Complacency Enables Impunity to Prevail
A Renewed Call to Action on the 7th Anniversary of the Rohingya Genocide
August 25, 2024
It is truly a somber occasion that on the seventh anniversary of the Rohingya genocide, we continue to repeat our call for peace and justice for the community. Genocide doesn’t happen in a vacuum and it doesn’t happen overnight. The sustained and systematic persecution of the Rohingya of Burma culminated in the August 2017 clearance operations by the Burmese military that left villages burned to the ground, women raped, thousands dead, and forced hundreds of thousands more to seek safety in neighboring Bangladesh. But the persecution did not end that August. It has continued and at this moment has reached new heights of brutality. Following the breakdown of a ceasefire in November 2023 between the Arakan Army (AA) and Burmese military, there has been an escalation of violence between the two groups, with Rohingya and other civilians caught in the middle. We are gravely concerned about the reports of gross human rights abuses and mass casualties in Rakhine State.
The Burmese military, which the U.S. determined was responsible for committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Rohingya, has a long history of inciting intercommunal tension. They continue to utilize these tactics, spreading disinformation and promoting hate speech. In late February the military began forcibly conscripting Rohingya to fight against the AA. Rohingya who are forced to fight alongside the military are essentially being used as human shields. The AA is also using hate speech, referring to the Rohingya as “terrorists” and “Bengali”. Widespread communication restrictions are complicating the situation, making it difficult to verify information, thus furthering the spread of mis and disinformation and making it harder to determine the extent of atrocities. Humanitarian assistance is also being blocked and populations are facing an extreme health crisis and food insecurity.
In May, the AA attacked Rohingya areas of Buthidaung township, burning whole areas to the ground and sending tens of thousands fleeing. But those that were fleeing had nowhere safe to shelter. The intense fighting moved on to Maungdaw township, another area with a concentrated Rohingya population. With no protection options, many Rohingya have tried to flee to Bangladesh. It is at this border that Rohingya face a multitude of challenges. On the banks of the Naf river, dividing the two countries, Rohingya have been attacked by drone and artillery shells. Those that make it to boats are being shot at. Many have drowned. Those surviving are being pushed back across the border. Bangladesh authorities are not officially allowing Rohingya to enter the country. For anyone that has been able to cross the border, they are not allowed to register with UNHCR and have no access to resources. It is the Rohingya refugee community that is supporting these new arrivals while they themselves continue to face ongoing restrictions and insecurity.
The world no longer remains seized of the plight of the Rohingya but the situation is more serious than ever and warrants the attention of all. What we are bearing witness to now is a worsening continuation of the longstanding persecution of the Rohingya. It is past time for the root causes of these horrific atrocities to be addressed and for the Rohingya people to be free to live fully, with dignity, respect, and fundamental human rights.
We call for:
The Burmese military, the AA and all actors involved in the conflict in Rakhine State to immediately cease fighting, to end the ongoing atrocities and prevent further suffering.
The international community to support the immediate and unhindered delivery of cross-border assistance into Rakhine State.
Bangladesh to lift the current restrictions on livelihoods, freedom of movement, formal education and access to basic services; support protection measures to prevent further attacks on the refugee population; and allow Rohingya seeking safety in Bangladesh to cross the border and register with UNHCR.
Burmese pro-democracy leadership to engage with the AA to end their attacks on civilians; work to support ethnic reconciliation to combat the Burmese miltary’s attempts to sow division between communities; and support ongoing international justice efforts.
The UN Security Council to refer the situation in Myanmar to the ICC, expanding the jurisdiction the court currently has.
It has now been more than two years since the U.S. atrocity determination regarding the Rohingya. For the determination to have any meaning, it must be backed with action and not just words - respected and enforced through robust and comprehensive engagement to prevent further atrocities.
The Rohingya people refuse to give up their desire to live free of persecution, and with full and equal rights in their homeland in Burma. We remain committed to supporting these efforts, however long this takes. For the sake of the Rohingya though, we cannot wait another moment to act on these commitments, and to follow the Rohingya community to lead in finding opportunities and solutions. Everyone deserves to live with dignity, respect and safety. The Rohingya are no different. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted or forget.
For further information, contact Lauren Fortgang, PAEMA’s Director at lauren@paema.ngo
We stand with Oregon’s Rohingya Community and support their statement on the 7th genocide anniversary.