Act on Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day
Beginning on August 25, 2017, more than 742,000 Rohingya people fled to Bangladesh in response to rampant attacks, killings, and rape at the hands of the Myanmar military, triggering an international outcry. Earlier this year, the United States finally recognized the Myanmar military’s 2017 violence against the Rohingya people as genocide and crimes against humanity.
The grim five-year anniversary of the violence provides us with an opportunity to honor and support the Rohingya people. Here are a few ways you can get involved:
Be an Advocate
Refugees International is calling on the U.S. Senate to urgently pass the BURMA Act, which would sanction members of the Myanmar military who perpetrated the genocide against the Rohingya, support humanitarian aid to affected people in the region, and call for increased international pressure.
- Write to Your Senator and Urge them to Support the BURMA Act
- Submit a Letter to the Editor in Your Local Paper Calling on Your Senators to Act
Attend an Event
Below are a few virtual and in person events honoring Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day.
August 24: What’s Happening in Myanmar Monthly Updates with @khinohmar
- 8-9am: Access via Zoom
August 24: Rohingya Genocide Commemoration: Moving Forward in Unity and Solidarity
- 9-10am: Register via Zoom
August 25: Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day, “A Path out of the Genocide: Actions for Accountability and Justice”
- 10 am: Register via Zoom
August 27: Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day Event
- In Person: 4-7pm at The Social Ave 2703 South Texas 6, Suite 230 Houston, Texas 77082
Share a Message of Solidarity on Social Media
Share a tweet!
Use #RohingyaGenocideDay, #SolidarityWithRohingya, #StopRohingyaGenocide and #NeverAgain in your social channels.
Follow and support @RefugeesIntl, @BurmaTaskForce, @Rohingya_ICR, @RYA_Rohingya, @ALTSEAN_Burma, @SEAJunction, @PVAmplify and @rohingyanetwork
Explore More Resources and Groups
- ALTSEAN-Burma – A network of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) organizations & individuals working to support human rights & democracy in Burma/Myanmar through grassroots advocacy. This website offers consistent updates on current events in Myanmar and an array of literature about the crisis.
- Burma’s Path to Genocide – The United States National Memorial Museum provides a detailed, interactive timeline of the history of the region and the persecution of the Rohingya.
- Burma Task Force – A coalition of 38 U.S. and Canadian Muslim organizations, including Justice for All, dedicated to advocating for the Rohingya and ending the genocide in Burma. This offers frequent news updates and local and national initiatives for all to support.
- Free Rohingya Coalition – Dedicated to ending genocide, this organization offers several resources to learn about the history and the many international organizations working together for this cause. Most recently, they posted their Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day community initiative.
- Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA) – This organization supports predominantly Rohingya refugee children in education through volunteer tutoring and are actively engaged in Rohingya communities to help them become economically self-sufficient and immersed in American civic life. Their educational empowerment center is in Chicago. Become a volunteer!
- International Campaign for the Rohingya, USA – A DC based organization dedicated to addressing the needs of the Rohingya through political and community action. Follow this page to keep up with Rohingya specific petitions and legislation.
- Progressive Voice Myanmar – A participatory rights-based policy research and advocacy organization rooted in civil society, that maintains strong networks and relationships with grassroots and community-based organizations throughout Myanmar. The website provides weekly highlights on the current state of the region and the ongoing fight for democracy and justice.
- Rohingya Crisis Explained – From Concern USA, a timeline of events of the Rohingya crisis to date.
- Rohingya Cultural Center of Chicago – Chicago is home to the largest population of Rohingya refugees. Established in 2016, this community based social service organization supports the Rohingya refugee population in Chicago and continuously raises awareness of the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar.
- Rohingya Women Development Network Organization – Founded by Sharifah Shakirah, this organization is one of the first Rohingya women-led organizations as well as one of the first refugee women-led organizations in Malaysia. She was featured in a UNHCR Malaysia and an event with Refugees International.
Learn More from Refugees International
Explore our work focused on the Rohingya below and subscribe to our newsletter for future updates.
Banner Photo Caption: Rohingya refugees watch ICJ proceedings at a restaurant in a refugee camp on December 12, 2019 in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Photo by Allison Joyce via Getty Images.