The Arakan Institute for Peace and Human Rights (AIPAH) has established a Rohingya Tribunal in Houston, Texas, United States, on September 1st to seek justice for crimes committed against the Rohingya people. The tribunal aims to promote truth, justice, and accountability for severe atrocities including genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed against the Rohingya population. AIPAH’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer U Shwe Maung announced that this tribunal will not only amplify the voices of survivors but will also hold perpetrators and their accomplices accountable before the international community.
The Rohingya Tribunal will operate according to international legal standards and will systematically document survivor testimonies, expert evidence, and investigative findings. The tribunal will also make legal determinations that will strengthen global advocacy efforts at the United Nations, US Congress, US Government, international courts, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, European Union, OIC, and ASEAN. U Shwe Maung clarified that while this tribunal is not intended to replace international courts, it will complement global justice-seeking processes. The establishment of the tribunal represents a historic step toward accountability, serving as a platform for documenting truth and ensuring perpetrators face responsibility for their actions.
The establishment of the Rohingya Tribunal marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of accountability for human rights violations in Myanmar. The evidence and documentation gathered through this tribunal will play a crucial role in future justice processes. Furthermore, it will serve as an important mechanism to increase international attention on the Rohingya issue and encourage necessary action from the global community. The tribunal’s work will focus on documenting systematic violations, preserving evidence, and creating a comprehensive record of crimes committed, while working within established international legal frameworks to ensure its findings contribute meaningfully to broader justice efforts.
