s experiences. Equiano was a member of Ibo nation which resided in Nigeria. When Equiano was eleven he was kidnapped by slave traders together with his sister. He was brought to Virginia and was sold to Michael Pascal there. Pascal changed Equiano’s name to Gustavas Vassa (after a Swedish monarch from sixteenth century). Equiano has passed through many adventures before he bought his freedom in 1776. He continued traveling through American colonies after that but as he still was afraid to be recaptured he went to England where he had been working for Charles Irving – a scientist who was famous for his experiments with slat-water purification. Eqiano was traveling then over Italy, Turkey and even the Artic studying many sciences in the course of that. Equiano’s autobiography was first published in 1789. It was published in two volumes and was entitled â€Å"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself†. The narrative was declared to be one of the most prominent slave narratives of that time. In this narrative one can find Equiano’s experiences which he acquired being on the board of the slave ship, working as a gunpowder carrier in the Mediterranean or as a barber while going on as a sailor. Thanks to all of those great talents and skills got by himself in the course of his sated life, Equiano became a great intellectual of his age. His autobiography, besides being a brilliant pattern of autobiography, became a classic of the slave narrative genre. Equiano has described his adventures in a very vivacious manner. Besides, his book has been released very timely – that time much attention was paid to negro–slavery society. Equiano’s book became one point in favor of the general hatred that was rising against the West –India planters who had been noted to reveal horrible cruelties directed on their slaves. Speaking about ‘humanity’ in his book Equiano had several purposes in mind. First of all, he meant that the slavery is inhuman. Equiano represents it as a cruel business which results in a great deal of human misery. Of course, Equiano calls for the elimination of slavery in his autobiography. But he tries to reveal the most horrible thing that is the base of European slave traders’ attitude to the African nations. That is the anti-racist idea which was rather a wide-spread one in England of eighteen century. According to this idea African were not fully human beings. Equiano’s book is a great plea for the dissolving of this terrible myth in human’s minds. With a great talent he described a life of a man who had been a victim of that myth -his own life. Taking into consideration the anti-racist intentions of Equiano’s autobiography, there are no denying facts that his book is a considerable political writing as well. A slave wrote a politically considerable book –that is the main Equiano’s paradox of that time which made human’s hearts to pay more attention to the miserable situation of Africans. A black boy, kidnapped by European traders and grew up among them, taught everything he could and wrote a kind of black self-presentation with a strong political meaning. The writing that book was a real feat by Equiano. He was brave enough to create his autobiography after having lived all that through by himself. That was a real proof of that African people were not only â€Å"fully human† beings but they were a great nation whose aspiration for freedom was not less than of any other nation of the world. Olaudah Equiano’s life is a brilliant example of human’s will in its most prominent expression – willing to be free. By that time not too many of slavers’ narrations had appeared. Those were mostly oral narrations by a slave which were gathered by white scientists. Equiano’s narrative was different from those ones. It was different not only because of his writing skills but, first of all, because he has written it by himself and, moreover, he published it by himself. He published it by subscription and by that way he forced many people to pay for his book in advance. Among those people the Prince of Wales and a range of dukes were. Another strong act by Equiano was that he not only had published the book but went on promoting it. He carried out a range of lections in England, Scotland and Wales. By promoting his book he was promoting at the same time the abolition of slavery. He was present at the lections arranged by local abolition committees in many regions. Thus, Equiano managed not only to convert his autobiography in anti-slavery document but converted his whole life into anti-slavery movement. As one can see, the poor slave kidnapped and grown up in slavery resulted to be a wonderful author, publisher, producer and political figure. He showed how an ordinary autobiography of a slave may convert into a strong social and even political movement. Equiano‘s narrative was proclaimed by many critics to be the most remarkable among the books by black writers of the 18th century. Arna Bontemps in his introduction to â€Å"Great Slave Narratives† (1969) characterized Equiano’s narrative as â€Å"the first truly notable book in the genre of the salve narrative†. Equiano became an entire historical epoch regarding the African culture. It has become the base of all African studies. His book will remain an eternal testimony of slavery as a shameful act of humanity. Equiano wrote the autobiography but his main aim was not to make his life famous but to show all the consequences which the violence and aggressiveness may have. The autobiography by Equiano is worth of reading because of many reasons. First of all, the personal skills of the author made his description colorful and dynamic. He managed to quickly learn the language, religion, law and commerce of his enslavers. Thus, he found the possibility to buy his freedom, find employment, travel the world, and become a legitimate advocate for abolition. The horrors that Equiano was forced to face didn’t not break him. He was able to win thanks to a combination of luck, intelligence, and hard work in his character. His ironic sense of humor in narrating his numerous adventures and roles in life indicates that he perceived himself as a survivor. He was aware of all the difficulties that could wait for him and nevertheless was ready to cope with them. In the beginning of narrative the goal of freedom is established, and he then expends all of his energy on attaining it. Equiano wrote his narrative after he had been converted to Christianity. Christianity means spiritual rebirth and this formula certainly was a strong point while structuring his story. It also caused an efficient influence on the readers’ minds. So, the spiritual author’s rebirth also influenced on Equiano’s writing – he wrote his autobiography according to the personal religious, spiritual changes. Equiano is often compared to Robinson Crusoe. Like the famous hero of Daniel Defoe he got into the foreign environment and managed to survive there and carry his will to freedom and happiness through all the difficulties of his outstanding life. That’s why Olaudah Equiano will always remain in human’s hearts as a symbol of freedom and powerful human will. And having passed many years hundreds of people when reading the â€Å"â€Å"The interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Written by Himself† will say: â€Å"â€Å"Who are we looking for, who are we looking for? It’s Equiano we’re looking for. † Bibliography 1. Olaudah, Equiano. (Edited with an introduction by Robert J. Allison). The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano, written by himself. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press, 1995. READ EXCERPTS from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano . . . From Ch. 1: Description of Equiano’s Early Life and the Culture of his People Read online one of the first detailed descriptions ever published of a traditional African culture from the perspective of an African, which makes for interesting comparisons to Part I of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. The Life of Olaudah Equiano (British Library: African Collections) Extract from: The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, The African. Written by Himself. London: Printed for and sold by the author, No. 10, Union-Street, Middlesex Hospital, [1789]. Vol. 1, Chapter 1, pp. 4-38: http://www. bl. uk/collections/africanolaudah. html From Ch. 2: â€Å"THEY†¦ CARRY OFF AS MANY AS THEY CAN SEIZE† â€Å"My father, besides many slaves, had a numerous family, of which seven lived to grow up, including myself and a sister, who was the only daughter. As I was the youngest of the sons, I became, of course, the greatest favourite of my mother, and was always with her; and she used to take particular pains to form my mind. I was trained up from my earliest years in the arts of agriculture and war; and my mother adorned me with emblems, after the manner of our greatest warriors. In this way I grew up till I was turned the age of eleven, when an end was put to my happiness in the following manner:–Generally, when the grown people in the neighbourhood were gone far in the fields to labour, the children assembled together in some of the neighborhood’s premises to play; and commonly some of us used to get up a tree to look out for any assailant, or kidnapper, that might come upon us; for they sometimes took those opportunities of our parents’ absence, to attack and carry off as