MARCHING TO GENOCIDE IN BURMA

MAY 2014

United to End Genocide traveled to Burma in February-March 2014 and found disturbing warning signs of genocide.

ON THE GROUND IN BURMA

Violence targeting the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority in Rakhine state in western Burma has displaced 140,000 Rohingya and killed over 200 since 2012.

CAMPAIGN OF HATE

Prominent nationalist monks like Ashin Wirathu describe Muslims as “dogs” and “African carp” who “breed quickly…are very violent and they eat their own kind”.

HATE SPEECH AND DEHUMINIZATION

Ongoing boycotts of Muslim businesses demarcated by “969 campaign” stickers or Buddhist flags are rampant in places like Meiktila where a massacre last year left more than 40 dead.

PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGNS

A state policy of persecution in Rakhine state has limited the rights of Rohingya Muslims to marry, have children, work, move, and gain access to education.

RESTRICTION OF RIGHTS BASED ON IDENTITY

In 2013 the UN estimated that some 30,000 Rohingya fled Burma by boat. The rate is believed to have increased in 2014.

EXODUS BY BOAT

In March 2014 Burma expelled the Nobel Laureate aid group Doctors Without Borders from Rakhine State. MSF is the main supplier of health care to hundreds of thousands, now without live-saving care.

DENIAL OF LIVE-SAVING HEALTHCARE

Attacks on international aid groups in April lead to evacuations, blockage of humanitarian aid and fewer independent observers.

WITHDRAWAL OF OBSERVERS AND WITNESSES

Some brave groups and individuals are speaking out within Burma, but much more support is needed for voices of tolerance.

FEW VOICES OF SUPPORT IN BURMA

• Demand that Burma immediately rescind the order expelling Doctors Without Borders and allow all humanitarian aid groups to reopen health clinics and services;

• Demand independent investigation including international observers into the violence against Burma’s Muslim minority and hold perpetrators accountable;

 • Suspend diplomatic and military meetings until immediate

attacks are stopped and progress is made on human rights; • Update the U.S. sanctions list of “Specially Designated

Nationals” to include individuals responsible for perpetrating recent violence.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONEThe U.S. and international community should:

FACES OF THE ROHINGYAEthnic and religiously motivated violence, burning of homes and hateful rhetoric are ominous warning signs of genocide in Burma.

ACT NOW: endgenocide.org/burma