In a statement to U.S. Congress in October of 2020, Mohib Ullah, Chairman Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace & Human Rights said “If you wait to take action, we will die.”
We are filled with utter sadness at the news of Mohib's murder earlier today. His death is a tragedy for the Rohingya refugee community in Cox's Bazar as well as the entire world. The violence he succumbed to is an increasing part of daily life for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and it must be addressed. Mohib was a leader and a symbol of all that is good about the Rohingya people. His strength, resilience and perseverance can be seen in so many others and the example he set was seen around the world. He was a beacon of hope of a people that have been persecuted for decades. Mohib insisted that the Rohingya must have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. He believed that the work for justice and accountability must be non violent. His tireless work to find a path for the Rohingya to return to Burma with guaranteed rights and citizenship cannot be overstated. This important and necessary work will continue to move forward. The Rohingya spirit and will for living with dignity and peace cannot be broken. But the lack of accountability for the crimes against the Rohingya is inexcusable. We continue to call upon the U.S. to make a formal determination that the violent, systematic campaign against the Rohingya constitutes genocide. We call on the U.S. and international community to support international justice mechanisms including the cases before the ICC and ICJ, to address the crimes against the Rohingya and bring about justice and accountability. Without widespread condemnation of the junta's brutal and relentless campaign to erase the Rohingya, the government and military of Burma will continue to act with impunity.
Honor Mohib Ullah. Honor all of the Rohingya lives that have been senselessly lost. Don't wait any longer.
Photo: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters