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New Year Message from the Chairman of the European Rohingya Council (ERC)

New Year Message
from the Chairman of the European Rohingya Council (ERC)

January 01, 2025

As we welcome the New Year, the European Rohingya Council (ERC) extends its warmest wishes to the Rohingya community and all our friends, supporters, and allies around the world.

The past year has been one of profound challenges and enduring resilience for the Rohingya people. Despite the genocide faced within Myanmar, many hardships in refugee camps and in exile, our collective spirit remains unbroken. Together, we continue to strive for justice, dignity, and a peaceful future for all Rohingya.

As we step into 2025, it is essential to acknowledge the continued suffering endured by our people. Rohingya refugees face dire conditions in overcrowded camps, with limited access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, healthcare, and education. These harsh realities are compounded by restrictions on freedom of movement and the constant threat of violence, making everyday life a struggle for survival.

In addition, the Rohingya community remains deprived of citizenship, with no legal recognition or rights in Myanmar and limited opportunities to rebuild lives in host countries. The lack of durable solutions has left many trapped in a cycle of poverty and insecurity, while hopes for repatriation to a safe and dignified homeland seem increasingly distant. Despite these immense challenges, our resilience and determination to fight for justice and human rights remain steadfast.

The ERC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights and freedoms of the Rohingya. This year, we pledge to:

  • Strengthen Advocacy Efforts: Amplifying the voices of the Rohingya to ensure that the international community remains engaged in our struggle for justice and accountability.
  • Promote Education and Empowerment: Supporting initiatives that equip Rohingya youth and women with the tools they need to lead and inspire change.
  • Foster Unity and Solidarity: Encouraging collaboration within the Rohingya community and with global partners to achieve shared goals.

The ERC urge the Arakan Army (AA) and Rakhine community to reflect on the shared history and heritage of our land. The Rohingya are the indigenous people of Arakan, with deep ties to the soil and culture that define this region. It is essential to end the violence and acts of genocide that have plagued our communities for far too long. Let us work together to create an environment where all ethnic groups, including the Rohingya, can coexist peacefully. The path to harmony requires understanding, respect, and a commitment to building a future based on justice, equality, and mutual dignity. Let this year be a turning point for peace and unity in Arakan.

To our allies and supporters, we express our deepest gratitude for standing with us. Your solidarity fuels our hope and strengthens our resolve to overcome the challenges we face.

To our Rohingya brothers and sisters, let us remain united, resilient, and hopeful. Together, we can continue building a path toward justice, peace, and a brighter future for generations to come.

May this New Year bring renewed strength, progress, and peace for us all.

Warm regards,

Khairul Amin

Chairman
European Rohingya Council (ERC)
info@theerc.eu

New Election of the European Rohingya Council (ERC)

 

2024 Election of the European Rohingya Council (ERC)

Press Release

December 26, 2024

The European Rohingya Council (ERC) is proud to announce the successful election held on December 25, 2024 to elect its leadership team for 2025–2027 term. The newly elected body comprises of Chairperson Khairul Amin, Vice-chairperson Dr. Ambia Parveen, Secretary General I H. Mansor and Secretary General II Mawshafot Ullah. Their leadership promises to guide the ERC with dedication, vision, and a renewed sense of urgency in addressing the survival issues faced by Rohingya at home (Arakan) and many critical issues in neighbouring countries.

This transition comes at a crucial juncture, as the suffering of our people continues unabated. From enduring displacement and statelessness to facing genocide and neglect, the Rohingya community remains among the most vulnerable and marginalized in communities of the world. The ERC recognizes that the situation of Rohingya in Arakan is worse now, more than ever, and thus a united and revitalized approach is essential to address these challenges.

Under the new leadership, the ERC is determined to energize its activities and amplify its advocacy efforts. The next three years we will focus on strengthening global awareness of the plight of the Rohingya, engaging with Rohingya organisations worldwide, international organizations, governments, and humanitarian agencies to seek meaningful solutions, and supporting our people through direct action and empowerment programs.

