Episode: KPN 28-3-2022

Yes, it is and always has been Genocide

The Arakan Rohingya National Organisation welcomes the US decision to recognise the Rohingya genocide. ARNO has been advocating in its discussions with the US Government for the genocide declaration since 2014 given the significant actions that have been taken since the 1960’s against the Rohingya. The 2017 genocidal purge in the Arakan was the latest in a long line of events which finally caught the international community’s attention in manner which propelled many different processes into action.

“The US decision to recognize the Rohingya genocide comes at an important time not only as the Rohingya people continue to languish in Burma, but also for all our brothers and sisters in the Karen, Kachin, Chin, and Shan communities which are daily targets of violence at the hands of the Burmese military (Tatmadaw).”

Arakan Rohingya National Organisation Press Release

The US decision to recognize the Rohingya genocide comes at an important time not only as the Rohingya people continue to languish in Burma, but also for all our brothers and sisters in the Karen, Kachin, Chin, and Shan communities which are daily targets of violence at the hands of the Burmese military (Tatmadaw).

Given the US position on the Rohingya genocide, ARNO welcomes the following actions by the US:

First, the US should push the United Nations or similar actor to create a Burma/Myanmar Truth and Clarification Commission, as ARNO has repeatedly requested over the last few years, in order to document and clarify the historical and current record of the depth and nature of the Rohingya genocide.

Since the February 2021 coup, it has become clear that the Truth and Clarification Commission should be broadened so that all ethnic minority groups in Burma can participate and work on the same challenges that they are facing at the hands of the Tatmadaw.

ARNO encourages the United States to support a Truth Commission as it did for the Guatemala Historical Clarification Commission in the 1990s.

Second, ARNO encourages the US to pursue a complete and total arms embargo on the Tatmadaw and known associates and allies which are also selling arms to the Tatmadaw.

“ARNO encourages the US to exercise Universal Jurisdiction through all possible avenues to prosecute the Tatmadaw and all known entities which have allowed for racism, corruption, and all avenues to exist which have and continue to enable the genocide.”

Arakan Rohingya National Organisation Press Release

Finally, ARNO encourages the US to exercise Universal Jurisdiction through all possible avenues to prosecute the Tatmadaw and all known entities which have allowed for racism, corruption, and all avenues to exist which have and continue to enable the genocide.

ARNO is grateful for continued US aid to the Rohingya in camps in Bangladesh, for its advocacy of Rohingya people throughout the world, and is grateful for its commitment to granting Rohingya people status in the United States to live a life that has enabled them and people within ARNO to continue advocating for their people.

Tagged as: Arakan, Teknaf, Rakhine, Balukhali, Sittwe, RRRC, Burma-Bangladesh border, APBn, Rohingya, IDP camp in Arakan, Arakan Army, Bangadesh refugee camp, Rohingya Refugee, Maungdaw, Rohingya refugee camp, Buthidaung, BGP, Rathedaung, BGB, Burma, Akyab, Myanmar, Kutupalong.