Bradford, United Kingdom – The Rohingya Centre UK (RCUK) successfully hosted the Justice & Accountability Dialogue & Rohingya Community Reception and Iftar on 6 March 2026 at the Banqueting Hall, City Hall, Bradford. The event brought together Rohingya community members, civil society organisations, parliamentarians, educators, faith leaders, and international justice partners to discuss justice, accountability, and the long-term resilience of the Rohingya people.
RCUK welcomed the delegation from the United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), including Mr Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Mechanism, and Ms Kaoru Okuizumi, Deputy Head. Mr Koumjian outlined the Mechanism’s mandate from the UN Human Rights Council to collect and preserve evidence of serious international crimes committed in Myanmar since 2011.
He provided updates on key judicial processes currently underway:
- Argentina: Investigation resulting in arrest warrants for 25 individuals responsible for crimes against the Rohingya.
- International Criminal Court (ICC): Evidence submitted to support arrest warrant requests against Myanmar military leadership.
- International Court of Justice (ICJ): Case filed by Gambia under the Genocide Convention, with oral hearings held in January 2026 and a decision expected later this year.
Mr Koumjian also highlighted ongoing resource and financial challenges facing the Mechanism. RCUK called on the UK Government, including relevant partners, to continue supporting IIMM’s work, ensuring thorough, independent investigations and sustained international accountability.
Dr Mohammed Khubybe, Chief Operating Officer of RCUK, delivered the keynote address, emphasising that the Rohingya crisis is a political issue, driven by decades of systemic discrimination, persecution, and the 2017 genocidal campaign, rather than solely a humanitarian emergency. He noted that meaningful justice requires credible evidence, accountability mechanisms, and legal processes to prevent impunity. He also highlighted the importance of justice and opportunity for Rohingya children and families so that future conditions may allow for safe and dignified return to their homeland.
Imran Hussain MP recognised Bradford as a city of sanctuary and highlighted the global significance of IIMM’s work. He reaffirmed his commitment to international justice processes, stressing that perpetrators of genocide, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing must be held accountable.
Hazel Danson, National Treasurer of the National Education Union (NEU), outlined support for Rohingya-led education initiatives, including ongoing funding, teacher recruitment and training in refugee camps. The partnership aims to enable Rohingya educators to lead the education of their own children in a sustainable and meaningful way.
The evening also featured:
- Rohingya Photo Exhibition, showcasing the history, culture, and lived experiences of the Rohingya people, highlighting resilience and preserving cultural heritage.
- The programme was hosted by Fatima Mahmood from the Race Equality Network.
- Qur’an recitation by Essa Saho, Madrasah Teacher
- Civil society perspectives from Deen Mohammed Noori, Chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Organisation UK
- Youth perspectives from young Rohingya community members
- Opening Iftar and Dua led by Dr Qader Khan, Teacher at Umm Ul Qura Islamic Centre, Bradford
The programme concluded with closing remarks from Mohammed Amin, CEO of RCUK, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to sustainable, community-led systems in education, social support, and governance. He stressed the importance of empowering Rohingya-led initiatives in education, social support, and governance, enabling communities to build long-term resilience and manage their own future beyond short-term humanitarian aid.
“This event shows the resilience and agency of the Rohingya community and the importance of international partnerships in supporting justice and accountability,” said Mohammed Amin. “We call on the UK Government to continue supporting IIMM’s essential work and to empower Rohingya-led initiatives that deliver lasting impact. The Rohingya crisis is political; sustainable solutions require political engagement, global solidarity, and enabling directly our communities to secure their own future.”
For media enquiries, please contact:
Email: info@rcuk.org.uk
Phone: +44 7476 003364
About RCUK:
The Rohingya Centre UK (RCUK) is a Rohingya-led organisation advancing the rights, dignity, and resilience of the Rohingya people. RCUK delivers sustainable, community-led initiatives in education, social support, governance, and advocacy, while fostering international partnerships to promote justice, accountability, and long-term empowerment for Rohingya communities.