many as they could seize. One day, as I was watching at the top of a tree in our yard, I saw one of those people come into the yard of our next neighbour but one, to kidnap, there being many stout young people in it. Immediately, on this, I gave the alarm of the rogue, and he was surrounded by the stoutest of them, who entangled him with cords, so that he could not escape till some of the grown people came and secured him. â€Å"But alas! ere long, it was my fate to be thus attacked, and to be carried off, when none of the grown people were nigh. One day, when all our people were gone out to their works as usual, and only I and my dear sister were left to mind the house, two men and a woman got over our walls, and in a moment seized us both; and, without giving us time to cry out, or make resistance, they stopped our mouths, and ran off with us into the nearest wood. Here they tied our hands, and continued to carry us as far as they could, till night came on, when we reached a small house, where the robbers halted for refreshment, and spent the night. We were then unbound; but were unable to take any food; and, being quite overpowered by fatigue and grief, our only relief was some sleep, which allayed our misfortune for a short time. † –From Ch. II of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African (London, 1789). Rpt. Mintz, â€Å"A Son of Africa: Resources for Teachers†: http://www. newsreel. org/guides/equiano. htm [Corresponding to sections of 1814 ed. reprinted in Gates, The Classic Slave Narratives p. 25. ] From Ch. 2: â€Å"A MULTITUDE OF BLACK PEOPLE†¦ CHAINED TOGETHER† â€Å"Olaudah Equiano vividly recounts the shock and isolation that he felt during the Middle Passage to Barbados and his fear that the European slavers would eat him† (â€Å"A Son of Africa†). The European slavers’ â€Å"complexions, differing so much from ours, their long hair and the language they spoke, which was different from any I had ever heard, united to confirm me in this belief [that Equiano â€Å"had got into a world of bad spirits and that they were going to kill me†]. Indeed, such were the horrors of my views and fears at the moment, that if ten thousand worlds had been my own, I would have freely parted with them all to have exchanged my condition with that of the meanest slave of my own country. When I looked around the ship and saw a large furnace of copper boiling, and a multitude of black people of every description chained together, every one of their countenances expressing dejection and sorrow, I no longer doubted my fate. Quite overpowered with horror and anguish, I fell motionless on the deck and fainted. When I recovered a little, I found some black people about me, and I believe some were those who had brought me on board and had been receiving their pay. They talked to me in order to cheer me up, but all in vain. I asked them if we were not to be eaten by those white men with horrible looks, red faces and long hair. They told me I was not . . . . I took a little [wine] down my palate, which, instead of reviving me as they thought it would, threw me into the greatest consternation at the strange feeling it produced, having never tasted such liquor before. â€Å"Soon after this, the blacks who had brought me on board went off and left me abandoned to despair. I now saw myself deprived of all chance of returning to my native country or even the least glimpse of hope of gaining the shore, which I now considered as friendly. I even wished for my former slavery in preference to my present situation, which was filled with horrors of every kind. . . .[Equiano was then â€Å"put down under the decks† and ] There I received such a salutation in my nostrils as I had never experienced in my life. With the loathesomeness of the stench and the crying together, I became so sick and low that I was not able to eat, nor had I the least desire to taste anything. I now wished for the last friend, Death, to relieve me. Soon, to my grief, two of the white men offered me eatables and on my refusing to eat, one of them held me fast by the hands and laid me across the windlass and tied my feet while the other flogged me severely. I had never experienced anything of this kind before. . . . If I could have gotten over the nettings, I would have jumped over the side, but I could not. The crew used to watch very closely those of us who were not chained down to the decks, lest we should leap into the water. I have seen some of these poor African prisoners most severely cut for attempting to do so, and hourly whipped for not eating. This indeed was often the case with myself . . . . [Meeting some of his countrymen among the chained Africans below decks,] I inquired of these what was to be done with us. They gave me to understand we were to be carried to these white people’s country to work for them. I then was a little revived, and thought if it were no worse than working, my situation was not so desperate. But still I feared that I should be put to death, the white people looked and acted in so savage a manner. I have never seen among my people such instances of brutal cruelty, and this not only shown towards us blacks, but also to some of the whites themselves. One white man in particular I saw, when we were permitted to be on deck, flogged so unmercifully with a large rope near the foremast that he died in consequence of it, and they tossed him over the side as they would have done a brute. This made me fear these people the more, and I expected nothing less than to be treated in the same manner. . . . I asked [my countrymen] if these people had no country, but lived in this hollow place [the ship]? They told me they did not but came from a distant land. ‘Then,’ said I, ‘how comes it that in all our country we never heard of them? ‘ They told me because they lived so far off. I then asked where were their women? Had they any like themselves? I was told they had. ‘And why do we not see them’ I asked. They answered, ‘Because they were left behind. ‘ I asked how the vessel could go? They told me they could not tell, but there was cloth put upon the masts by the help of the ropes I saw, and then vessels went on, and the white men had some spell or magic they put in the water when they liked in order to stop the vessel when they liked. I was exceedingly amazed at this account, and really thought they were spirits. I therefore wished much to be from amongst them, for I expected they would sacrifice me. But my wishes were in vain–for we were so quartered that it was impossible for us to make our escape. † â€Å". . . .At last, when the ship we were in had got in all her cargo, they made ready with many fearful noises, and we were all put under deck, so that we could not see how they managed the vessel. . . . The stench of the hold while we were on the coast was so intolerably loathsome, that it was dangerous to remain there for any time†¦ some of us had been permitted to stay on the deck for the fresh air. But now that the whole ship’s cargo were confined together, it became absolutely pestilential. The closeness of the place and the heat of the climate, added to the number of the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. This produced copious perspirations so that the air became unfit for respiration from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died–thus falling victims of the improvident avarice, as I may call it, of their purchasers. This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, which now became insupportable, and the filth of the necessary tubs [toilets] into which the children often fell and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women and the groans of the dying rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable. Happily perhaps for myself, I was soon reduced so low that it was necessary to keep me almost always on deck and from my extreme youth I was not put into fetters. In this situation I expected every hour to share the fate of my companions, some of whom were almost daily brought upon the deck at the point of death, which I began to hope would soon put an end to my miseries. Often did I think many of the inhabitants of the deep much more happy than myself. I envied them the freedom they enjoyed, and as often wished I could change my condition for theirs. Every circumstance I met with, served only to render my state more painful and heightened my apprehensions and my opinion of the cruelty of the whites. . . .