Burma Briefing: Burma’s Treatment of the Rohingya and International Law

By Burma Campaign UK • April 8, 2013

This briefing paper examines Burma’s treatment of the Rohingya in the context of international law, treaty obligations, and international guidelines and norms. It examines two particular areas; the general treatment of the Rohingya before the violence which erupted in June 2012, and the response of the government of Burma during and after the violence began.

The paper finds that Burma’s treatment of the Rohingya violates at least eight international laws, treaty obligations and international human rights guidelines.

Burma’s 1982 Citizenship Law violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and international norms prohibiting discrimination of racial and religious minorities, such as the UN General Assembly Resolution on the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination.

Burma’s treatment of the Rohingya violates UN definitions of the rule of law.

The investigation committee set up by the government of Burma violates international human rights guidelines.

Burma and the international community are failing in their duty of Responsibility to Protect.

Download the report here.