In addition to its advocacy efforts, the ERC has been instrumental in facilitating access to higher education for deprived Rohingya students, particularly in Türkiye. Recognizing education as a powerful tool for empowerment and progress, the ERC will work tirelessly with educational institutions and secure scholarships for Rohingya youth. By enabling these students to pursue higher education, the ERC not only provides them with the opportunity to build brighter futures but also fosters a generation of leaders equipped to contribute meaningfully to their community and the world at large.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Türkiye for their unwavering support and generosity in enabling Rohingya students to pursue higher education at various Turkish universities. Your commitment towards marginalized communities reflects a profound spirit of compassion and solidarity. Through your assistance, you have not only opened doors to new opportunities but also inspired hope and resilience among the Rohingya youths.

Chairperson Khairul Amin, along with Vice-chairperson Dr. Ambia Parveen and secretaries, brings a wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to the ERC’s mission. Their leadership is grounded in the understanding to addressing the humanitarian and political crises which require both a strategic vision and a compassionate approach.

The ERC also acknowledges and deeply appreciates the contributions of the outgoing leadership, whose efforts have laid a strong foundation for the Council’s ongoing work. Moving forward, the new leadership is committed to building on these efforts, fostering greater unity within the Rohingya diaspora, and mobilizing resources and support to alleviate the suffering of our people. The newly elected team will officially take charge of the ERC’s operations from January 1, 2025, marking the beginning of this renewed leadership.

We call upon the Rohingya organisations worldwide, international community, human rights organizations, and individuals of goodwill to stand with us in this mission. Together, we can work towards a future where justice, dignity, and the fundamental rights of the Rohingya people are upheld.

The European Rohingya Council extends its heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported our cause and reaffirms its commitment to being a steadfast advocate for the Rohingya community during this new chapter.

The European Rohingya Council

For more information
info@theerc.eu

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ICC Arrest Warrant for Myanmar Junta Leader, a Long-awaited Step towards Justice and Accountability

ICC Arrest Warrant for Myanmar Junta Leader, a Long-awaited Step towards Justice and Accountability

Press Release | November 27, 2024

The arrest warrant that the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) seeks for Myanmar junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing is a first step towards the long-awaited justice and accountability for the Rohingya people who have faced two campaigns of genocide under his leadership between 2016 and 2017.

The prosecutor’s Wednesday application for the arrest of General Min Aung Hlaing for his “criminal responsibility for the crimes against humanity of deportation and persecution of the Rohingya committed in Myanmar and in part in Bangladesh”, should not have taken five years in the making when the evidence of his gravest crimes have been extensively documented and recorded by several UN agencies and reputable human rights organisations.

Nearly a million Rohingya civilians who General Min Aung Hlaing and the Myanmar military have expelled into Bangladesh refugee camps bear all hallmarks of genocide, not just “crimes against humanity” that he has been accused of in the application for the ICC arrest warrant.

However, the request for the arrest of the junta leader will serve a warning to end the cycle of atrocities against the Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities that he and the military have been committing with full impunity. The arrest warrant will also set an example of holding accountability for Twan Mrat Naing and Arakan Army (AA) who are committing the similar crimes against humanity and gross human rights violations against the remaining Rohingya civilian population in two-Rohingya majority townships – Maungdaw and Buthidaung as Arakan Army continues to control over swaths of territory from the Myanmar Military.

General Min Aung Hlaing will become the first Myanmar junta leader if the three ICC judges rule on in the favour of the prosecutor’s request for the arrest warrant. However, he is not the lone criminal during the campaigns of genocide against the Rohingya people. Behind the chief perpetrator of genocide, General Min Aung Hlaing, there are civilian, military and religious leaders who have played the active roles in his “unfinished business” of completely destroying the Rohingya people.

The European Rohingya Council (ERC) acknowledges and welcomes the historic first step in holding the junta leader accountable for his gravest crimes against the Rohingya people. The ERC also urges the court to expand the scale of crimes to the crimes of genocide that General Min Aung Hlaing and co-perpetrators have committed against the Rohingya people.

For more information:

Dr. Ambia Perveen
Chairperson
The European Rohingya Council
info@theerc.eu

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Felicitations and Optimism for Prof. Muhammad Yunus’s Democratic Leadership: Humanitarian Progress and Rohingya Community Support

 

Felicitations and Optimism for Prof. Muhammad Yunus’s Democratic Leadership: Humanitarian Progress and Rohingya Community Support

Press Release | August 10, 2024

The European Rohingya Council (ERC) extends its warmest congratulations to Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank and Nobel laureate, on your appointment as Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh.

