I. Introduction: A Legacy of Division 
Myanmar, also known as Burma, has long been shaped by its extraordinary ethnic and religious diversity. However, this diversity has too often been met with exclusion, discrimination, and violent repression. Ethnic and religious minorities in Myanmar have endured decades of persecution, which intensified after the military coup of 2021. As state violence escalates, countless families and communities are forced into exile, sparking one of the largest refugee crises in Asia. 

II. Ethnic Diversity and Inequality 
Myanmar is home to more than 130 ethnic groups, but political and military power rests largely in the hands of the majority Bamar population. This imbalance has fuelled resentment and conflict, with ethnic minorities facing systemic discrimination in education, employment, and land rights. 

III. The Rohingya Genocide 
The Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine State remains the most internationally recognised example of persecution in Myanmar. Denied citizenship under the 1982 nationality law, they are rendered stateless. The military’s 2017 campaign of killings, rape, and village burnings forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, where most remain in refugee camps. The international community has labelled these atrocities as crimes against humanity, yet the Rohingya continue to suffer displacement and denial of rights. 

IV. Christian Minorities Under Pressure 
Christian communities, particularly among the Kachin, Chin, and Karen ethnic groups, face harassment, forced displacement, and the destruction of churches. Religious leaders are often detained or intimidated, while military offensives target villages, leaving civilians with no choice but to flee. 

V. Suppression of Buddhist Dissenters 
Even Buddhist monks who resist the military’s authority face persecution. Monasteries have been raided, and monks arrested for their involvement in pro-democracy protests. This demonstrates that religious persecution in Myanmar extends beyond minority faiths to any community challenging state authority. 

VI. Displacement in Ethnic States 
States such as Kachin, Shan, and Karen remain zones of protracted conflict. Military offensives against ethnic armed groups have resulted in mass civilian displacement. Villages are destroyed, landmines planted, and families forced into refugee camps in neighbouring countries such as Thailand and India. 

VII. Denial of Religious Freedom 
The military government demands absolute loyalty, often framing independent religious activity as a threat to national unity. Unregistered religious organisations face raids and surveillance, while believers risk imprisonment for practising outside state-sanctioned institutions. 

VIII. Gendered Persecution 
Ethnic and religious minority women face unique forms of persecution, including sexual violence used as a weapon of war. Survivors of such abuses frequently suffer lifelong trauma, stigma, and displacement, further deepening their vulnerability. 

IX. The Humanitarian Impact 
The persecution of minorities has created an immense humanitarian crisis. Refugee camps across Bangladesh, Thailand, and India are overcrowded and underfunded, leaving displaced families without proper food, healthcare, or education. The protracted nature of their exile highlights the absence of safe return conditions. 

X. International Response and Limitations 
While international organisations and governments have condemned Myanmar’s treatment of minorities, concrete action has been limited. Calls for accountability at the International Criminal Court remain largely symbolic, as the military continues to act with impunity. 

XI. Diaspora Advocacy 
Myanmar’s diaspora communities have become crucial advocates for persecuted minorities. They raise global awareness, lobby for international sanctions, and provide resources to displaced populations. Despite their efforts, systemic change inside Myanmar remains elusive. 

XII. Conclusion: Exodus Without End 
The persecution of ethnic and religious minorities in Myanmar fuels a relentless exodus that shows no signs of ending. Until the state recognises the rights of all communities and ends its campaign of violence, Myanmar will remain a nation fractured by oppression and mass displacement. For minorities, migration is not a choice but a necessity for survival.