JRJN Statement on Passage of BURMA Act

December 16, 2022 | PRESS RELEASES

Jewish Rohingya Justice Network Celebrates Passage of the BURMA Act; Renews Call for Accountability and Justice for the Rohingya People

In celebration of the BURMA Act’s passage as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network released the following statement:

“We celebrate the historic inclusion of the Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability (BURMA) Act in this year’s NDAA after years of steadfast advocacy. Through its passage, the BURMA Act will permit additional targeted sanctions against Burmese military officials and state-owned companies. These sanctions, when enacted, will make it far more difficult for the junta to access funds for its military operations and ongoing atrocities committed against the Burmese people. The bill also includes efforts aimed to support Burma’s democracy movement and civil society. These are all much-needed measures that will hold the genocidal military regime accountable for its past and present crimes, and support the Burmese people in their fight for democracy following the 2021 military coup. Importantly, the BURMA Act sends a message to the people of Burma that the U.S. is committed to standing with them in their work for a peaceful, just, and democratic country.

We know, however, that more action is needed to ensure justice for the Rohingya people, who continue to face ongoing persecution and the traumatic effects of genocide. We urge the U.S. government and international community to build on today’s success by:

1. Supporting international justice mechanisms to help apply further pressure and bring accountability to the military junta;

2. Supporting further durable solutions for Rohingya refugees, including both resettlement and human rights-respecting integration measures in countries of first asylum; and

3. Ensuring that Rohingya people always have an equal seat at the decision-making table.

We are grateful for the steadfast leadership of House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation Subcommittee Steve Chabot (R-OH), and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) for their leadership in introducing the BURMA Act and tirelessly advocating for its passage, with the support of many others in and out of Congress.

Since its founding in 2017, the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network (JRJN) has advocated for Congress and the U.S. Administration to take action to support the Rohingya people in their fight for justice and accountability. In accordance with that mission, the JRJN has supported the Burmese people in their fight for a true, rights-respecting democracy. At the start of this Congress we committed to again support the BURMA Act’s reintroduction and passage, and this commitment was only strengthened after the Burmese military seized power in a coup in February 2021. The toll on the Burmese people has been staggering since the coup, and the fight for democracy continues to this day.

While grateful for its passage, this legislation is not our end goal – there is still much work needed to restore democracy in Burma and ensure safety, justice, and a peaceful future for all the people of Burma, including the Rohingya community. Our tradition teaches us that we must actively pursue justice: Tzedek, tzedek tirdof. So today, we celebrate this win. Tomorrow, we will forge onwards in the fight to end impunity for the Burmese military and restore human rights for the Rohingya people.”

About the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network

The Jewish Rohingya Justice Network is a prominent consortium of Jewish NGOs advocating for the rights of the persecuted Rohingya people of Burma. JRJN’s membership includes 34 organizations and all five major branches of American Judaism that together encompass the support of millions of American Jews —all standing together against genocide.

Inspired by the Jewish commitment to justice, the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network (JRJN) works to promote a robust U.S. and international response to the Rohingya genocide through education of our communities and advocacy in Washington, DC.

To reach the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network for comment, email jewishrohingyajusticenetwork@gmail.com. To see all of our previous statements, click here.