Lending a Helping Hand to Arakan

The Arakanese Muslims (Rohingya), considered by the UN to be the world’s most persecuted minority, were subjected to horrific ethnic cleansing in August 2017. In those critical days, the Republic of Turkey, in a forceful move, called for Bangladesh to “open its doors.” The decisive difference in Turkey’s response from that of others was its generosity in offering to assume any and all costs Bangladesh would face as a consequence of this action. Throughout this process, Turkey has also continued its intensive efforts toward finding a diplomatic solution to the problem. The Turkish Republic’s efforts for the Rohingya people have primarily been to assist the hundreds of thousands taking refuge in Bangladesh. However, Turkey has also continued its efforts at cooperation and activities within the Myanmar borders. This chapter covers the details of Turkey’s humanitarian and diplomatic actions for the persecuted Rohingya in the 2010s.