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Rohingya remember sixth Genocide Remembrance Day: Protracted Justice, Accountability of Myanmar’s Genocide Stalled

Rohingya remember sixth Genocide Remembrance Day:
Protracted Justice, Accountability of Myanmar’s Genocide Stalled

The European Rohingya Council
Press Release
August 25, 2023

The Rohingya people across the world mark the sixth year of Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day since Myanmar launched the state-sanctioned genocide against the Rohingya community on August 25, 2017. Justice and accountability for the victims and survivors of the genocide has been the coordinated and unified call to end the decades-long genocidal policies and practices being enforced on the Rohingya community. As the protracted justice and accountability of the genocide is stalled, the fate and future of over a million of Rohingya in apartheid-like conditions in Myanmar and squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh looks grim.

Six years ago, Myanmar Military (commonly known as Tatmadaw) and Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) launched a series of genocidal campaigns under the name of “Clearance Operations” in northern Arakan (Rakhine) State, which have resulted in mass-exodus of over 750,000 Rohingya to neighbouring Bangladesh, killing tens of thousands of Rohingya civilians, raping of hundreds of Rohingya girls and women, enforced disappearance of many Rohingya scholars and elders, destruction of over 390 villages and confiscation of lands and properties.

The genocidal campaigns in 2017 were the culmination of the international community’s failure to hold the military accountable over the past fifty years. The foundation of the slow-genocide against the Rohingya community was laid down when the first Myanmar’s military dictator General Ne Win seized power in 1962, who had slowly and systematically implemented policies, laws and military campaigns against the community, which have been further carried out by the successive military juntas and the civilian governments.

Over the course of sixty one years, the Rohingya people have been stripped of their nationality, ethnicity and rights to self-identification as ‘Rohingya’, and subjected to extreme measures such as denials of freedom of movement, education, healthcare, marriage, religion, livelihood, landownership, among others. Coupled with several military campaigns, for examples, in “King Dragon Operation” in 1978 and “Operation Clean Nation” in 1991/2, the institutionalised policies and practices are the measures to stifle and destroy the Rohingya community as a whole.

The devastative effects are crystal clear and well-documented – around 100,000 Rohingya civilians still are confined to IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps across Arakan State since 2012 preventing them basic rights and return to their homes; the Rohingya population in Arakan State has been reduced from over 1.3 million in 2016 to approximately 480,000 in 2017 as the means of brutal forceful depopulation in the region; the vast majority of remaining Rohingya live in apartheid-like conditions without access to fundamental rights in their birthplace; the empty Rohingya villages have been restructured and seized by the military and the Rakhine community; nearly a million Rohingya linger in refugee camps in Bangladesh with no sights of returning home in Arakan State with safety, dignity, restoration of full rights including ethnicity and citizenship, and justice served.

The lack of effective international accountability has emboldened Myanmar Military’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to stage the coup in February 1, 2012. The military dictator has since unleased crimes against humanity and atrocities across the country with impunity.

In Bangladesh refugee camps, the trauma and lived-experience of the genocide revisit to a nearly million Rohingya refugees endured under Senior General Min Aung Hlaing whenever his military commits fresh atrocities unabated against civilians and ethnic communities in Myanmar.

On the sixth year of Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day, the European Rohingya Council (ERC) calls upon the international community to renew its commitment to justice and accountability through every avenue available at its disposal such as the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC). The international community, in particular ASEAN, should put pressure and take concreate actions on Myanmar Military to end the cycle of military dictatorship and its atrocities. The international community should also strive for the restoration of lost rights of the Rohingya community and prevent further deterioration of the rights in Myanmar.

The European Rohingya Council acknowledges the importance of the international community’s humanitarian supports which play as a lifeline to a million Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children. Cutting the vital supports has detrimental effects on the refugees. The European Rohingya Council renews the call to increase the humanitarian supports which is essential to ensure sustaining their education, healthcare and skills necessary for their livelihoods in the camps to be independent and self-reliance while they keep faith alive in the international justice and accountability.

For more information:

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

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Condolences | Mrs. Jamila Begum | 1955-2023

CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF MRS. JAMILA BEGUM – DR. AMBIA PERVEEN, DR. ANITA SCHUG AND DR. YASMIN HAROON

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un!

It is with heartfelt sorrow that the European Rohingya Council (ERC) received the heartbreaking news of the death of our respected chairperson Dr. Ambia Perveen’s beloved mother Jamila Begum.

Mrs. Jamila Begum peacefully passed away at a rehabilitation centre in Baelen, Belgium at 14:30 local time on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

On December 7, 1955, she was born to father Ali Miya and mother Asea Khatoon in Cíddar fara (aka Myo Ma Ka Nyin Tan), Maungdaw township, Arakan State, Myanmar.

Mrs. Jamila Begum was married to Mohammad Haroon and survived by three daughters – Dr. Ambia Perveen, Dr. Anita Schug and Dr. Yasmin Haroon.

Mrs. Jamila Begum had been the sole inspiration for three daughters to dream and pursue careers in medical fields. She was the backbone of the family who had steered all her daughters to become highly respected and acclaimed specialists in their respective medical careers.

Despite facing discrimination and persecution in her country of birth and being forced to leave the country behind, Mrs. Jamila Begum, who herself was educated and independent Rohingya woman, had instilled her daughters the importance of education and the sense of responsibility to serve the desperate Rohingya community with their empowered voices and medical knowledge.

