January 4, 2020

Rohingyas, one of the minority groups of Myanmar, have been subjected to mass killings, mutilations, mass sexual violence, burning of homes and villages, pogroms, and systematic denial of rights including rights to marry, rights to have children and rights to freedom of movement for generations in Myanmar/Burma.

The United Nations Fact Finding Mission (UNFFM) inferred genocidal intent in the Myanmar government’s treatment of Rohingya in an 2018 report based on seven indicators of genocidal intent from observable patterns of conduct by the Myanmar government.

Myanmar is a party of the Genocide Convention, and therefore is liable for commiting genocide. It was obligated to adopt necessary legislation to fulfill the obligations as a State party to the Convention, and to effectively prevent and punish genocide by a competent tribunal. The UNFFM’s report suggests that Myanmar has breached these obligations, including the obligation not to commit genocide.

We believe that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” in accordance with Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We totally disagree with any kind of discrimination and human right violations, as the State and government of Myanmar currently prohibit the self-determination of human beings.

We believe in the universal values of freedom, justice and equality which propelled the struggle for Burma’s independence from colonial rule. We believe that it is the same unshakable belief in these values that will free the citizenry of Burma from the clasp of populism and dictatorship. Therefore, we welcome the application of the Genocide Convention that the Gambia has filed at the International Court of Justice and provisional measures. The Gambia requested this relief at the ICJ in the case of The Gambia v Myanmar in accordance with freedom, justice and equality for all.

Endorsed by:

Burmese Rohingya Community in Denmark

Coexist Myanmar

Doa-A-Yae: Coalition for Civil Rights in Burma

Free Rohingya Coalition

Rohingya Human Rights Network

Rohingya Youth Association

Rohingya Youth for Legal Action (RYLA)

Youth for New Society

Press Contact:

Ei Thizar Maung (Youth for New Society; Yangon) : (0095) 961638384

Htuu Lou Rae (Doa-A-Yae; Central Europe) :  [email protected]

Khin Mai Aung (Doa-A-Yae; New York) : (718) 925-3983; [email protected]

Download the joint statement in English and Burmese.

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