URGENT ACTION REQUIRED: Recent Mass Killings of Rohingyas in Maungdaw
August 6th, 2024
Justice for All Canada is profoundly alarmed and grieved by the recent mass killings of Rohingya Muslims in Maungdaw, Rakhine State. On August 5, 2024, approximately 200 Rohingya civilians, primarily women and children, were killed in a horrific drone attack by the Arakan Army (AA) as they sought to cross a border. Distressing images and video footage from the scene shows the bodies of these innocent victims. Justice for All Canada was notified by Rohingya leaders in Canada and Myanmar-Burma about this ongoing crisis, and we continue to monitor the developing situation closely.
This latest atrocity is part of an escalating pattern of violence against the Rohingya community, contributing to pervasive fear and instability in the region. The absence of accountability and an effective international response emboldens the perpetrators, as evidenced by a series of recent attacks. On July 30, 2024, the AA launched a drone attack on Ward 5 in Maungdaw Township, killing two individuals and injuring four others. On July 27, 2024, another attack by the AA in Ward No. 01 resulted in the immediate death of five Rohingya and left more than ten others severely injured. These civilians were merely attempting to collect rations for their families when they were targeted.
The conflict between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar-Burma junta has placed the Rohingya in an untenable position, with civilian areas frequently caught in the crossfire. Reports indicate severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. The country has descended further into armed conflict and displacement since the military coup three and a half years ago. The humanitarian catastrophe and grave atrocities in Myanmar-Burma have primarily impacted the Rohingya and other vulnerable communities. For instance, the conflict has resulted in widespread beheadings, burning of homes, forced recruitment, torture, and massive aerial bombardments against Rohingya. Additionally, the junta's brutal tactics have driven over three million civilians from their homes, including the burning of resistance fighters alive and the unconscionable treatment of female detainees. The above described action are a continuation of the decades of persecution and eventual genocide experienced by the Rohingya in Myanmar-Burma.*
In response to these grave developments, Justice for All Canada calls on the Government of Canada to act decisively to prevent further atrocities, particularly:
Justice for All Canada stands in solidarity with the Rohingya people and calls for immediate, coordinated action to protect this vulnerable community from further harm. We urge the Canadian government to take these steps to uphold its moral and legal obligations, and to demonstrate Canada's commitment to preventing genocide and mass atrocities.
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*For decades, the Rohingya Muslim minority have been systematically disenfranchised and been the victims of grave human rights abuses by Burmese military leaders as well as Buddhist nationalists. In 2017, the Burmese army and other security forces launched a pre-planned military operation against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine State, which forced almost one million Rohingya to flee their homes and seek refuge in Bangladesh. The genocidal attacks included the burning, looting, and razing of entire villages, seizure of property, mass killings, as well as systematic sexual violence. At least 10,000 Rohingya were murdered, and almost 400 villages burned. The Rohingya who have been forcibly displaced to Bangladesh endure one of the largest refugee crises in the world, where they face poor conditions in overcrowded refugee camps.
The United States Secretary of State has formally recognized mass killings perpetrated against the Rohingya Muslims of Burma in 2017 as genocide. Additionally, The Gambia filed a case under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice, seeking redress for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya. Canada supported The Gambia’s case along with several other countries. However to date, there has been little accountability for those responsible for the genocide.
Justice for All Canada is profoundly alarmed and grieved by the recent mass killings of Rohingya Muslims in Maungdaw, Rakhine State. On August 5, 2024, approximately 200 Rohingya civilians, primarily women and children, were killed in a horrific drone attack by the Arakan Army (AA) as they sought to cross a border. Distressing images and video footage from the scene shows the bodies of these innocent victims. Justice for All Canada was notified by Rohingya leaders in Canada and Myanmar-Burma about this ongoing crisis, and we continue to monitor the developing situation closely.
This latest atrocity is part of an escalating pattern of violence against the Rohingya community, contributing to pervasive fear and instability in the region. The absence of accountability and an effective international response emboldens the perpetrators, as evidenced by a series of recent attacks. On July 30, 2024, the AA launched a drone attack on Ward 5 in Maungdaw Township, killing two individuals and injuring four others. On July 27, 2024, another attack by the AA in Ward No. 01 resulted in the immediate death of five Rohingya and left more than ten others severely injured. These civilians were merely attempting to collect rations for their families when they were targeted.