† â€Å"One day, when we had a smooth sea and moderate wind, two of my wearied countrymen who were chained together (I was near them at the time), preferring death to such a life of misery, somehow made through the nettings and jumped into the sea. Immediately another quite dejected fellow, who on account of his illness was suffered to be out of irons, followed their example. I believe many more would very soon have done the same if they had not been prevented by the ship’s crew, who were instantly alarmed. Those of us that were the most active were in a moment put down under the deck, and there was such a noise and confusion among the people of the ship as I never heard before to stop her and get the boat out to go after the slaves. However, two of the wretches were drowned, but they got the other and afterwards flogged him unmercifully for thus attempting to prefer death to slavery. . . . I can now relate, hardships which are inseparable from this accursed trade. Many a time we were near suffocation from the want of fresh air, which we were often without for whole days together. This, and the stench of the necessary tubs, carried off many. † –From Ch. II of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African (London, 1789). Rpt. Mintz, â€Å"A Son of Africa: Resources for Teachers†: http://www. newsreel. org/guides/equiano. htm [Corresponding to sections of 1814 ed. reprinted in Gates, The Classic Slave Narratives pp. 33-34; 35-36. ] Carey also reprints online Extracts from Equiano’s Narrative, Ch. 2: â€Å"Boarding a Slave-Ship†: http://www. brycchancarey. com/equiano/extract2. htm â€Å"The Middle Passage†: http://www. brycchancarey. com/equiano/extract3. htm From Ch. 2: â€Å"DREAD AND TREMBLING† Olaudah Equiano offers a first-hand account of his arrival in the West Indies in 1756 (â€Å"A Son of Africa†). [Arrival at â€Å"the island of Barbadoes† in the Caribbean:] â€Å"As the vessel drew nearer, we plainly saw the harbor and other ships of different kinds and sizes and we soon anchored amongst them off Bridgetown. Many merchants and planters came on board . . . . They put us in separate parcels and examined us attentively. They also made us jump, and pointed to the land, signifying we were to go there. We thought by this we should be eaten by these ugly men, as they appeared to us. When soon after we were all put down under the deck again, there was much dread and trembling among us and nothing but bitter cries to be heard all the night from the apprehensions. At last the white people got some old slaves from the land to pacify us. They told us we were not to be eaten, but to work, and were soon to go on land, where we should see many of our country people. This report eased us much, and sure enough, soon after we landed, there came to us Africans of all languages. â€Å"We were conducted immediately to the merchant’s yard, where we were all pent up together, like so many sheep in a fold, without regard to sex or age. As every object was new to me, everything I saw filled me with surprise. What struck me first was that the houses were built with bricks and stories, and in every respect different from those I had seen in Africa, but I was still more astonished to see people on horseback. I did not know what this could mean, and indeed I thought these people were full of nothing but magical arts. While I was in this astonishment, one of my fellow prisoners spoke to a countryman of his about the horses who said they were the same kind they had in their country. I understood them, though they were from a distant part of Africa and I thought it odd I had not seen any horses there; but afterwards when I came to converse with different Africans, I found they had many horses amongst them, and much larger than those I then saw. â€Å"We were not many days in the merchant’s custody, before we were sold after their usual manner . . . On a signal given, (as the beat of a drum), buyers rush at once into the yard where the slaves are confined, and make a choice of that parcel they like best. The noise and clamor with which this is attended, and the eagerness visible in the countenances of the buyers, serve not a little to increase the apprehension of terrified Africans . . . . In this manner, without scruple, are relations and friends separated, most of them never to see each other again. I remember in the vessel in which I was brought over†¦ there were several brothers who, in the sale, were sold in different lots; and it was very moving on this occasion, to see and hear their cries in parting. † –From Ch. II of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African (London, 1789). Rpt. Mintz, â€Å"A Son of Africa: Resources for Teachers†: http://www. newsreel. org/guides/equiano. htm [Corresponding to sections of 1814 ed. reprinted in Gates, The Classic Slave Narratives pp. 37-38. ] At this point in Ch. 2 of the Narrative, Equiano passionately addresses his European enslavers: â€Å"O, ye nominal Christians! might not an African ask you, ‘learned you this from your God, who says unto you, Do unto all men as you would men should do unto you? Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends, to toil for your luxury and lust of gain? Must every tender feeling be likewise sacrificed to your avarice? Are the dearest friends and relations now rendered more dear by their separation from the rest of their kindred, still to be parted from each other, and thus prevented from cheering the gloom of slavery, with the samll comfort of being together, and mingling their sufferings and sorrows? Why are parents to lose their children, brothers their sisters, or husbands their wives? Surely this is a new refinement in cruelty, which, while it has no advantage to atone for it, thus aggravates distress, and adds fresh horrors even to the wretchedness of slavery. † –From Ch. II of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African, 1814 ed. as reprinted in Gates, The Classic Slave Narratives p. 38. Read all of Chapter 2 of Equiano’s Autobiography online courtesy of Africans in America (WGBH/PBS Online): http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/aia/part1/1h320t. html â€Å"The Abuse of Slaves in the West Indies† Read Ch. 5 excerpt from â€Å"Olaudah Equiano: The Life of Gustavus Vassa† courtesy of World Civilizations (Washington State Univ. , 1996, 1999): http://www. wsu. edu:8000/~dee/Equiano. html More selections, also available on the Washington State Univ. web, courtesy of Reading About the World, Vol. 2; ed. Paul Brians and others, Harcourt Brace Custom Books: http://www. wsu. edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/equiano. html â€Å"Equiano Gains his Freedom† Read Ch. 7 excerpt, courtesy of Brycchan Carey: http://www. brycchancarey. com/equiano/extract4. htm â€Å". . . Equiano’s account of his own manumission in 1766. Equiano’s owner, the Philadelphia Quaker Robert King, had in 1765 promised Equiano that he could buy back his own freedom if he ever raised the sum of forty pounds, the price King had himself paid for Equiano. King, who conducted much of his business from the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean Leeward Islands, put Equiano to work on one of his ships. Fortunately for Equiano, this meant that he could earn the money by petty trading, an activity in which he received some encouragement from the ship’s ‘friendly captain’; Thomas Farmer† (Carey). â€Å"The Case Against the Slave Trade† Read Ch. 12 excerpt, courtesy of Brycchan Carey: http://www. brycchancarey. com/equiano/extract5. htm â€Å". . . Equiano’s arguments against the slave trade, in particular, his argument that the trade did not make sound economic sense† (Carey). A 1789 REVIEW of Equiano’s Narrative From the beginning, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavas Vassa, the African. Written by Himself was a bestseller, in such demand that it experienced some fifteen editions, and attracted reviews in the leading journals of the time. One favorable 1789 review that appeared in London’s The Monthly Review is reprinted here: â€Å"A Review of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavas Vassa, the African. † The Monthly Review [London] Vol. LXXX, 1789, p. 55152. Gale Literature Resource Center [Online Subscription Database]. The Gale Group, 2004. Central Oregon Community College Library, Bend, OR. 17 August 2004. [NOTE: Gale Literature Resource Center subscription database articles are available online to COCC students!! ] Among aspects of the above 1789 review to notice, is the fact that the anonymous reviewer addresses the question of the â€Å"authenticity† of Equiano’s â€Å"very intelligent† Narrative, suggesting â€Å"that some English writer† may have assisted Equiano in the â€Å"compilement, or, at least, the correction of his book: for it is sufficiently well written. † SIGNIFICANCE OF EQUIANO’S SLAVE NARRATIVE â€Å"The slave narrative is a polemical genre; it makes no bones about it. † –Anthony Appiah, quoted in Ferguson (249). Brycchan Carey outlines the political goals of Equiano’s slave narrative in â€Å"Olaudah Equiano: A Critical Biography†: http://www. brycchancarey. com/equiano/biog. htm According to Carey, to show that a black African had abilities equal to a white European is one implicit political goal encompassed by Equiano’s statement early in his autobiography: â€Å"‘If it affords any satisfaction to my numerous friends, at whose request it has been written, or in the smallest degree promotes the interest of humanity, the ends for which it was undertaken will be fully attained, and every wish of my heart gratified. ‘ When Equiano refers to ‘humanity’ he seems to have several things in mind. Firstly he of course means that slavery is inhumane in that it is a cruel business resulting in a great deal of human misery. He is calling for its abolition. But as well as the overt anti-slavery agenda there is a more subtle anti-racist project going on to dispel some of the racist myths current in eighteenth-century England. Amongst these was an increasingly widespread myth that Africans were either not fully human or were of a less developed branch of humanity. Part of Equiano’s project is to dispel this myth entirely by showing the world that he, in common with all human beings, is quite capable of writing a fine book describing a life which would be considered extraordinary and full of talent and seized opportu.

