Background

25 August 2021 is the 4-year anniversary of the military “clearance operations” against the Rohingya in Myanmar, which resulted in mass human rights violations against the Rohingya and caused over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Today, well over 800,000 Rohingya continue to reside in overcrowded refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. The prospect of repatriation for the Rohingya and an end to their statelessness is thrust ever further into the future.

And yet, despite all odds, the Rohingya demonstrate, on a daily basis, their resilience and strength. They have rebounded from fires, floods, lockdowns, and food shortages, leaning on each other and their own ingenuity to continue to forge a way forward. Many have sought out opportunities for education, livelihood, and growth for themselves and their children. They tirelessly seek out new ways to improve their circumstances, while continuing to honor their culture and faith.

Together with its partners, AJAR is hosting a 14-day campaign to not only commemorate the atrocities suffered by the Rohingya but to highlight the resilience and strength of the Rohingya. Far too often, media portrayals of the Rohingya suggest they are a burden – an unwanted, uneducated people who are a drain on resources. This campaign will seek to shift that narrative, by highlighting the experiences and resilience of the Rohingya and underscoring that the future of Myanmar is brighter #WithTheRohingya. It also will seek to build public understanding of, and advocate for, justice for the Rohingya, emphasizing that AJAR and others stand #WithTheRohingya in the call for accountability. The campaign kicks off on 12 August 2021, which is International Youth Day, and conclude on 25 August, the anniversary of the Rohingya genocide.