UN Member States should acknowledge Rohingya genocide in Myanmar: Fortify Rights

United Nations Member States should publicly acknowledge the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar and ensure the UN Security Council refers the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), said Fortify Rights today.

In a historic determination, the United States today announced that the Myanmar military is responsible for committing genocide against the Rohingya people.

"It is a signaling and remarkable milestone for Rohingya victims and survivors that the US has formally determined that the violence committed against Rohingya by the Myanmar military amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity," said Zaw Win, Human Rights Specialist at Fortify Rights.

"It has been a long-term expectation for the Rohingya community. Declaring that what happened to the Rohingya is in fact genocide should spur international accountability efforts and make it more difficult for the Myanmar military to continue its atrocity crimes."

Speaking at a briefing organized by the US Department of State at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the determination.

In November 2019, The Gambia filed a case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the UN's highest court, for failing to prevent or punish genocide against Rohingya Muslims. The case is ongoing.

In September 2018, the ICC granted the Chief Prosecutor jurisdiction to investigate and possibly prosecute the crime against humanity of forced deportation of Rohingya to Bangladesh, as well as persecution and other inhumane acts. Last month, the Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, concluded his first visit to Bangladesh as part of the ongoing investigation.

While the ICC is investigating forced deportation, it is not yet investigating the crime of genocide against Rohingya, and the ICC has not yet accepted the National Unity Government of Myanmar's declaration delegating jurisdiction of the court.