Rohingya Problem

ROHINGYA PROBLEM INTRODUCTION 1. The word Rohinga is derived from Rohang, the ancient name of Arakan. Situated on Burma's south-eastern border with Bangladesh. Arakan is one of the provinces of Burma and has a population of five million 40 percent of whom are Muslims. Burma was officially renamed as Myanmar on 18 June with its capital at Yangoon. Military rule covers the most of the history of Burmese politics. The Arakan Muslims are unhappy with the prevailing political system in Burma and some of them are harbouring an idea to establishment an independent homeland[1].The military regime in Burma have tried to contain the secessionist movement in that region and in the process they have unleashed reign of terror. Every instrument of torture and supression have been used by the regime in Burma to terrorise the Rohingyas to submission[2]. This attempt of Burmese ruler has caused ttrauma and ordeal for the Rohingyas. Their plight have been high lighted by international media quite aptl y and the problem has been quite known as well. 2. There are reports that the Burmese government is promoting resettlement in the area and replacing the Rohingyas with the Magh tribe.Rohingyas have been evicted from their homeland forcibly and driven out to seek refuge elsewhere. These refugees are taking place in Bangladesh cause tremendous problems for Bangladesh. On the other hand the settlement of Magh tribe, who believes in Buddhist faith, are aimed at pleasing the ego of ethnic Burmans. 3. There are many reasons for the genesis of the crisis in the state of Arakan, but references to demography, social, cultural, religious and historical dimensions are required to be studied to understand the problem. In Arakan these people do not inter marry .Rohingyas speak Bengali and they are under the influence of Bengali culture and civilization. At the religious level, there are irreconciliable differences. Burma has been a great centre of Buddhist learning and civilization for centuries , but the Rohingyas are proud of Islamic heritage. Constitutionally, and politically Buddhism and Muslims are antagonistic to each other and have the feeling of ethno-cenrrism. None of the communities are willing to accommodate the grievances of others. Finally there historical reasons for the two communities to feel different. 4. Our presentation on the subject will cover the following: . Over View on Geography and Demography. b. Background to Rohingya Problem. c. Effects on Bangladesh. because of historical references, in many places of our presentation we will be using the words Burma and Rangoon which are to be kindly read as Myanmar and Yangoon. AIM 5. The aim of the presentation is to highlight the problems of Rohingyas in Myanmar and its effects on Bangladesh. OVER VIEW ON GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHY 6. Geographically it is lying along the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, in the south-east Asia, covering an area of 261,226 square kilometers.The country is bord ered by Thailand and Laos on the south-east , China on the north-east and Bangladesh and Indian state of Assam on the norht-west. It is considered to be the gateway to Indo-China peninsula as well as to China. Myanmar and Bangladesh share 171 miles of common border and have traditional commerce and cultural ties. There are 14 province and Arakan is one of them. 7. The people of Myanmar are of Mongoloid stock and derive from three main branches[3]: a. Tibeto-Burman. b. Mon-Khmer. c. Tai-Chinese. 8. Tibeto-Burman. The Tibeto-Burman group includes the Proto-Burmese, Kachins, Karens, Chins, Nagas etc.They entered Burma in three main waves from three directions. The Protoburmese probably came down the head-waters of Irrawaddy river and then from the north-east down the Salween valley. The Kachins entered from the north-west while the Chins and Nagas found their way in, a little further to the south. The Karens moved down the line of ridges to the east of the Sittang river and some the ea rlier groups settled west of the Irrawaddy from where they moved into the delta. 9. Mon-Khmer. The Mon-Khmer group which includes Austro-Asiatic races including Mon, Palaung, riang etc.They moved down the Mekong river into the Greater Indo-China peninsula and some groups fanned out westward into the Shan plateau and south-easternBurma. 10. Tai-Chinese. Tai-Chinese includes the Shans, Lao, Shan-Bama etc. They also came down the Salween river and settled in the Shan plateau. HISTORY OF ROHINGYA Muslim Population in Myanmar 11. The most striking feature of the spread of Islam in Myanmar is that it started gaining strength not through conversion but through immigration of Muslims and progeny of mixed marriages. Muslim seamaen first reached Myanmar in ninth century.During the fifteen and sixteen centuries, Tenasserim and Mergui were known as Muslim cities, traded with Malacca, Bengal and Mecca. During the seventeenth century Muslims proved to be capable traders. They owned flourishing bu siness houses and with their wealth had become so important that they also held some important key administrative appointments. But these Muslims, mostly from southern India were not acceptable to the native population. With the arrival of the British and French in the area at the end of seventeenth century, most of the Muslims were removed from the office and some were even killed. 2. The Muslims continued to settled near coastal towns of Myanmar and marrying the Burmese women despite maltreatment given by the local administrators. Many Muslims sea traders took this opportunity to get settled in these region of Burma and the descendants of these Arab, Persian and Indian Muslim traders formed the nucleus ‘Burman Muslim† community, which known as †Kala†. With the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch, British and French Muslim domination of the seas began to decline. From the middle of the sixteenth century to the middle of eighteenth, Muslims served the Burmese Ar my. 3. During the nineteenth century Muslims again dominated not only in military services but also in administrative posts. Some of them were later on executed because the kings were not pleased their insistence on following their religious tenets. In the sixteenth century the Burmese Kings started settling Muslims in upper Burma, near Mydeyu in the district of Shwebo. These villages still exist today. The settlers were mostly Muslim prisoners who had been brought there at variuos periods. These Muslims received lands as their payment for their services to the king. 50 musketeers used to be supplied to the palace guard and this service was passed to the generations. Another group of Muslims from north India came to offer military service. The Burmese took care to distribute the Muslim settlers in small groups and in many villages to prevent the Muslims from forming a majority in any particular place. Gradually the Muslims were being looked down by the Burmese and their privileges b egan to fall. Further transfer of Muslim took place to the places where the Burmese refused to go. Muslim Population in Arakan 14.Arakan province renamed Rakhine by the Myanmar government came under the influence of Indian subcontinent in the 9th century A. D. In 11th century A. D. Arakan was made part of unified Burma. In the fifteenth century A. D. Arakan became an independent Muslim state under the rule of Sulayman Naramithla. The rule of Muslim King continued till it was conquered by Burmese Buddhist King Budapaya in 1784. Though Persian was the state language of this Muslim Arakan state, Bengali literature and poetry also flourished under direct patronage from Arakan Royal Court.Once a powerful state, Arakan Kingdom included Chittagong up to Feni river. During Aurangzeb's period the Mughuls captured Chittagong and the area east and south of river Karnaphully i. e. the present district of Banderaban and Cox's bazar which remained within Arakan Kingdom. In 1784 the Burmese King c onquered Arakan including Cox's bazar. However, the British drove the Burmese from Cox's bazar in late 1790's and then conquered Arakan in 1823. Arakan was under British occupation since 1826, and an enterprising Rohingya commercial class emerged in Akyab- a fishing village turned capital of Arakan division. 