Call Today to Support a New Senate Bill for the Rohingya
Thanks to your efforts, we recently had success when the US House passed a resolution declaring that what Rohingyas are facing is a genocide. However, the US Senate has not voted on a bill which passed the Senate Foreign Relations committee.
Last week Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) introduced a new bipartisan bill to protect the Rohingya, recognize and restore their rights and hold the perpetrators of war crimes and genocide accountable.
While Burma Task Force would prefer to see an even stronger bill, we recognize that in its present form the legislation would have a strong impact on the Burmese government. It proposes sanctions on vast Burmese military-owned businesses, especially in the gemstone trade, and for the first time, names Military chief General Hlaing as someone who should be sanctioned. It is also commendable that the bill clearly asks for Rohingya citizenship, lands and properties to be restored. Despite bipartisan support, last year's Senate bill was blocked by one man, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. This time we must show him that a strong bill is both necessary and inevitable.
Genocidal policies are still in effect in Burma and a soft approach to the crisis will only embolden other war criminals in Burma and around the world. Your voice matters, and numbers matter. Delay costs lives.
Please contact your Senators, and ask them to support S. 1186 if they do not already:
Tell your Senator the following:
“Please co-sponsor this bill without delay. This legislation is about our basic values as a nation. Genocide demands a bipartisan response. In the past, US sanctions helped lead to gradual steps to democratize Burma. Now, as the genocidal Rohingya persecution continues, strong sanctions on the Burmese military are needed more than ever. The current bill should not be watered down in any way. To do that is to send a message that genocide is now OK. But this crisis cannot be business as usual.”
- Burma Task Force
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