Burma News Update July 15, 2022

Burma Task Force has been participating in numerous meetings with Congressional representatives of both political parties to promote the Burma Act that is stalled in the Senate. Congressman Meeks has placed Burma legislation language in the NDAA military appropriations Bill, and last week this passed in committee, an important step.

The Burmese military continues to seek more arms deals with Russia, while bombing its own people. Even the huge French oil company Total has finally withdrawn from working in Burma. This week, the Rohingya wait for the decision of the International Court of Justice regarding whether or not to accept the military’s legal objections to the court proceedings regarding genocide. While recognizing that the judges come from diverse nations and backgrounds, Burma Task Force expects a positive outcome, and that the Court case will proceed.

Unfortunately in the refugee camps of Bangladesh, policies are more and more restrictive, with beatings and arrests of Rohingya who complain about cell phone seizures and other arbitrary forms of harassment. The Rohingya Journalists Saiful and Azi Arakani have had their homes raided, their relatives arrested, and their valuables confiscated. The Bangladesh government is behaving like the Burmese government. If you are a Bangladeshi, and are willing to raise your voice to encourage more compassionate policies, please contact us via adem@burmamuslims.org