5. The post independent upheaval of a group of Arakan Muslim under the banner of â€Å"Mujahideens† brought about the religious ambitions of the Muslims in Myanmar. Upto 1955 the Mujahideens posed a serious law and order problem though they did not have much significance as a military threat to Rangoon as posed by other anti government forces. In general, local Arakan Buddhists community suffered a great deal of atrocities inflicted by them. This left a scar in the the relation between the Buddhist and Muslim communities, especially in Arakan.The Mujahideens failed to achieve the support of other Arakanese and Burmese muslims, and their insurrection came to an end in 1955 . The 1963-64 nation wide census revealed a large number of Arakanese Muslims sacttered about in Rangoon and Delta area. This caused considerable alarm to the Burman Buddhist authorities. Origin of Rohingya 16. Arakan is inhibited mainly by the Rohingyas and the Maghs. The Maghs are of Mongolian origin and Buddhist by faith. The Rohingyas are Muslim. The present estimated population of Arakan is 2. 2 million.Of these 1. 4 millions are Muslim. The word â€Å"Rohingya' came from the word â€Å"Rohang' which is the ancient name of Arakan. The Rohingya Muslim constitute the dominant portion of Arakan , known earlier as Rohang. The Muslim of Arakans who werev ancestors of present Rohingyas came the main land in three waves: a. First Wave. In the 8th centuries A. D. immediately after the advent of Islam Arab traders started visiting Bengal and Arakan. Many of these Arabs settled down in Arakan and inter mingled with locals in various forms. b. Second Wave.In 1660 the Mughul prince Shah Shuja having been defeated by emperor, left Bengal and on the invitation of the Arakanses Magh King landed in Arakan. Shah Shuja had train of five thousand followers who accompaned him to Arakan. Subsequently Shah Shuja and his family perished due to the treachery of Magh king Chandathu Sharma. However, Shah Shuja's followers settled in Arakan. Being the Indian muslim they also merged with the local Rohingya comminity. c. Third Wave. The third wave entered Burma during the British rule when the Muslim rose population significantly.These Muslim went for work including from Bangladesh and got settled down over Arakan and other parts of Myanmar. 17. The arrival of Muslim in Arakan started few centuries earlier and predated the arrival of many other people and races now inhibiting in Myanmar including Arakan. There are 153 registered ethnic races living in Myanmar where Rohingyas are not included. Though Rohingyas became gradually majority in Arakan but the political power remained wit the Maghs. PROBLEMS OF ROHINGYAS IN MYANMAR 18. General.Since the independence of Myanmar in 1948, the myanmar government had always been disarray due to multidimensional socio-political disorders. Ultimately, number of armed separatist movements had been organized and the number of insurgency groups continued to rise. Insurgency activities in Rakhine state along Bangladesh Border has also increased over the years. The suppressive attitude of the Military Junta gave rise to the political movement of the ethnic minorities all over Myanmar, where the movement of Rohingyas is no exception. The major problems of Rohingyas are disscussed in the subsequent paragraphs. 9. Depopulate Arakan of the Muslims. The withdrawal of British troops after the Second Wworld Wwar created a serious administrative vacuum in Arakan. The Magh communities in connivance with the Burma Independent Army killed approximately 100,000 rohingyas and drove out 50,000 across the border to the then East Pakistan. The idea was to depopulate Arakan of the Muslims. The relation between Arakan Muslims and Buddhist communities deteriorated[4]. 20. Right of Secession. During the independence of Myanmar from British, Rohingyas were kept away from all negotiations.Aung San and leaders of other nationalities signed the historic Union Treaty, where the Union of Burma was formed consisting of individual nation states with the right secede after ten years if the nationalities so wished. The agreement was adopted and included in the Union’s constitution under the heading â€Å"Right of Secession†. Unfortunately, no Rohingya representative from Arakan was invited to attend the convention. Thereby, Arakan lost her identity and constitutional guarantee of their rights and freedom[5]. 21. False Hope to the Rohingya.Some of Rohingya took up arms to redress their grievances after the independence. They were persuaded to lay down their arms on the false promise of granting political rights and similar treatment as other nationalities by Burmese authority. The Burmese authorities repeatedly broke their promises forcing the Rohingyas wander into the neighboring countries. Since 1942, approximately 1. 2 million Rohingyas were either forcibly expelled or had to flee the country to escape persecution[6]. 22. Ethnic Diversity. Most of the problems of Myanmar are genetic in nature.As many as fifty groups speaking over 100 languages and dialects have been identified for which the nation had to be administratively organised along ethnic lines, with seven so called states with non Burmese majority. All non Burmese majority states are located near the border. Somehow, the other people of the non Burmese majority states have traditional ties and bondage with their respective bordering neighbours in the form of religion, language, culture etc. During the independence from Britain, some of the states even opted to be the part of some other country and not Burma.The fact that concerns us is mo st Arakanese opted to be the part of the then East Pakistan, which remained a dream to them. Right from the inception of Burma, the government had been always reluctant about socio-political development of those non Burmese majority states. Most of the time the people of non Burmese majority states were oppressed. In consequence, insurgent activities continued to increase in those states[7]. 23. Muslim Imprisonment. Everything in Myanmar started degenerating as the Burmese way to socialism came in.As Arakan is the least developed province in Myanmar, the economical hardship was worst and a large number of Arakanese migrated into Myanmar proper. The 1963-64 nation wide census revealed a large number of Arakanese Muslims scattered about in Rangoon and Delta area. This caused considerable alarm to the Bhama Buddhist authorities. Then the Ne Win regime imposed a law, which restricted the movement of Muslims in Arakan, especially prohibiting the movement of Akyab district. Thus the Musli ms were put into a sort of imprisonment since 1964.However, poverty in Arakan could not stop all migration effectively. In the 1974 census, the authorities again found out the Arakan Muslim spreading over the commercially mobile areas of Myanmar. Ne Win, the socialist did not want that. The Muslims should be in Arakan only so that the Arakan Buddhist and Muslim could be used against each other. This was the best way to keep the national liberation movement of the Arakanese checked. Subsequently, the military regime imposed tighter restrictions on the movement of the Muslims. They could not even move inside their township or from village to village.Thus they were virtually imprisoned[8]. 24. Demand of an Independent State. The Muslim movement in the British India for separate Muslim nation brought about great impact upon the Muslim of Burma. Especially Arakanese Muslims, being in touch with the Muslim League in East Bengal, were very much motivated with the idea of an independent sta te. The motivation turned into Jihad or Holy War in 1948-54 after the independence. The Mujahids demanded a separate Muslim state inside Burma in name of Arakanistan with the active patronization of Pakistan. However, the movement failed.But later they realized their struggle under the flag of Nationalism with the name of Rohingya[9]. 25. Migration from East Pakistan. While the Mujahideen subsided, East Pakistan faced poverty and famine. Arakan in Burma being close to border , some of the then East Pakistanis entered Arakan for their survival and possible future. This was helped by the corrupt immigration, army, police and other officials. This illegal entry was also to be believed to be the master mind of the then Burmese Minister of Home Affairs to gain vote for his party in the election of 1956 and 1960[10]. 