Your appointment comes at a pivotal time for Bangladesh, as the country navigates the significant economic, political, and social challenges. We are confident that your expertise and leadership will effectively address the void left by the earlier government.

We trust that your tenure will guide the nation towards a just and democratic process, overcoming the demanding responsibilities that lie ahead. We hope your role as Chief Adviser will foster positive changes in the country’s fragile economy, human rights, social justice, and social development, ensuring a more inclusive, equitable, and cohesive society. We also trust that you will uphold the rule of law and ensure due process for all citizens of Bangladesh.

On this special occasion, the ERC acknowledges the support and generosity the people of Bangladesh have extended to over 1.2 million displaced Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar. We are hopeful that your interim government will continue to address the humanitarian crisis, and the long-standing challenges faced by the Rohingya people in both national and international forums.

The ERC also offers its sincere gratitude to the earlier government which provided the Rohingya people with massive support on their arrival, especially in 2017, and stay in Bangladesh.

As you embark on guiding your nation through this transitional period, we embrace your vision for a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable Bangladesh. We trust that your commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and democratic principles will pave the way for a brighter future for all.

We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

For more information:

Dr. Ambia Perveen
Chairperson
The European Rohingya Council
info@theerc.eu

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OUR CAMPAIGNS

The ICJ and The Direction of Rohingya’s Plight | Webinar on June 6

The ICJ and The Direction of Rohingya’s Plight 

BACKGROUND

Over a million Rohingya refugees, living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, are desperately waiting for the justice and safe and dignified return to their ancestral land in Myanmar. Furthermore, Myanmar is using this pandemic to delay the repatriation process of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to their ancestral land.

The legal action against Myanmar brought by The Gambia is a historic milestone in the long fight for justice and accountability. The entire Rohingya community is following the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) closely and they hope the justice will be served in very near future.

However, Myanmar’s request to keep its recent report ‘confidential’ has cast a shadow of despair and a sense of injustice when the victims are not aware of what is being reported in their fight for justice and accountability.

As the world endures the costly burdens of the pandemic which affects every community, the issues of Rohingya’s plight wane away at the global stage and the Rohingya community itself feels their plight and justice being forgotten.

In this virtual conference, we would like to invite renowned scholars, experts and activists who are unparallel knowledge and expertise on the issues of Rohingya. The conference, the first of many, will steer the community away from the fading hope to the direction that Rohingya seek – for justice, accountability and safe return to the ancestral land.

DATE & TIME

Date – June 6, 2020 (Saturday)
Time – 14:00 (GMT+1UK Time

SPEAKERS

1. Hon. Bob Rae
Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar and Senior Fellow at Raoul Wallenberg Centre for
Human Rights

2. Dr. Azeem Ibrahim
Research Professor at the Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, a Director
at the Center for Global Policy in Washington, D.C, and Author of “The Rohingyas:
Inside Myanmar’s Hidden Genocide”

3. Michael Becker
Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College, Dublin, PhD candidate at University of
Cambridge and Former ICJ Associate Legal Officer

4. Phil Robertson
Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division

5. Dr. Hla Kyaw
Chairman of The European Rohingya Council and Rohingya medical doctor and health
scientist

6. Dr. Ambia Perveen
Vice-chair of The European Rohingya Council, and Paediatrician and Child Psychiatrist

MODERATOR

Stephanie McDermott
Lecturer at Carlow College, St. Patrick’s and Secretary of Rohingya Action Ireland

Follow the live event on Facebook page of The European Rohingya Council. 
Or follow us for more at our Twitter  @the_erc

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh warned to be wary with human trafficking rising

KUTUPALONG REFUGEE CAMP, Bangladesh,  (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – When Nazmin Nahar, a Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh, was offered a job in a garment factory by a distant cousin, she thought she had found a way to support her ageing parents.

But her relative sold her as a maid in Chittagong, 160 km (100 miles) away from her family in the world’s largest refugee settlement in southeast Bangladesh, where she was tortured and forced to work without pay. More…

Announcement – Mass Rohingya Solidarity Rally at ICJ

 

For immediate release

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

MASS ROHINGYA SOLIDARITY RALLY – THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

 

Dear peace and justice-loving people from all over the world – Rohingya and non-Rohingya,

 

May peace be upon you all!

