April 5th - 7th at the Oregon Historical Society and Portland State University

All events are free and open to the public.

For decades, the Rohingya people of Burma have faced systematic discrimination and targeted violence by the Burmese government. They have been stripped of their citizenship, forced from their homes, and denied basic human rights. In August 2017 the Burmese military launched a clearance operation forcing over 700,000 Rohingya to flee into Bangladesh. In the face of extreme persecution, and despite the efforts of the Myanmar government to erase them, the Rohingya continue to show a face of resiliency and courage in their desire for peace, justice, and accountability.

This symposium brings together survivors, activists, and internationally renowned experts to foster a better understanding of the crisis and explore possible paths forward. The symposium will be centered around the photography exhibit Exiled to Nowhere by documentary photographer Greg Constantine. This exhibit documents not only the plight of the Rohingya and how the tactics taken over time have led to the near destruction of this community, but also shows how, in spite of all that has been done to destroy them, the Rohingya continue to find a way to survive and persevere regardless of the ground beneath their feet.

Panels and conversation over this three day event include:

• Bearing Witness: Documenting Genocide and Mass Atrocities

• Stories of Survival: A Conversation about Genocide, Past and Present

• In-depth Discussion about the Rohingya Crisis

• A Path to Justice: Examining the Legal Challenges of the Rohingya Crisis

• Sexual and Gender Based Violence: The Case of Rohingya Women and Girls

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Photo by Greg Constantine

Greg Constantine’s exhibit, Exiled to Nowhere, will be on display April 5-11th at the Oregon Historical Society. The exhibition continues April 15th through May 12th at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education with additional events taking place during that time.

Sponsors for the event include the Oregon Historical Society, Never Again Coalition, World Oregon, Americans for Rohingya, Friends of Rohingya USA, Muslim Educational Trust, KBOO, The Immigrant Story, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Portland State University’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Lewis and Clark Law School’s Crime Victims’ Rights Alliance, American Jewish World Service, and RAIN International. With support form Eric and Alia Breon.