6. Political and Armed Movement. Since the day of independence, the Rangoon government has been keeping the Muslim population in Arakan as a balancing force against the Araka nese Buddhists to put down struggle for the national liberation. But the Muslims gradually realized that since 1964, the Buddhist and Muslim of Arakan forged unity to oppose military regime together . Many of the muslims joined Arakan National united Organization . Similarly the Arakan National Liberation Party patronized Muslim guerrillas, who emerged under the name of Rohingya.Such an alliance alarmed the Rangoon government. Meanwhile the emergence of the Arakan Liberation Party added much worry to the Junta. In 1977, the Ne Win forces wiped out the main army of these two groups along with their leaders. The event spread a cloud of misery over the Arakanese population. At the same time, a coup attempted by Arakanese was also foiled[11]. 27. Operation â€Å"King Dragon Offensive†. Burmese Army General Ne Win ruled the country from 1962 to 1988. As many as nine operations were carried out by Burmese Army /Territorial forces.Of which the major offensive was launched under the code name of â€Å"King Dragon Offensive† in 1978 to oppress the Rohingyas and the remnants of Arakanese Liberation forces. A large scale of atrocities were recorded by the ruling Junta. Ne Win ordered that small villages be abolished and concentrated in one large village which was fenced and stockaded with only one gate. Subsequently, hundreds of villagers were uprooted by force and driven into stockaded villages. Opposition and disobedience were met with stern and severe punishment. The table below will show the degree of atrocities carried out by the ruling Junta[12]: Ser |Township | Men Killed |Women Raped |Vills Destroyed | |1 |Kyauktaw |1855 |891 |74 | | | | | | | |2 |Ponnakyann |353 |930 |105 | | | | | | | |3 |Rethedaung |91 |340 |19 | | | | | | | |4 |Minbya |135 |315 |25 | | | | | | | |5 |Mrohaung |55 |239 |19 | | | | | | | |6 |Buthidaung |142 |560 |6 | | | | | | | |7 |Maungdaw |295 |1121 |5 | | | | | | | |8 |Mry Pon |- |- |6 | | |Total |2926 |4396 |259 | 28. Rohingya Refugee Crises in First Phase. The operation King Dragon Offensive of Ne Win forced about 30,000 Rohingyas to enter Bangladesh. The efugees started arriving daily in an ever increasing number. By June 1978, the total had swelled to over 200,000 and housed in 13 camps in bordering districts of Bangladesh and Myanmar. The overwhelming majority of the refugees, thus, appeared to be children and old people. The refugees arrived principally from the townships of Akyab, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Myank-U, Kathe-taung, Pauktan, Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathidaung. While the villagers were suffering, Ne Win tried to get the support of city folks by showing that they were driving out â€Å"Kalas† a word used derogatively for foreigners. This was entertained by some ignorant Arakanese in the cities.Most believed that the Ne Win regime started thinking about pushing the Muslims out into Bangladesh after the 1974 census, which revealed the migration of the Muslims into Burma proper and Eastern b order. Whatever their origin, they are Burmese officially, and they have every right to move inside their own country. The restriction of their movement since 1964 and final forceful expulsion of the Arakanese Muslims is the infalliable proof of the racist nature of Bhama Military rregime led by General Ne Win[13]. 29. Reasons for Rohingya Exodus. a. Refugees' Viewpoint. The refugees stated the following as the principal reasons for their exodus into Bangladesh[14]: 1)Harassment by the Burmese Government agencies which reached a climax during the ‘Operation Dragon' mounted to get rid of the Muslim from Arakan. (2)Lack of adequate security in the areas of their residence. (3)Restriction on their free movement. (4)Rice levy with intolerable severety amounting to oppression. (5)Omission of names of Muslims from the population returns of the census of 1973. b. Viewpoint of the Burmese Government. The viewpoint of the Burmese Government were different and these are as following[15] : (1)The ‘Operation Dragon', a semi-military search operation was not directed against the Muslims but against the illegal immigrants.They maintained that traditionally the movement of population was from the west to the east and it was well known that many people from Bangladesh had come to Burma without valid authority. In 1971, people from Bangladesh in thousands took shelter in Burma. (2)It was claimed that the Burmese Government that a survey was carried out to detect the illegal immigrants. It revealed that some Arakanese Muslims left Arakan as they did not like to submit themselves to this checking operation. Hence, those who had fled were considered by the Burmese Government as illegal immigrants. 30. Repatriation of Refugees. The effective diplomatic effort of Bangladesh and with the assistance of UNHCR, both , Bangladesh and Myanmar settled down the issue.Some of the salient of the agreement are as under[16]: a. ‘A' category refugees holding National Registrati on Certificate (NRC) would be repatriated immediately in the first phase with their family members. b. ‘B' category refugees, who could show any document issued by Burmese authority or any other proof as to their residence in Burma would be repatriated in the second phase. c. ‘C' category refugees are the left over ones and would be considered at the last. d. It was mutually agreed that the repatriation would start not later than 31 August 1978 and be completed within a period of six months from the date the first batch would return to Burma. e.It was also mutually agreed that the two governments would, after completion of repatriation of all Burmese refugees, initiate measures to cooperate for the prevention of illegal crossings of the border by persons from either side and be prepared to receive repatriated residence found to have crossed the border subsequent to the enforcement of the two governments. As agreed upon, the repatriation started on 31 August 1978. The ope ration, however, ran into difficulties with ‘C' categories refugees numbering 11,149. Following a series of discussions between the two governments, the government of Burma finally agreed that these refugees should be allowed to move into the reception camp located within Burma, where Burmese officials would take their oral evidence and after verification repatriate them to their respective villages.By 29 December 1979, the repatriation operation was virtually completed. All the repatriates, on arrival in Burma were given a repatriation card and eventually resettled in their respective villages. But the problem of who should be granted rights and privileges of citizenship remained an active issue. 31. Burma Citizenship Law. The Rohingyas came to Arakan about thousand years ago and made a significant contribution to her culture and heritage. They became an integral part of Arakan's political, social, economic and cultural life. But the citizenship laws passed in 1982, made the Rohingyas alien in the land of their fathers and ancestors.The new citizenship law defines citizen as those nationals who are the members of the ethnic groups that had settled in Burma before 1824, the date that marked the beginning of the British colonial period, during which foreigners, especially Indians and Chinese freely entered the country. The non nationals were eligible to be classified as â€Å"associates† or â€Å"naturalised citizens†, according to the detailed procedures specified in the law. The new law bars non nationals from holding important state and party positions, serving in the armed forces and police and pursuing higher education in the national institutions. These provisions have seriously affected the individual rights and privileges of non nationals, which they had previously enjoyed. This has further aggravated the socio-political disorders in the country[17]. 