The Rohingya crisis

SIR – Burma’s 1931 census, which includes details of the country’s population, its origins and religions, reveals that even then the country was a diverse mix.

There can be no excuse for the wholesale expulsion of any part of an indigenous population.

Biggar, Lanarkshire

SIR – Pope Francis may not have used the word “Rohingya” in his address to Aung San Suu Kyi and Burmese officials on Tuesday (report, November 29), but nobody could miss the meaning of his otherwise very direct words.

He spoke of people continuing to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities. He called for peace based on respect for human rights. He insisted each ethnic group must be allowed its identity, its due respect and a place in the democratic order.

We should not put undue emphasis on whether a particular word was used – the message was clear. I only hope Burma’s leaders listened.

Halifax, West Yorkshire