Mrs. Jamila Begum is a profound example of how an educated Rohingya woman can educate and build an entire generation of intellects. Her wisdom, kindness and love towards her family and community is irreplaceable. Dr. Ambia Perveen, Dr. Anita Schug and Dr. Yasmin Haroon are the legacy she leaves behind, who continue to treat and care the communities through the lens of empathy, love and compassion.

The passing of Mrs. Jamila Begum is a deeply devastating loss to Mohammed Haroon, Dr. Ambia Perveen, Dr. Anita Schug, Dr. Yasmin Haroon and the Rohingya community.

On behalf of the European Rohingya Council, we convey our sincere condolences to Mrs. Jamila Begum’s loved ones – Mohammed Haroon, Dr. Ambia Perveen, Dr. Anita Schug and Dr. Yasmin Haroon. We pray to the Almighty Allah to grant her Jannah and her family with strength during this difficult time.

Myanmar Junta’s death penalty to seven university students, barbaric

 Myanmar Junta’s death penalty to seven university students, barbaric

Press Release
December 12, 2022

The European Rohingya Council (ERC) strongly condemns the Myanmar military regime’s death sentencing of ten people including seven Dagon University students for their involvements in anti-regime demonstrations.

On November 30, a military court inside notorious Insein Prison sentenced the university students – Thura Maung Maung, Khant Zin Win, Thiha Htet Zaw, Zaw Lin Naing, Hein Htet, Khant Lin Maung Maung and Thet Pain Oo who were arrested in April 2022 – under Sections 34 and 302a for conspiracy to commit murder.

In July, the regime led by dictator General Min Aung Hlaing has carried out Myanmar’s first executions since 1988. Prominent activist Kyaw Min Yu (popularly known as Ko Jimmy), former National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw, activist  Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw were hanged despite the international outcry to halt the death sentences.

Death penalty brought back by General Min Aung Hlaing is a desperate attempt to crush the nation-wide anti-regime revolt against the atrocities being perpetrated on civilians by Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw).

For nearly thirty years beginning from the previous military regime under General Than Shwe to the current regime, Rohingya students are deprived of high education in universities despite excelling in Matriculation Examinations in Arakan State. Accompanying the restrictions of movement, Rohingya students have been barred pursuing major fields such as medicine, dentistry, engineering, law, and to name a few in various universities inside the country. The deprivation of freedom of education has been used as a tool for the genocide against the Rohingya community, leading to a complete destruction of the community’s foundation – education.

The European Rohingya Council stands in solidarity with the students who stand tall and voice loud amidst the hardship, suppression and barbarism they experience at the hands of the military regime.

The European Rohingya Council also calls on the regional bloc ASEAN and the international community to press the regime in immediately commuting the death sentences which is highly deplorable and barbaric.

For more information:

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

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Human Rights Day: The Human Rights of Rohingya too are universal, inalienable

Human Rights Day:
The Human Rights of Rohingya too are universal, inalienable

Press Release
December 10, 2022

On Human Rights Day, the European Rohingya Council (ERC) renews the calls to protect the Rohingya population which is on the verge of total destruction as a whole.

Myanmar, which was one of the first 48 nations in favour of adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948, continues to ignore the fundamental human rights of the Rohingya community.

Since the country’s first military dictator General Ne Win came into power in 1962, the human rights of the community have been reduced to none. The community has been stripped of their citizenship in 1982. The freedom of religion, movement, expression, education, healthcare, livelihood, marriage, legal assistance, and among others are completely being removed for decades. The community is also subjected to arbitrary taxation, land confiscation, forced-labour, torture, arrest, enforced-disappearance, extrajudicial killing, sexual harassment and rape.

The international community’s decades of failures have paved the way for Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) and the military-back as well as civilian governments to openly commit a wave of genocidal campaigns against the Rohingya community as recently as 2017.

As of today, only approximately 480,000 Rohingya remains inside Myanmar including over 100,000 of them who are still confined to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps since 2012. The community inside Myanmar continues to suffer unimaginable human rights abuses and the ongoing genocide at the hands of the military, and their villages are often used as battlegrounds in the fight between the military and Arakan Army (AA).

There is no place a clear witness of the failures of the world as the refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh where over a million Rohingya take refuge where they continue to linger without the sight of returning home or rebuild their lives with education. Nearly 850,000 Rohingya were forced into Bangladesh between 2016 and 2017.  52% or more than 500,000 of the Rohingya refugees are under 14. They are trapped in limbo with no education, home, future or safety. They are forced to relive the unbreakable cycle of traumas of genocide and the sight of no future.

Hundreds of Rohingya continue to flee the refugee camps and Myanmar in search of a better life and safety for the loved ones despite the danger and uncertainty the perilous sea journey holds.

As the European Rohingya Council dictates this statement on Human Rights Day, there are hundreds of Rohingya men, women and children are adrift in the Andaman Sea as their boat engine broke down with no nation willing to rescue or provide a safe haven.

The failures to uphold the indispensable human rights and to hold General Min Aung Hlaing and the military accountable for the genocide against the Rohingya community, have empowered the generals to stage the coup in February 2021 and unleash human rights abuses across the country.

On this day, the European Rohingya Council urges the international community, particularly Southeast Asian nations, to rescue the sea-borne Rohingya adrift in the sea before it is too late as their food and water running out.

The European Rohingya Council also re-double our calls on the international community to show a unified support to finally put an end to the human rights abuses that the community faces for generations in Myanmar, and hold Myanmar and the generals accountable for the genocide and crimes against humanity at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The European Rohingya Council urges the international community to continue supporting the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, particularly providing the vital education which is a universal and inalienable rights.

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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