32.Change in Traditional Identity. As already mentioned, Bangladesh shares about 171 mile long border with Myanmar and that entire border belt forms part of the Rakhine state. Historically what was known as Arakan state has been officially changed to Rakkhine state by the military rulers some time in early 1980, siding with the existing Buddhist population. This step of the government created a serious commotion among the Arakan Muslims. Perhaps this was one of the major reasons for which number of insurgency groups has drastically increased from 1983 to 1993. Along the Bangladesh border, there were only four insurgent groups in 1983 which has increased to seven in 1993.Besides, latest reports reveal the existence of a new insurgent group known as â€Å"All Burma Democratic Student Front† claiming themselves to be the armed student wing of Sun Kyi, the democratic leader of Myanmar. The details of various insurgent groups operating in Rakkhine state is mentioned below[18]: a. Burmese Communist Party(BCP). b. National United Party of Arakan(NUPA). c. National United Front of Arakan(NUFA). d. Arakan Army(AA). e. National League for Democracy (NLD). f. Chin National Front (CNF). g. All Burma Democratic Student Front(ABSDF). h. Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO). j. Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front (ARIF). k. Harkatul Ziehadul Islam of Arakan (HZIA). As of now the socio political disorder in Rakhine state is considered to be quite alarming.The gradual rise of insurgency activities has also seriously affected the historical peaceful relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar resulting into cross border violations and other issues of discord between the two countries. Role of SLORC 33. Deprivation from Voter List of 1989 Election. Through promulgation of Burmese Citizenship Act 1982, the Rohingya Muslims were deprived of their citizenship rights. They were made stateless. To prepare the voter list for 1989 General Electronics, the authorities initiated scrutiny through issue of National Registration Certificate (NRC) and Foreigner’s Reg istration Certificate (FRC) in Rakhine state.The Rohingya Muslims were then put through harassment as the Myanmar immigration authorities insisted on categorizing the Muslim inhabitants as â€Å"Bengalee Burmese†. The Rohingyas on the other hand insisted or being categorised as Arakan Muslims or Rohingya Muslim or Rakhine Muslims. The immigration authorities refused to accept the citizenship application from the Muslim population which resulted in the exclusion of a large number of Rohingya Muslims from the voter list[19]. 34. Establishment of Cantonments in Muslims Owned Lands. The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) after the 1988 military take over decided to set up a number of new military cantonments in Rakhine state particularly in the north, where the Muslims are a majority.The authorities acquired homestead or arable lands belonging to the Muslims without any compensation. The Muslims found themselves homeless, when they refused to be rehabilitated in suit able mountainous region. The SLORC has taken up extensive programme of building cantonments and roads linking the cantonments and other military formations in the Muslims populated areas. The army forced local inhabitants to work in those projects with little or no wages at all. The Myanmar authorities do not provide fresh adequate ration to the troops deployed in the Arakan. As a result, they forcibly collect cattle and poultry from the locality at a much below market price.In Rakhine state, more Muslims’ lands were acquired by the SLORC for construction of cantonments and roads. The surplus land is given to Magh convicts and retired Army personnel on attractive terms, an attempt to change ethno-demographic pattern of the area[20]. 35. Military Atrocities. The Mynmar military authorities have destroyed or desecrated many Muslims places of worship. They have looted their properties, killed the inhabitants and raped their women. The SLORC took away rice from the fields belongi ng to the Muslims in the border areas to prevent from selling rice in Bangladesh. The Rohingyas had participated in the democratic movement of 1988.The present military regime has reportedly forced Muslims to pay compensation for government property damaged during the mass upsurge[21]. 36. Refugee Crisis in Second Phase. In 1989, the popular unrest started for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. The student led the movement for democracy and the government of Saw Mung suppressed it with an iron hand. There were a lot of casualties and the majority of the people who died or faced the tyranny of the army were Burmans. Thus the Burmans were unhappy with the political system. In order to divert the attention of the people, it was necessary for the military regime to do something. As a sequel they focussed their attention once again on the Rohingyas.Again there was a search for the citizenship documents and in the absence of these documents, the Rohingyas had to face the atrocities. Therefore, once again the Rohingya issue surfaced in 1991 and this time approximately 270,000 Arakanese, mainlly the Rohingyas, crossed into Bangladesh. This time surfaced with greater gravity bringing both the countries almost close to a war. However, due to indirect mediation by China and under the pressure of various International Human Rights Organization, approximately 250,000 refugees have been accepted back by Myanamr and rest approximately 40,000 is in the process of repatriation. Though apparently Rohingya issue has died down, but with no assurance to us that it will not recur in future.As such, it is apprehended that Rohingya issue will continue to be a major stumbling block in the improvement of relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar. IMPACT ON BANGLADESH 37. The Rohingya problem has significant impact on Bangladesh. This can be stated as mentioned below: a. Effect on Population. Bangladesh is already an overpopulated country. The influx of the Rohingya refugees going to make Bangladesh more crowded with dense population. Besides this, the Rohingyas are having the same ethnic origin that of the people of the Chittagong area. They have got affinity with the Bangladeshis in terms of language and culture. The problem of differentiating them from local population make this problem more pronounced.This provides the Rohingyas an easy opportunity to become floating population in Bangladesh. It is feared that, presently more than 15000 Rohingyas are at large without any accountability. The intermarriage between the locals and Rohingyas are also making things more complicated in this aspects. b. Effects on Economy. Bangladesh is one of the poorest nation in the world and one of the major causes of her poverty is over population. Internationally the Rohingya problem has not been recognised so much, as such the out side support is not also very encouraging. Mostly it is the Bangladesh government who is dealing with this problem with her meager resources.Pro viding ration ( 4. 5 kg rice and adequate quantity of at and oil per refugee per week ) and other utilities to 19 Rohingya camps is costing Bangladesh heavily. Onrush of Rohingya refugees have already taken its toll on the resource constraint Bangladesh. The matter has put immense pressure on a densely populated country like Bangladesh. The poverty within region has increased many folds. It has already created a socio-economic imbalance in the area causing untold sufferings to the locals. Agricultural lands are being turned into sprawling refugee camps. Refugees allegedly sell rice and pulses rationed to them for buying vegetables and other essentials.Such illegal trade caused tremendous impact on the market price in the local area. At times the refuges are making false ration card to draw more ration. c. Effect on Ecology. The Rohingya refugees have taken shelter in camps which are located on 608 hectares of forestry land in Cox’s bazar and Bandarban district. What is causin g serious concern is that the surrounding rich forest are being destroyed by the refugees who are felling trees to use them as fuel or selling them for their livelihood. Already, the forest here has been denuded of the bamboo as they have been cut for making houses for the refugees. We are afraid that, if the refugees are to stay here for another year, nothing would be left for the forest.The forest department claims that till September 92 the refugees have destroyed forest resources worth Taka 740 million. They estimate that the refugees have damaged natural forest of 2021acres and new plantation of 91. 