Joint Statement Urging More Aid, Solidarity and Attention to Sudan Crisis New York, September 13, 2023 – We, the heads of over 50 human rights and humanitarian organizations are coming together to sound the alarm about Sudan, where a disaster is unfolding before our eyes. With fighting continuing across the country, brutal sexual violence rising, widespread deliberate and indiscriminate attacks …
Author: Simon Billenness
The Rohingya Genocide, Six Years Later
Six years ago, the Myanmar military perpetuated genocide and has yet to be brought to justice This week marks the sixth anniversary of the Rohingya genocide. Six years ago, the Myanmar military launched attacks on Rohingya communities in Rakhine State forcing over 700,000 Rohingya refugees to flee to Bangladesh where they remain to this day. To mark this week, we …
Want to Join Us for Meetings with Congress for Myanmar?
Would you like to meet your Members of Congress regarding Myanmar? We’re seeking one or more people in each state and House district. We would work with you to set up a Zoom or in-person meeting with the staff of your House Member or senators. We’d also prepare you beforehand with talking points. The goal is to let you – voters …
We need your help
We are making progress, will you help us keep it up? Every week, we wake up to horrific reports of new atrocities by the Myanmar military. They seem to become more brutal with each passing day. In the last month, the Myanmar military has killed more than 210 people in air strikes targeting the civilian population in six Myanmar regions and …
We must stop the deadly airstrikes in Myanmar
The airstrikes are getting more and more deadly This week, in one of its deadliest airstrikes, the Myanmar military killed at least 133 people, including women and children, in the north-western Sagaing region. According to a report by the BBC, residents uploaded video showing scenes of appalling carnage, with dismembered bodies lying on the ground. Congress has before it House …
Tell Bulgari to stop selling #GenocideGems
Next week is one of the biggest days of the year for jewelry sales, Valentine’s Day. Let’s demand that big international jewelry retailers, such as Bulgari, stop buying Burmese gems that fund the Myanmar military. For decades, Myanmar’s military has committed numerous war crimes against ethnic minority communities as it has consolidated its control over Burma’s gemstone mines. Since the …
Two years later, the people of Myanmar still want democracy
Yesterday, all across Myanmar, people took part in a “silent strike” to protest the second anniversary of the military coup. According to Myanmar Now, streets in the city of Yangon were deserted on Wednesday. Though the day was not a public holiday, little activity was seen in the commercial capital. There are reports of people staying home in more than …
You did it! The U.S. House passed the Uyghur Policy Act!
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Uyghur Policy Act (H.R. 4785) by an overwhelming vote of 407 – 17. You did it! It is thanks in good part to your continual lobbying of your Members of Congress, that the House passed overwhelmingly the Uyghur Policy Act. Next, before this “lame duck” session ends, let’s tell our Members of Congress …
Today is the anniversary of the 8/8/88 Burmese uprising
August 8th marks the beginning of the 1988 popular uprising against military rule. One of the four pro-democracy activists recently executed by the military, Kyaw Min Yu (Ko Jimmy), was only 19 when he played a role in organizing protests and was imprisoned for the first time. Let’s mark this anniversary of 8/8/88 by insisting that our senators stand …
What will it take for Biden to sanction MOGE?
This week, we are mourning the four democracy activists – Kyaw Min Yu (Ko Jimmy), Phyo Zeyaw Thaw, Hla Myo Aung, and Aung Thura Zaw – killed by the Myanmar military. In the wake of these murders, the U.S. Administration is signaling that “all options are on the table” to hold the military accountable. Let’s make sure that the Biden …