The conflict between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar-Burma junta has placed the Rohingya in an untenable position, with civilian areas frequently caught in the crossfire. Reports indicate severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. The country has descended further into armed conflict and displacement since the military coup three and a half years ago. The humanitarian catastrophe and grave atrocities in Myanmar-Burma have primarily impacted the Rohingya and other vulnerable communities. For instance, the conflict has resulted in widespread beheadings, burning of homes, forced recruitment, torture, and massive aerial bombardments against Rohingya. Additionally, the junta's brutal tactics have driven over three million civilians from their homes, including the burning of resistance fighters alive and the unconscionable treatment of female detainees. The above described action are a continuation of the decades of persecution and eventual genocide experienced by the Rohingya in Myanmar-Burma.*
In response to these grave developments, Justice for All Canada calls on the Government of Canada to act decisively to prevent further atrocities, particularly:
- Sanction the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE): Implement targeted global sanctions against MOGE, the junta's largest remaining source of income, to halt the flow of funds enabling their atrocities. Despite Canada’s sanctions regime against Myanmar-Burma officials, MOGE remains unsanctioned, unlike in the US and EU. Immediate action is needed to prevent Canadian companies from engaging with this state-owned enterprise controlled by the junta.
- Shift and Scale-Up Humanitarian Aid Channels: Transition Canada’s humanitarian aid to cross-border channels via neighbouring countries, bypassing junta-controlled pathways. This approach ensures aid reaches the most vulnerable and prevents the junta from politicizing and weaponizing assistance. Support local actors with expertise in delivering aid effectively to displaced and conflict-affected communities, particularly in hard-hit areas like Rakhine State. The majority of Canada's humanitarian help to Myanmar-Burma is sent by international organizations, such as the Myanmar Red Cross Society, through channels under junta control. This strategy not only fails to reach the most vulnerable people afflicted by violence, but it also gives the terrorist junta legitimacy, enabling it to weaponize and politicize aid.
- Renew Canada’s Strategy on Rohingya and Myanmar-Burma Crises: Develop and implement a clear strategy that reflects the current situation in Myanmar-Burma, guiding Canadian policy and support. This strategy should include budget appropriations for humanitarian aid and capacity-building support for national and sub-national governments, and fulfill the promise of appointing a Special Envoy to lead diplomatic engagement and coordination with international partners.
- Facilitate Refugee Resettlement and Support Activists: Increase the number of Rohingya and other refugees from Myanmar-Burma admitted to Canada. Additionally, provide support to Rohingya and other ethnic activists based in Canada by funding their education and leadership development. This will help build a new generation of civil society leaders crucial for Myanmar-Burma’s future federal democracy.
Justice for All Canada stands in solidarity with the Rohingya people and calls for immediate, coordinated action to protect this vulnerable community from further harm. We urge the Canadian government to take these steps to uphold its moral and legal obligations, and to demonstrate Canada's commitment to preventing genocide and mass atrocities.
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*For decades, the Rohingya Muslim minority have been systematically disenfranchised and been the victims of grave human rights abuses by Burmese military leaders as well as Buddhist nationalists. In 2017, the Burmese army and other security forces launched a pre-planned military operation against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine State, which forced almost one million Rohingya to flee their homes and seek refuge in Bangladesh. The genocidal attacks included the burning, looting, and razing of entire villages, seizure of property, mass killings, as well as systematic sexual violence. At least 10,000 Rohingya were murdered, and almost 400 villages burned. The Rohingya who have been forcibly displaced to Bangladesh endure one of the largest refugee crises in the world, where they face poor conditions in overcrowded refugee camps.
The United States Secretary of State has formally recognized mass killings perpetrated against the Rohingya Muslims of Burma in 2017 as genocide. Additionally, The Gambia filed a case under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice, seeking redress for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya. Canada supported The Gambia’s case along with several other countries. However to date, there has been little accountability for those responsible for the genocide.