This week, history was made in the heart of Westminster. On 7th May 2025, the Rohingya Centre UK (RCUK) proudly led the Rohingya Lobby Day and Evening Reception in the UK Parliament, in partnership with long-standing ally Imran Hussain MP. The event brought together MPs, Rohingya survivors, human rights organisations, and community advocates, sending a united message:
“This is no longer the time for rhetoric. The Rohingya demand action — with their voices leading the way. This event was a powerful declaration of self-determination and a key milestone in RCUK ongoing campaign for justice, protection, and leadership driven by the Rohingya people themselves.”
A Community Rising from the Shadows
For over seven decades, the Rohingya have been forced to flee persecution, genocide, and statelessness. Today, nearly 1.5 million Rohingya live in crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, with no future, no freedom, and no rights. Many families have been torn apart — some are resettled in the UK, while others remain stuck in camps and scattered across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
As the crisis deepens and the international focus wanes, RCUK stood tall in the UK Parliament to remind the world:
We are not victims without agency. We are a people with dignity, resilience, and vision, and we demand to be part of the solution.
Parliament Heard Our Voices
Our delegation, which included genocide survivors from both refugee camps and Bradford, young advocates, and RCUK leaders, shared the true, unfiltered story of what it means to be Rohingya in exile.
“Children like me have no safety, no education, and no place to play. Life for us is hell, and it’s not our fault.” – Nosaibah, Rohingya girl from Bradford
These powerful words resonated deeply with MPs and human rights activists, inspiring many, including Christine Blower, Member of the House of Lords, and Elaine Pearson from Human Rights Watch, to commit to real action and accountability.
A Call to the UK Government
As the penholder on Myanmar at the UN Security Council, and the former colonial power that left the Rohingya question unresolved in 1948, Britain has a moral and legal duty to do more and protect the Rohingya people.
We call on the UK Government to:
• Lead in establishing a genuine Safe Zone in Arakan, before any return is discussed.
• Provide safe and legal pathways for Rohingya family reunification, along with a dedicated resettlement quota, ensuring a secure route to safety and dignity.
• Fund Rohingya-led education initiatives in camps and beyond.
• Include Rohingya representatives in all diplomatic and humanitarian decisions.
• Lead internationally to end impunity and advocate for lasting, rights-based political solutions.
“The message is clear: justice for the Rohingya cannot wait. We must do more, both globally and locally, to end the persecution and create a path to safe and dignified return. Bradford’s own Rohingya community reminds us that this crisis is not distant. It is urgent, and it is personal.” – Imran Hussain MP for Bradford East
“The Rohingya issue is not just an emergency; it’s a matter of human dignity. The movement in Parliament is a vital step in bringing urgent attention to our cause. We are calling for immediate action, with a clear vision for a future where justice, safety, and peace are no longer distant hopes for the Rohingya people. The UK must step up and take real leadership to end this prolonged crisis and the injustices continued faced by the Rohingya, particularly as we confront new atrocities committed by the Arakan Army against our community.” – Mohammed Amin, CEO of RCUK
What Comes Next?
RCUK is calling on governments, civil society, international organisations including United Nation, and all allies of justice to join our campaign. We ask:
- Work with us to shape UK foreign policy on Myanmar and the Rohingya.
- Amplify our message in the lead-up to the UN High-Level Conference on Rohingya and Minorities (30 Sept 2025, New York).
- Support our community-led initiative in education, healthcare, advocacy, and leadership.
- Recognise RCUK as the de facto Rohingya voice from the UK, rooted in lived experience and committed to solutions that thrive and permanent.
Together, we can break the cycle of silence. Together, we can ensure that justice is not just spoken but delivered.
Join the Conversation | Support the Cause | Partner with Us
Email: info@rcuk.org.uk
Phone: 07475 237037
Social Media: @WeAreRCUK
RCUK is the true voice of the Rohingya community in the UK, committed to justice, peace, and the rights of the Rohingya people. We invite you to support our mission, join the cause, and help shape the future of the Rohingya community.