Anniversary of the genocide against the Rohingya (August 25)

August 25, 2020, marks the third anniversary of the genocide against the ethnic group of the Rohingya from Myanmar. On this occasion, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) published the report "A Children's Emergency – Report on children affected by and conceived in the genocide against the Rohingya" in which the human rights organization sheds light on the devastating situation of children who witnessed genocide crimes. The report also accounts for the fate of thousands of children born of rape, who are often forgotten.

"There are more than half a million children among the survivors of the genocide. Many of them witnessed serious atrocities or suffered them first-hand: Children were often targeted, even infants and unborn children. About 6,000 to 10,000 Rohingya girls were raped by Myanmar's military," reported Lina Stotz, STP expert on ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities and nationalities. Most of them are now living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. There, about 60 percent of the refugees are children. The situation in the camps does not meet humanitarian standards, especially not during a pandemic. "Most of the children who experienced or survived violence are severely traumatized. In addition, many of the girls and women have had children themselves – as a result of rape. There is a stigma attached to these mothers and children," Stotz stated.

The report presents the results of the first fieldwork on the fate of the "Children of War" among the Rohingya, which refers to children who were born of rape. "These 'Children of War' are marked by suffering: Due to the identity of their fathers, they are often considered complicit – and many mothers find it difficult to accept them. This has serious consequences for the mental and physical health of the children, their security, and their chances in life," Stotz explained. The report also accounts for the serious situation of the children in the camps, where they are prone to become victims of child marriage and human trafficking.

"Children who experienced genocide crimes or were born of rape are in desperate need of help. They don't deserve to become a lost generation. They deserve a life in dignity", Stotz emphasized. The report calls on the responsible countries to improve the situation of the Rohingya children. The STP will present its demands to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in September.  

Upon request, we will gladly send you a preliminary version of the report "A Children's Emergency – Report on children affected by and conceived in the genocide against the Rohingya".

You can download the report here.