Who are the Rohingya?

WHO ARE THE ROHINGYA?

Muslim minority in Myanmar (pop. 54 million) where the dominant religion is Buddhism.

1.3 million Rohingya live in impoverished conditions in Rakhine state.

Government insists they are illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Persecuted and not recognised as citizens.

WHY ARE THEY LEAVING?

Poverty, persecution and a worsening political and social situation in Rakhine.

No pathway to citizenship in Myanmar.

Part of exodus alongside those fleeing poverty in Bangladesh.

Usually headed for relatively affluent, Muslim-majority Malaysia.

WHO IS INVOLVED IN CRISIS?

Up to 40 per cent of 7000 people stranded at sea thought to be Rohingya.

Most of rest are Bangladeshi.

Nearly 3000 have swum ashore, or been rescued, off Indonesia, Malaysia or Thailand.

WHAT NEXT?

Thailand to stage regional conference on May 29 to address crisis.

Myanmar faces growing international pressure to improve treatment of Rohingya.

Australia rules out resettling any stranded Rohingya.