 

The 10th of December is a historic day not only for Rohingya, but also other ethnic minorities in Myanmar. This is the day on which a new chapter of long-awaited justice and accountability for Rohingya victims of Myanmar Genocide will be opened. On this day,  the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will begin the hearing of the case filed by The Gambia against Myanmar for its genocide against the Rohingya minority.

 

The Rohingya community believes that the international community has finally heard the cries and calls for the justice of thousands of Rohingya being killed during decades-long genocidal operations by Myanmar. The justice and accountability has not been served despite the well-documented accounts of genocide with intents to destroy the community as a whole, resulted in stripping of citizenship, right to self-identity, denial of freedom of movement, religion, education, healthcare, livelihood, and expulsion of over a million of Rohingya from their homes coupled with mass murders, rapes and destructions of houses and properties.

 

The community steadfastly believes that  justice will take its course to prevail.

 

On these days of 10th and 11th December, The European Rohingya Council (ERC) and Myanmar Muslims Association Netherlands (MMAN) is organizing the Mass Rohingya Solidarity Rally in front of the ICJ. On these specials days, Rohingya, Kachin, and Karen, Myanmar Muslims, Bangladeshi community and many other people from around the world will join hand-in-hand to show support for the long-awaited justice for Rohingya. Therefore, you are cordially invited to join this peaceful solidarity rally in front of the ICJ. Your participation is extremely important.

 

THE PURPOSE

  • To seek justice and stand in solidarity with the Rohingya victims of Myanmar Genocide
  • To support The Gambia in bringing the Myanmar Genocide criminals to the International Justice and Accountability.

 

DATE AND TIME

 

Daye One

  • 10 December 2019 (Tuesday), 09:30 – 14:00

Day Two

  • 11 December 2019 (Wednesday), 9:30 – 14:00

 

 

 PLACE

 

       Day One

  • The International Court of Justice, Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ, The Hague, The Netherlands

 

Day Two

  • The International Court of Justice, Peace Palace, The Crossing of Scheveningsweg with the Carnegielaan

 

HOW TO REACH THERE

  • From Den Hague (the Hague) Central Station, take Stadsbus 24 (upper floor of the station) and get off at bus stop Vredespaleis, Den Haag (it will take approximately 10 minutes).

 

GUIDE

  • There will be two people wearing Hivis Jacket with ERC logo at Den Haag Centraal (The Hague Central Train Station). Please get advice from them on how to use public transport.
  • There will also be two people wearing Hivis Jacket with ERC logo at bus stop Vredespaleis, Den Haag.

 

SECURITY MEASURES

 

  • All security measures are kept in place. The rally will be very peaceful. There will be police to make sure that the rally takes place in peace and order.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • There will be a counter-protest on 11 December to support Aung San Suu Kyi. Therefore, it is very important to join the right rally. Please notice visibility jacket with the ERC logo.
  • It is extremely important that the participants obey the rule of law of the Netherlands.
  • The participants are advised to arrive on time.
  • There is an arrangement of lunch for the participants.

 

AGENDA OF THE DAYS

  • Prominent Rohingya and non-Rohingya activists, leaders and scholars will be speaking during the course of the day.

 

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Dr. Hla Kyaw (WhatsApp: +31652358202)

Mohammed Ibrahim (WhatsApp: +4917621482623)

Khairul Boshor (WhatsApp: +31684090880)

Mohammed Ilyas (+31617151183)

Mohammed Rafique (WhatsApp: +353860391625)

 

 

On behalf of ERC,

Dr. Hla Kyaw

Chairman | ERC

 

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NEWS

CONDOLENCE | JAFAR ARKANE | 1984-2021

JAFAR ARKANE | CONDOLENCE
 
The European Rohingya Council (ERC) is extremely saddened to hear the news of Jafar Arkane’s sudden demise.
 
On October 11, at the age of just 37, Mr. Jafar Arkane passed away with a heart attack in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
 
Mr. Jafar had founded The Arakan Times news media where he was the media director, producing and broadcasting news, particularly videos on the daily plight of the Rohingya community.
 