05 acres. d. Effect on Law and Order. The situation in and around the camps is a hostile one. The locals who lived scattered in the villages are scared of the refugees who live together and who in a minute can organise a united attack on the locals. The local fears that they are being outnumbered by the refugees. It is alleged that thousands of refugees have already slipped out of t he camps and settled in the nearby villages and towns.With Bangladesh and the UNHCR consolidating the relief operation for the refugees, an opposition backed group, Rohingya Repatriation Action Committee (RRAC ) has stepped up its campaign against the refugees. Launching a movement of 12 point demands, the RRAC’s main focus is against the move to build new camps at Jammupara off Ukhia. They complain that the camp would destroy their firms and encroach upon government owned forests. Besides these, at least five refugees were killed, one hundred injured and nearly five hundred others were arrested following commotion that swept different refugee camps. It is alleged that at times the refuges have used fire arms.There are instances where the agitating Rohingyas assaulted camp officials and on duty policemen. The militant refugees of the Dhuapalong camp also attacked a nearby village and looted the homes of the villagers. It is reported that some foreign NGO’s and the UNCH R officials were involved in agitating the refugees. The UNCHR promptly denied such an allegation. e. Effects on Politics. Presently Bangladesh is not in a comfortable situation to deal with this matter politically. The attitude of the Myanmar government in regards to Rohingya problem is not conducive to diplomatic solution. At the same time Bangladesh is not in a situation to enforce her desire in this aspect on Myanmar.There are possibilities of detoriating relationship between Bangladesh and China as China maintains extremely good relation with Myanmar. A perpetual enmity with Myanmar leaves Bangladesh to be sandwiched between two antagonistic neighbours India and Myanmar. Enmity with Myanmar also is likely to deprive Bangladesh of the opportunity of exploiting Myanmar’s future economic and commercial potential. There are also strong public and political opinion in favour of internationalising the Rohingya issue especially involving the United Nations. Bangladesh is carefu lly avoiding to do so and trying for bilateral negotiations. It may be possible that China has played a covert role in convincing Bangladesh to settle for a bilateral solution to save Myanmar from embarrassment.The relationship between the Bangladesh Government and some of the NGOs have also detoriated as the NGOs were playing negative role in the repatriation process. f. Effect on Administration. The Rohingya problem has become a huge administrative burden on the Bangladesh Government. It has become a real problem to maintain accountability of the refugees and maintain the administration of their camps. Bangladesh had to establish separate administrative organisation where huge number of government officials are placed to look after the administration of the Rohingya refugees. CONCLUSION 30. The arrival of Muslim in Arakan started few centuries earlier and predated the arrival of many other people and races now inhibiting in Myanmar including Arakan.There are 153 registered ethnic races living in Myanmar where Rohingyas are not included. Though Rohingyas became gradually majority in Arakan but the political power remained wit the Maghs. 31. Rohingyas are an unfortunately peiple. Although, they are a part of the Burmese race and have been living in Arakan for about thousand years, they have been persistently subjected to persecution by the successive Myanmar regimes. In the past they were driven out of their homes more than once. Contrary to the Burmese Laws, the Burmese Constitution and international Laws, these ill fated peiple have been discriminated because of their race, religion and culture.The last nail in the coffin in these series of repression and discrimination was the passing of the black law called, Burmese Citizenship Law 1982 by which the Rohingyas have been made aliens in the land of their ancestors. All these happened mainly because Myanmar has been ruled by the dictators where human right violations are common practices. 32. The Rohingya issu e is not of recent origin. It has been there for more than hundred years. The exodus of Rohingya refugees is a recurrent matter and took place several times under the persecution of different Burmese ruler. The systematic manner in which the Burmese government is proceeding with its current actions apparently reveals that they intend to uproot the Rohingyas from Arakan alleging them to be illegal immigrants.Rohingyas on the other hand, demand for the citizenship rights and full protection of their culture, religion, ethnic identity and property. The impacts of Rohingya refugees on Bangladesh are significantly. It is posing threat to our socioeconomic condition, environment, security and bilateral relationship of Bangladesh. BIBLIOGRAPHY Books 1. S R Chakravarty (Ed), â€Å"Foreign Policy Of Bangladesh†, Haranand Publications, 1994. 2. Abdul Razzak and Mahfuzul Haque, â€Å" A Tale of Refugees in Bangladesh†, Centre for human rights, 1995. 3. Shwe Lu Maung, â€Å"Natio nalism – an Analysis of Society, Culture and Politics of Burma†, University Press Limited, Dhaka, 1986. 4.Muhammad Shamsul Haq, â€Å"Bangladesh in International Politics-Relations with Neighbours: Burma†,University Press Limited, Dhaka, 1993. Presentation Papers 5. Rohingya Problems by 9 Infantry Division. 6. Modernization of Myanmar Army by 24 Infantry Division. Interview 7. Mr. Faruk Alamgir, DDG News, Bangladesh Television. 8. Mr. Manzoorul Haque, Senior Logistics & Coordination Officer, UNHCR. 9. Mr. Nurul Islam, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ———————– [1] SR Chakravarty (Ed), Foreign Polcy of Bangladesh, 1994, P. 293. [2] Ibid P. 293. [3] Presentation paper on â€Å"Rohingya problem† by 9 Infantry Division. [4] A tale of Rohingyas in Bangladesh by Abdur Razzaq and Mahfuzul Haque,1995, P. 15-16. [5] Ibid, P. 16. [6] Ibid, P. 7] Shwe Lu Maung, Nationalism and Ideology – an Analysis odf Society, Culture and Polotics of Burma, University Press Limited, Dhaka, 1989, P. 61-62. [8] Modernazition of Myanmar Army, Presentation by 24 Infantry Division, P. 12. [9] Ibid, P. 60 – 61. [10] Ibid, P. 61. [11] Ibid, P. 62 – 65. [12] Ibid, P. 62 – 64. [13] Muhammad Shamsul Haq, Bangladesh in International politics- Relations with Neighbours: Burma, University Press Limited, Dhaka, 1993, P. 135. [14] Ibid, P. 136. [15] Ibid. [16] Ibid. P. 141. [17] Modernasization of Myanmar Army, Opcit. P. 13.. [18] Ibid. P. 14 – 15. [19] A Tale of Rihingyas in Bangladesh by Abdur Razzaq and Mahfuzul Haque, 1995, P. 20. [20] Ibid, P. 21. [21] Ibid.

Summary of My Freshman Year Written by Rebekah Nathan Free Essay Example, 2750 words

While the world is yet to celebrate the invention of fertility technology, many people are already poking holes in the same technology in as far as health issues are concerned. For instance, the process that is used to trigger hormones necessary for ovulation requires a treatment procedure to revert the process to normalcy. People who have tried this technology have had a problem in trying to have hormone production stabilized; others view this as a threat to their health. The other problem with fertility technology is the fact that some people are tied in some weird culture and belief that fertility can only occur through intercourse and that no other approach to that equals the results. While this may look ignorant, the chances of technologists misusing the privilege of that knowledge are not secured against by law. The fear here is, people may want to experiment technology beyond the urgent need of recreation and may go unnoticed by the law. The other categories of people who fal l in love are the clingy; the secure; the fickle; the casual, and the uninterested. We will write a custom essay sample on Summary of My Freshman Year Written by Rebekah Nathan or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page Some of the mothers may not be able to withstand the pain of giving birth and in some cases, mothers some die or sustain injuries in their sexual organs.