Examining Pathways to Peace and the Return Home
a half-day virtual program hosted by the American Bar Association International Criminal Law Committee
September 23, 2022
8:00 am EDT, 10:00 am EDT, 12:00 pm EDT
Program Supporters
Since August 2017, the international community has continued to watch the Rohingya suffer degradation of their human rights. Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are now facing calls for repatriation even though there are no conditions on the ground for a safe, durable, and dignified return to the Arakan (Rakhine) state in Burma (Myanmar). The conditions throughout Burma have worsened due to the February 2021 coup, where the Myanmar military took control of the country. This half-day program, hosted by the American Bar Association’s International Criminal Law Committee, will examine the past and present conditions the Rohingya have faced and continue to face as a result of genocidal policies and what, if any, factors are helping to address the genocide and related challenges. In addition, the program will look to what kinds of solutions and conditions must exist for the genocide to end and for the Rohingya to return safely home to the Arakan.
This is a virtual program and is free to attend. You must register for each session you are interested in; a separate link will be sent directly to a valid email address. Speakers to be announced in due course.
8:00 AM EDT SESSION 1: CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING THE ROHINGYA PEOPLE THROUGHOUT ASIA
Moderator: Alex Vesselinovitch, Co-Chair ABA International Criminal Law Committee
Panelists: Tapan Bose, Razia Sultana, Azril Mohd Amin, Sara Hossain
This session will focus on the current conditions the Rohingya are facing throughout Asia and examine the impacts of the continued commission of genocide and crimes against humanity within Burma. The panel will discuss how countries in Asia are handling the challenges brought on by the Rohingya genocide while the Rohingya people continue to seek safety from persecution.
REGISTER HERE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PImoWYD_SB-QpiN6r_tp9w
10:00 AM EDT SESSION 2: GENOCIDE AND THE POLITICS OF RETURN: LESSONS FROM HISTORY
Moderator: Deniz Tamer, Attorney
Panelists: Corinne Lewis, Nurul Islam, Simon Billeness
This session will explore the history of the Rohingya people and the genocide and crimes against humanity they have faced for many decades. It will focus on the role of different actors which have caused the situation to deteriorate over time. This panel will also explore the impact of the perpetration of crimes against the Rohingya, focusing on movements into Bangladesh and previous efforts at return.
REGISTER HERE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HgyRjO9hSGalwQt3u_iF_w
12:00 PM EDT SESSION 3: THE ROHINGYA PEOPLE AND THE LONG ROAD HOME
Moderator: Susan Schwartz, Co-Chair, ABA International Criminal Law Committee
Panelists: Arsalan Suleman, Habib Ullah, Nicholas Koumjian, Dr. Natalie Brinham
This session will build upon the other two sessions and focus on the future of the Rohingya people, specifically focusing on the importance of the rule of law, changes in policy, and key solutions to stopping the genocide and allowing a safe, voluntary, and dignified return home. Panelists will examine questions on how does a genocide “end”? What kinds of legal avenues exist that could help the genocide to end? What do conditions need to look like for a safe environment to be created for the Rohingya to return home in a dignified and voluntary manner?
REGISTER HERE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__oOt3Ic9RYOxrInHR84eXQ