Fact Check: The Rohingya population in Myanmar was estimated at 1.4 million before 2017.

Fact Check: "The Rohingya population in Myanmar was estimated at 1.4 million before 2017."

What We Know

The Rohingya are a stateless Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group primarily residing in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Before the outbreak of violence and subsequent mass displacement in 2017, the Rohingya population in Myanmar was estimated to be around 1.4 million. This figure is corroborated by multiple sources, including a comprehensive overview on Wikipedia and other scholarly articles that discuss the demographic situation of the Rohingya prior to the humanitarian crisis. The Rohingya community has faced severe persecution, leading to a significant exodus to neighboring Bangladesh, where over 740,000 fled during the 2017 crisis (source-1, source-2).

Analysis

The claim that the Rohingya population was estimated at 1.4 million before 2017 is supported by credible sources. For instance, the Wikipedia entry on the Rohingya people clearly states that "before the 2015 Rohingya refugee crisis and the military crackdown in 2016 and 2017, the Rohingya population in Myanmar was close to 1.4 million" (source-2). This estimate is consistent with reports from various human rights organizations and academic studies that have documented the demographic and socio-political conditions faced by the Rohingya.

However, it is essential to recognize the potential biases in sources discussing the Rohingya issue. The Myanmar government has historically denied the existence of a distinct Rohingya identity, often referring to them as "Bengali" migrants. This perspective is part of a broader narrative that seeks to delegitimize the Rohingya's claims to land and rights in Myanmar (source-1). Therefore, while the population estimate of 1.4 million is widely accepted, it is crucial to consider the context in which these figures are presented and the ongoing political tensions surrounding the Rohingya identity.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the Rohingya population in Myanmar was estimated at 1.4 million before 2017 is accurate and supported by multiple credible sources. The figure reflects the demographic realities of the Rohingya community prior to the significant humanitarian crisis that began in 2017, leading to widespread displacement and ongoing persecution.