RAISA Statements on the 7th Anniversary of Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Da

Today, we stand together to remember the unspeakable horrors that began seven years ago, on August 25, 2017, when the world witnessed one of the most brutal campaigns of ethnic cleansing in recent history. The genocide against the Rohingya people in Rakhine State, Myanmar, left thousands dead, countless women raped, villages burned to ashes, and over 700,000 Rohingya forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

Yet, seven years on, the nightmare for the Rohingya has not ended. Those who remain in Rakhine State endure an ongoing genocide, trapped in a web of civil war, violence, persecution, and systemic discrimination. The Myanmar military and Arakan Army continues to inflict terror, forcing to displace them from their homes. Their existence is a daily struggle for survival amid an intense civil war, where they are used as human shields and subjected to indiscriminate targeted killings. In recent attacks on Rohingya civilians in Buthidaung and Maungdaw, many women, children, and elders have tragically lost their lives.

For those who sought refuge in Bangladesh, their suffering has taken on a different form. The squalid, overcrowded refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, once seen as a temporary sanctuary, have become a new prison. The conditions in these camps are deteriorating, with diminishing resources, escalating tensions, and growing despair. In the face of dwindling international aid and the increasing hostility from host communities, the Rohingya are left with few options. Desperate to escape their plight, many have taken to the sea, only to perish in the treacherous waters of the Bay of Bengal, victims of ruthless human traffickers who exploit their vulnerability.

The lack of a cohesive and effective regional mechanism to address the Rohingya crisis has compounded their suffering. ASEAN’s inaction and the international community's failure to hold Myanmar accountable have emboldened the perpetrators and allowed the crisis to fester. Meanwhile, the reluctance of neighboring governments to fully support the Myanmar revolution, which seeks to dismantle the military junta and pave the way for a federal democratic system, has hindered any meaningful progress towards a solution for the Rohingya people.

The events of 2016 and 2017 were not an isolated tragedy but the culmination of decades of systematic oppression and marginalization of the Rohingya by the Myanmar state. The international community, including the United Nations, must acknowledge its role in

allowing this genocide to occur through its inaction and must take decisive steps to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

As we mark this solemn day, it is imperative to reflect on the path forward and to renew our commitment to justice and accountability for the Rohingya people.

The pursuit of transitional justice must be prioritized, with concrete actions that include International Accountability.

1.The perpetrators of the genocide, including the Myanmar military leadership, must be held accountable through international legal mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The global community must pressure Myanmar to comply with international law and bring an end to impunity.

2. The Rohingya deserve recognition of their suffering and compensation for the losses they have endured. This includes the right to return to their homeland in Rakhine State with full citizenship and protection of their rights, or, for those who choose, to be resettled in third countries where they can rebuild their lives in dignity.

3. ASEAN and neighboring countries must take a proactive role in addressing the Rohingya crisis, not just as a humanitarian issue, but as a matter of regional security and stability. This requires a coordinated response to combat human trafficking, improve the living conditions in refugee camps, and support efforts for a peaceful resolution in Myanmar.

4. The international community must support the Myanmar revolution and the National Unity Government (NUG), which represents the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people. A democratic Myanmar that respects human rights and the rule of law is essential for the long-term resolution of the Rohingya crisis.

On this day of remembrance, let us honor the resilience and courage of the Rohingya people and reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with their struggle for justice and dignity. The road ahead is long and fraught with challenges, but we must persevere in our efforts to ensure that the Rohingya can one day live in peace, free from fear and oppression, in a homeland that truly belongs to them.