Today marks seven years since the Myanmar military launched a brutal campaign against the Rohingya people, which has killed nearly 7,000 civilians and has led to a mass exodus of Rohingya from Myanmar, including more than 740,000 to neighbouring Bangladesh. This follows decades of systemic discrimination, persecution, and denial of rights, which continue to this day.
Today, Rohingya are the largest stateless population in the world. Nearly one million Rohingya refugees reside in camps in Bangladesh, navigating the traumas of the past and hoping for a better future amidst challenging conditions. Canada remains grateful to the government and people of Bangladesh who continue to host them and reiterates its commitment to help support the rights and needs of refugees, as well as host communities in Cox's Bazar.
Canada remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and the devastating impacts of escalating conflict on Rohingya and other communities in Rakhine State. Recent reports of attacks on Rohingyas fleeing armed clashes in northern Rakhine are unacceptable and unjustifiable. Myanmar military forces have committed extrajudicial killings and widespread arson against Rohingya, and forcefully recruited Rohingya men and boys. The military continues its indiscriminate attacks using helicopter gunships, artillery, and ground assaults, with several airstrikes targeting civilians in Rakhine. Conditions in Myanmar do not permit the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees.
Since 2017, Canada has provided over $600 million in international assistance to help strengthen the resilience of at-risk and crisis-affected populations in Myanmar, as well as refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.
Canada has imposed nine rounds of targeted sanctions against individuals and entities associated with the military regime since the beginning of the Rohingya crisis in 2017, most recently on October 31, 2023, and December 8, 2023. Canada will continue to place pressure on the Myanmar regime, together with key partners.
Canada calls on all parties to the conflict to cease all hostilities and protect civilians, and reiterates the importance of access to safety for those fleeing violence. We stand ready to work with Bangladesh's new interim government, in collaboration with the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other key partners, towards dignified and durable solutions for the Rohingya people.
On this sombre anniversary, Canada commends the courage of Rohingya communities, in the face of continuing hardships, and calls for the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2669, which demands an immediate end to the violence. Canada remains committed to pursuing accountability for the perpetrators of these atrocities and justice for Rohingya survivors, families, and communities. Canada is intervening with others in the Rohingya genocide case at the International Court of Justice and supports other international accountability efforts. Canada stands with the people of Myanmar, including Rohingya, and will continue to support their desire for a democratic, peaceful and inclusive future.