Mr. Jafar was loved across all spectrums of the community for his honest, professional, unifying and dedicated services for over a decade. He had covered interviews on a wide session of topics ranging from culture, history, politics, human rights, refugee rights, persecutions, genocide, among others.
 
He was a dedicated young journalist with huge potential who had not shy away in covering topics that are sensitive, but important for the future of the Rohingya community.
 
The sudden passing has left a huge void for the community to fill in. He was an asset lost quite untimely and early.
 
The European Rohingya Council sends our deepest condolence and prayers to Mr. Jafar Arkane’s loved ones and friends, and acknowledges his contributions towards the Rohingya community which remain forever fresh and evergreen.
 
May Allah forgive him and grant him the Jannah.
—-

Condolence | Rashid Ahmed (U Tin Maung or Mayu Rashid) | 1948-2021

CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF RASHID AHMED (1948-2021)

It is with heartfelt sorrow that the European Rohingya Council (ERC) received the devastating news of the demise of our esteemed General Secretary Haikal Mansor’s father RASHID AHMED.

Mr. RASHID AHMED (U Tin Maung) had been suffering from chronic medical conditions for which he had undergone numerous medical treatments for a month. Despite his ailing conditions, he had set an example for his son who continues to dedicate and contribute tirelessly and professionally at the European Rohingya Council in advancing the cause of persecuted Rohingya people.

Mr. RASHID AHMED (also known as Mayu RASHID on social media), son of Zahir Miah and Fatema Khatun, and husband of Nur Nahar (Daw Tin Nu), was a humble, caring and well-respected Rohingya elder from Quarter 4, the outskirts of Maungdaw township, Arakan, Myanmar.

In 1994, he was forced into exile in Bangladesh by the Myanmar Military regime following the crackdowns on Rohingya leaders, elders and intellectuals. While living in Chittagong, Bangladesh, he had continued to work for the cause of Rohingya.

He passed away at the age of 73 surrounded by the family in Chittagong on September 16, 2021. The passing of Mr. RASHID AHMED is a deeply devastating loss for Haikal Mansor and the Rohingya community.

The European Rohingya Council conveys our sincere condolence and sympathy to the family and relatives of Mr. RASHID AHMED on this bereavement. We pray to the Almighty Allah to grant his soul the sweetness of Paradise and his family the strength to bear the great loss with courage.

Condolence: U Kyaw Hla Aung (Mohammed Kasim) | 1940-2021

CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY:

U KYAW HLA AUNG (MOHAMMED KASIM) – 1940-2021

The European Rohingya Council (ERC) is extremely saddened to hear the demise of distinguished Rohingya grassroots human rights activist U Kyaw Hla Aung on July 31, 2021.

At 10:15 am local time, U Kyaw Hla Aung has passed away with long-standing medical conditions in Botahtaung Township, Yangon where he had been receiving medical treatments.

U Kyaw Hla Aung who was also known as Mohammed Kasim, was born in Sittwe to parents U Yousuf and Daw Gul Bodan. He has studied and practised law in Sittwe, particularly representing farmers and underprivileged members of society in Sittwe.

He was forced to live at Thet Kae Pyin IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp after the outbreaks of state-sponsored violence against the Rohingya community in 2012. From the camp, U Kyaw Hla Aung has dedicated his life in representing and fighting for the rights of the Rohingya community.

His passion for the human rights was untainted. His resilience was extraordinary for which he was ranked the 28th among Fortune’s “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” in 2019. He has also deservedly earned many international accolades for his persistent fight for justice, accountability, equality and human rights.

His contributions are still felt in the grassroots communities which strive for peace and justice. The demise of U Kyaw Hla Aung is a great loss for the Rohingya community, particularly the remaining Rohingya in Arakan State, Burma.

The European Rohingya Council conveys our deepest condolence and prayers to the family and relatives of U Kyaw Hla Aung.

May Allah grant him Jannah and give strength to his family and friends.

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OUR BLOGS

Covid-19 and the Rohingya refugee crisis

Mar 31 2020 – All around the world, the numbers are climbing. Each day registers thousands of new cases and lives lost. In Europe, now the epicenter of the pandemic, governments know that the worst is yet to come and are implementing increasingly restrictive measures to enforce social distancing and isolation. More…

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