On Jan. 31, the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) staged a coup in Myanmar, taking into captivity pro-democracy activists and many of the country’s democratic leaders, including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Since 2017, the Tatmadaw has led a brutal and genocidal campaign against the Rohingya people, killing thousands and forcing more than 700,000 to flee to nearby Bangladesh. The Tatmadaw’s aggressive actions raise concerns of a return to military dictatorship following 10 years of democratic rule. We are deeply concerned for the people of Myanmar, especially the Rohingya, who have already suffered so much.
The military’s actions exacerbate instability in the region, worsening the already dire circumstances facing the Rohingya who remain in the country and making safe and dignified repatriation impossible for those who have fled. Everyone deserves the right to self-determination, free from state-sponsored persecution.
The United States must immediately declare that the Tatmadaw’s actions against the Rohingya constitute genocide. This determination will show the world that we do not stand for such transgressions and will trigger further sanctions and intervention against the perpetrators.
Please sign this letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken that affirms the Rohingya’s rights and urges immediate action by the United States on this critical issue.