Media Release from Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK

For immediate release: 2nd September 2020

Historic Decision by the Netherlands and Canada to Support Rohingya Genocide Case

The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK welcomes the strong moral leadership shown by the Netherlands and Canada. Earlier today, both countries announced their intention to intervene on behalf of The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. This historic decision will further the cause of justice for Rohingya victims and survivors of the 2017 genocide, and help hold those responsible for war crimes to account. It is imperative that other governments now follow their lead.

“Slowly but surely, the net is closing in on Myanmar’s leaders – they will not get away with this genocide,” warned Tun Khin, President of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK. “In supporting the Gambia’s genocide case against Myanmar, Canada and the Netherlands are not just standing with Rohingya victims, they are standing on the right side of history.”

The Rohingya people thank the Netherlands and Canada for their steadfast support, legal expertise and recognition of rape and sexual violence as a key component of the genocide perpetrated by Myanmar against the Rohingya people. We now urge other governments to demonstrate similar leadership by supporting of The Gambia’s case at the International Court of Justice.

“It is imperative that other States, including the United Kingdom, now stand on the side of justice for the Rohingya and other ethnic and religious minorities in Myanmar,” continued Tun Khin. “This includes supporting domestic cases against Burmese war criminals through the application of universal jurisdiction, as well as referring the situation in Burma to the International Criminal Court. Justice is a core demand of all the Rohingya people, and it is particularly important for those inside the camps of Cox’s Bazar, who have been forced to flee their homeland and live as refugees in a foreign state.”

Lasting peace and stability in Myanmar cannot be achieved in the absence of justice. Already, we see signs of history repeating itself. In Rakhine State, the genocide against the Rohingya is ongoing. Rohingya civilians continue to be forced from their homes and placed into cramped IDP camps, cut off from the outside world and denied internet access. Across the country, Rohingya are denied citizenship and are being denied the right to vote and compete in the upcoming parliamentary elections. 

It is critical that the international community move quickly to stop the ongoing genocide against Rohingya in Rakhine State, support independent, impartial accountability efforts, enable Rohingya enfranchisement and support a safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation process. This includes ending impunity, as well as supporting strong, targeted sanctions against the Burmese military and military-owned companies. “The Netherlands and Canada took an important step towards justice today,” said Tun Khin. “Now other governments must join them in ending the impunity that has lasted too long and in laying the basis for a safe voluntary and dignified return home for the Rohingya people.”  

For more information, please contact Tun Khin +44 7888714866.