Bradford, United Kingdom 25 August 2024 – Bradford City Hall hosted the annual Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day today, organised by the Rohingya Centre UK (RCUK) in partnership with Bradford Council. This event marked seven years since the Rohingya Genocide, a dark chapter in modern history that began in August 2017 when over 700,000 Rohingya men, women, and children were forced to flee their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine state due to a brutal military crackdown. This tragedy has left nearly 1.3 million Rohingya in exile, primarily in Bangladesh.
The commemoration was attended by a broad spectrum of the city’s political, civic, and community leadership, including Imran Hussain MP for Bradford East, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford City Council, local councillors and representatives of RUCK. The event also featured participants from diverse community, the members of the Rohingya diaspora and charity organisations such as the Race Equality Network, Kala Sangam, Happy Healthy You Bradford and Beyond, and Ummul Qura Islamic Centre. The gathering showcased Bradford’s commitment to inclusivity and solidarity, bringing together voices from various faiths, ethnic backgrounds, and advocacy groups.
Participants observed a moment of silence to honour the victims and survivors of the Rohingya genocide, followed by the screening of a documentary titled The Rohingya Genocide. This film provided a brief history of the ongoing atrocities, persecution, ethnic cleansing, and genocide faced by the Rohingya people since August 2017.
Keynote speaker Imran Hussain MP emphasised the urgent need for international solidarity and humanitarian support. He stated, “The Rohingya are the most persecuted people in the world. The persecution did not start in 2017; it has been ongoing for many decades. Even now, after seven years, Rohingya continue to face brutal atrocities, including those perpetrated by the rebel Arakan Army (AA).” He called on the UK government and the international community to increase efforts to protect the Rohingya and highlighted the dire conditions faced by over a million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. “The international community has not done enough,” Hussain urged. “We must do more to effectively protect and support the Rohingya people both in Myanmar and Bangladesh.”
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe reaffirmed Bradford’s commitment to standing with the Rohingya. “As a city with a proud history of embracing diversity and supporting refugee communities, Bradford welcomes the Rohingya and stands in solidarity with them. Their resilience and hope inspire us all, and we are dedicated to amplifying their voices and raising awareness of their cause,” she said.
The event also featured a moving testimony from Nosaibah Khubybe, a young student from Bradford, who shared her personal connection to the genocide. Nosaibah recounted the recent wounding of her grandparents in an attack, highlighting the persistent danger faced by Rohingya families.
Today’s remembrance at Bradford City Hall served as a heartbreaking reminder of the enduring impact of the Rohingya genocide and the pressing need for continued global action. The Rohingya people not only deserve remembrance but also concrete steps towards justice, peace, and the restoration of their fundamental human rights to live in peace.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rohingya Centre UK (RCUK)
Email: info@rcuk.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 7475 237037