Today, the 25th of August, is a dark day for the people of Myanmar, as it marks the fourth anniversary of the launch of genocidal attacks by the Tatmadaw against the ethnic Rohingya people of Rakhine State.

This horrific atrocity and crime claimed the lives of untold numbers of innocent people, and forced more than three quarters of a million people to run for their lives over the Bangladesh border where they are forced to remain today.

It is unacceptable to regard what occurred four years ago as an unfortunate part of Myanmar’s history. Indeed, the root cause of the genocidal attacks against our Rohingya brothers and sisters – impunity – remains very much a part of today’s Myanmar. Those who committed these crimes, starting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, have never been held accountable. As a result, they have felt free to attack not only the Rohingya, but all of the people of Myanmar, in an ongoing brutal and systematic assault that clearly constitutes crimes against humanity.

It is therefore imperative that we not only recognize the horrific crime enacted four years ago against the Rohingya, but that we also commit to the pursuit of justice for those who were, and are, responsible.

It is for this reason that we have submitted a formal letter to the International Criminal Court, agreeing to the jurisdiction of the court, so that those who are responsible for these crimes will face justice. It is also why the National Unity Government has publicly committed to human rights for all in Myanmar, justice and reparations for the Rohingya and vehement opposition to any form of discrimination and prejudice.

Today we join in the solemn commemoration of a very dark day in Myanmar’s history. Most importantly, we do so by recommitting ourselves to the pursuit of justice for the Rohingya, an end to the Tatmadaw’s impunity, and human rights as a birthright for each and every member of a unified Myanmar.

Sincerely,

H.E. Dr. Sasa
Union Minister of Ministry of International Cooperation
Spoke Person of Nation Unity Government
Former Special Envoy to United Nations