1. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH “ We want the support and input of international organisations, but we do not want to have decisions taken out of our hands. Don’t simply add our voices to the bigger organisation’s objectives. Instead, genuinely support us to carve our own path towards the future. JAIVET EALOM This briefing paper is part of a wider collaboration on the human rights of Rohingya living in Myanmar and in refugee situations elsewhere. This paper recognises the need for Rohingya to drive solutions for their own futures, and for international organisations and NGOs to be accountable to the Rohingya and to value Rohingya knowledge and analysis by placing it at the centre of projects and initiatives. The information and content of this paper has been provided and reviewed by Rohingya activists and compiled and drafted by the team at the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (ISI). The recommendations reflect the views and proposals articulated by Rohingya activists during discussions. As such the content does not necessarily represent a unified position, but rather reflects a collection of priorities and concerns of different activists relating to the impact of the pandemic on situations which were already placing unbearable strain on Rohingya communities. Participants in this process included activists living in refugee and other diasporic situations.2 The group recognises refugees and diaspora as part of the same interconnected Rohingya community rooted in Myanmar. As a result of decades of persecution in Myanmar, individuals have been forcibly displaced, creating family and community connections spanning multiple geographic contexts across the globe; but all maintain a stake in Rohingya futures in Rakhine State in Myanmar. A total of 25 Rohingya activists living in the Asia-Pacific region, North America and Europe participated in one all-Rohingya webinar and two online focus group discussions between 25 June and 08 July 2020.3 Participants jointly identified concerns and priorities relating to the human rights impact of COVID-19 on Rohingya communities.4 The group as a whole recognised the need for increased participation from Rohingya women in group and public discussions and for Rohingya communities to work towards equal participation. The webinar featured an equal number of Rohingya women and men. In discussion groups women activists made up 30% of the participants. The gendered impact of COVID-19 was explored by both women and men in the discussion groups. This content is organised thematically to highlight four areas of human rights concern: Border closures and dangerous journeys; Detention and access to asylum; Loss of livelihoods and food security; and Access to health information and services. The issues identified impacted Rohingya populations in multiple country contexts including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Malaysia, India and Thailand. The gendered impact of COVID-19 cut across all areas of human rights concerns and geographical contexts and is incorporated into all themes. All the human rights issues identified have occurred over decades. Vulnerabilities and risks have heightened as a result of the pandemic and associated state policies including border closures, immigration measures, lockdowns and containment. The human rights issues have resulted from decades of persecution and genocide in Myanmar, which are compounded by a deficit of justice and restitution that prevents Rohingya from returning home in safety as citizens with full and equal rights.5 A full list of contributors is included at end of this paper. Events that have taken place after 8 July 2020 are not included in this paper. 4 This paper is based on the information provided during the webinar and focus groups. It does not include desk-based research. 5 For more information on transitional, transformative and Rohingya concepts of justice, see discussion in Webinar “Human Rights and COVID-19: What next for Rohingya?” June 25th Available here: https://www.institutesi.org/news/webinar-human-rights-and-covid-19-what-now-for-the-rohingya 2 3 3