November 9, 2026

Standing Firm for Inclusive Protection: Stop the Renewed Attacks on Rohingya LGBTIQ Individuals and Women Human Rights Defenders

Over 10 months ago, we explicitly raised our voices to demand inclusive protection for all Rohingya people—including LGBTIQ individuals and the brave Rohingya women activists who advocate alongside them.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing a dangerous resurgence of hostile narratives targeting these exact groups once again. Attempting to erase, scapegoat, or incite hatred against LGBTIQ Rohingya individuals and targeting women human rights defenders under the guise of protecting religious or cultural values is unacceptable and fundamentally violates global human rights principles.
We must reiterate and stand firm on these core principles:
🔹 Human Rights are Universal: Every single Rohingya—regardless of gender identity, expression, or sexual orientation—is an integral part of our community’s collective struggle for justice, dignity, and survival.
🔹 Women HRDs Must Be Protected: The tireless advocacy of Rohingya women leaders on international stages provides vital visibility for our entire population. Attacking, shaming, or threatening them undermines our entire cause.
🔹 Inclusion Does Not Threaten Faith: Protecting vulnerable and marginalized individuals from violence, exclusion, and discrimination does not diminish anyone’s faith or culture. Instead, it embodies universal values of compassion, non-violence, and human dignity.
🔹 Heightened Vulnerability in Refugee Camps: LGBTIQ Rohingya individuals already endure double discrimination and extreme risks in humanitarian settings. Using religion to justify harm or exclusion leaves them at grave risk of violence.
Attacking vulnerable members of our own community and the activists who protect them damages the credibility of the Rohingya human rights movement globally. We cannot demand justice and human rights from the international community while denying them to our own people at home.
We urge everyone to reject hate speech, stop targeted harassment, and keep our advocacy rooted in empathy, safety, and inclusive human rights for ALL Rohingya.