TAKE ACTION!
URGE THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE A GENOCIDE DETERMINATION ON THE ROHINGYA

ASK YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE TO COSPONSOR THE ROHINGYA GENOCIDE DETERMINATION ACT
In September, Senators Markey, Merkley, Durbin and Cardin introduced a bill (S.4659), that would require the State Department to make a determination on whether crimes committed against the Rohingya amount to genocide. We applaud these four senators’ commitment to acknowledging the crimes against the Rohingya for what they are - genocide. On November 13, the House introduced a companion bill (H.R. 8744), led by Congressmen Levin, Chabot and Engel.

This legislation follows a campaign led by Refugees International, seeking a genocide determination by the State Department. The call to action featured a public petition, letters from legal experts, human rights organizations, faith organizations, members of Congress, celebrities, and Rohingya activists. More information can be found HERE.

TAKE ACTION:
1. Sign the online petitions for the House and Senate from International Campaign for the Rohingya.

2. Please call or email your senator today and ask them to cosponsor S.4659, the Rohingya Genocide Determination Act. You can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and a switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate office you request or find your senator’s contact information HERE.

Sample script:
Hello. My name is ____ and I am a constituent of Senator _____. I am calling today to ask Senator ____ to cosponsor S. 4569, the Rohingya Genocide Determination Act. The Rohingya have faced a systematic campaign of violence at the hands of the Burmese military for decades. The time is now for Congress to stand on the right side of history and with the Rohingya people. A designation would promote accountability, help to deter further atrocities, keep faith with the Rohingya people, and demonstrate U.S. leadership on this critical issue. Thank you.

In Oregon, Senator Wyden has not yet co-sponsored. You can call his office at 503-326-7525 and/or email Grace Stratton in his Portland office at Grace_Stratton@wyden.senate.gov

3. Please call or email your representative today and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 8744, the Rohingya Genocide Determination Act. You can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and a switchboard operator will connect you directly with the House office you request or find your senator’s contact information HERE.

Sample script:
Hello. My name is ____ and I am a constituent of Representative _____. I am calling today to ask Representative ____ to cosponsor H.R. 8744, the Rohingya Genocide Determination Act. The Rohingya have faced a systematic campaign of violence at the hands of the Burmese military for decades. The time is now for Congress to stand on the right side of history and with the Rohingya people. A designation would promote accountability, help to deter further atrocities, keep faith with the Rohingya people, and demonstrate U.S. leadership on this critical issue. Thank you.

Note: In Oregon, Representative Bonamici has co-sponsored. To contact other Oregon Representatives to ask them to co-sponsor, or to contact Rep. Bonamici to thank her, please see the contact info:
Bonamici: Call (503) 469-6010 and/or email Brenda Alvarado at Brenda.Alvarado@mail.house.gov (Say “thank you!”)
Blumenauer: Call (503) 231-2300 and/or email Anthony Montes at Anthony.Montes@mail.house.gov
Schrader: Call (503)-557-1324 and/or email John Serra at John.Serra@mail.house.gov
DeFazio: Call 541-465-6732 and/or email Dan Whelan at Dan.Whelan@mail.house.gov
Walden: Call (541) 389-4408