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Our Walls Bear Witness: Burma’s Rohingya Still Under Threat

Public Program
Dilara, 22, and her infant arrived in Bangladesh on September 9, 2017. She had been suffering from a high fever for more than ten days. Greg Constantine for the US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Dilara, 22, and her infant arrived in Bangladesh on September 9, 2017. She had been suffering from a high fever for more than ten days. Greg Constantine for the US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Burma’s Muslim Rohingya minority has faced severe discrimination and persecution for decades, perpetrated by the Burmese government. In recent years, the Rohingya have suffered mass atrocities, including crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. The Museum's Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide has expressed concern about the mounting evidence of genocide against the Rohingya.

Two recent waves of brutal violence by the Burmese military against Rohingya civilians—marked by mass killings, sexual violence, torture, and forced displacement—have resulted in one of the fastest-growing refugee crises of our time. As of late 2017 more than 700,000 Rohingya have fled from Burma to neighboring Bangladesh where they continue to suffer from mental and physical trauma and live in overcrowded camps.

Rohingya activist Tun Khin, policy analyst Olivia Enos, photographer Greg Constantine, and journalist Greta Van Susteren will discuss their recent trips to the region to bear witness to the deadly conflict in Burma, the humanitarian catastrophe that continues to worsen, and the uncertain future the Rohingya face.

Following the discussion, we will step outside to view larger-than-life projections of Constantine’s photographs on the Museum’s exterior walls.

Remarks
Irene Weiss, Holocaust survivor

Speakers
Greg Constantine, Photojournalist
Olivia Enos, Policy Analyst, Asian Studies at the Heritage Foundation
Tun Khin, President, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK
Greta Van Susteren,Voice of America contributor and host of VOA’s Plugged In with Greta Van Susteren

Moderator
Naomi Kikoler, Deputy Director, Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Join the conversation online using #Burma #Rohingya and #USHMM

This program is free and open to the public but reservations are required. For more information, please contact calendar@ushmm.org.