Guest contributor

Noor Azizah

As I stand on the global stage, sharing the stories of my people, I often reflect on the journey that has brought me here. My name is Noor Azizah, and I am proud to be a Rohingya woman, an advocate for Rohingya human rights, and a member of several international platforms focused on addressing the pressing issues faced by displaced communities globally. 

My work with the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network (RMCN) and my involvement in various initiatives at the United Nations are all driven by a shared purpose: to fight for justice, dignity, and the restoration of rights for the Rohingya people.

The Global Compact on Refugees

Since June 2019, I have been a member of the Gender Audit Team in collaboration with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Our mission, which started in 2017, focuses on integrating a gender perspective into the Global Compact on Refugees. 

By working closely with women from diverse refugee backgrounds, we aim to amplify the voices of those often overlooked, particularly regarding sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Our team meticulously documents and analyzes pledges made by states and actors, gathering insights that inform discussions and policies in high-level U.N. meetings. Our work is not just academic; it serves as a call to action for member states, U.N. agencies, and civil society to prioritize the needs and rights of women and girls in refugee contexts.

Advocacy at the Global Refugee Forum

In my role as a member of the UNHCR delegation representing Persons with Lived Experience of Forced Displacement and Statelessness, I am committed to influencing policy at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF). My work encompasses global, regional, and country levels, where I advise on pledge development, contribute to communication product design, and engage with key stakeholders across various platforms. Each interaction presents a vital opportunity to advocate for meaningful policy changes that directly impact displaced individuals. I specifically focus on pledges related to Gender-Based Violence, Statelessness, and Education, ensuring our collective efforts yield impactful outcomes.

I had the privilege of sharing the stage with actress and goodwill ambassador Cate Blanchett, where we discussed Rohingya statelessness and its consequences. Additionally, I spoke alongside UNHCR Commissioner Filippo Grandi at the closing plenary of the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. It highlighted the importance of meaningful refugee participation and what it entails.

At the heart of my advocacy is the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network (RMCN), where I serve as co-founder and director of advocacy, international relations, and women’s leadership. Our organization embodies the essence of what it means to be led by those who understand the struggles of forced displacement firsthand. We tackle critical issues affecting the Rohingya community, focusing on human rights, education, and SGBV. Our initiatives empower Rohingya women by addressing issues of SGBV through awareness campaigns, support programs, and advocacy for policy change.

Awareness and healing: Supporting women

In my role, I actively engage in strategic advocacy initiatives aimed at raising awareness of Rohingya human rights concerns on both national and international platforms. Our commitment to education is reflected in our implementation of impactful projects that enhance educational opportunities for Rohingya individuals, with a particular focus on promoting access to education for women. Through our translocal solidarity efforts, we strive to build connections, share knowledge, and create a global support network for the Rohingya community.

This year, I had the honor of speaking at the U.N. Human Rights Council alongside Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, where we addressed the crisis in Burma. During the 56th session of the Human Rights Council, I focused on the gendered impact of the Rohingya genocide, highlighting how genocidal rape has resulted in increased pregnancies and how this atrocity is spreading across Southeast Asia, particularly through the actions of boat captains involved in human trafficking. This discussion was part of the launch of the Special Rapporteur’s recent gender report.

I emphasized the urgent need for accountability mechanisms and urged the international community to reject the labeling of resistance groups, such as the Arakan (Rakhine) Army, as armed groups, given their involvement in killing Rohingya civilians.

Advisor for the Australian Refugee Advisory Panel 2024

In June 2024, I had the honor of serving as a refugee advisor on the Australian Refugee Advisory Panel, working alongside esteemed colleagues to support the Australian government delegation at the U.N. I participated in the Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways (CRCP), previously known as the Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement (ATCR). In this capacity, I accompanied the Australian government in bilateral meetings and delivered a keynote address on the current global crisis and the pressing resettlement needs faced by displaced communities.

In October 2024, I took the stage at the EXCOM in Geneva to address the devastating impact of the 1982 citizenship law, which has entrenched statelessness within my community, erasing our identity and denying us the dignity we deserve. Of the 2.8 million Rohingya dispersed worldwide, only one percent possess any form of identity. It is a painful reality that our deep-rooted connection to the region has been obscured by policies that label us as outsiders. However, through the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network (RMCN), we are pushing back, advocating for justice, dignity, and the restoration of our rights.

Statelessness has left us vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, stripped of legal protections in the regions where we are displaced. Without citizenship or legal recognition, we find ourselves in precarious situations. For instance, I spoke about a Rohingya father living in Malaysia who was arrested for riding a scooter without a license. Instead of receiving assistance or understanding, he faced harsh treatment at the hands of local authorities. The police not only detained him but also demanded money for his release, exploiting his lack of legal status. This incident exemplifies a broader pattern of discrimination and abuse that Rohingya face in Malaysia and other countries.

Expanding advocacy efforts beyond the UN 2024

I also visited the Australian consulate to speak about the harsh realities faced by the Rohingya people, emphasising the urgent need for accountability and action from the international community in light of the ongoing genocide against us. In my discussions, I highlighted our initiatives to combat gender-based violence and the crucial role women play in our advocacy efforts. Each conversation represents a vital opportunity to raise awareness and garner support for our cause, underscoring the necessity of restoring our rights and dignity as a people.

My advocacy efforts extend beyond the U.N. to various platforms, including the European Humanitarian Forum in March 2024, where I had the opportunity to engage in crucial discussions about the Rohingya crisis with UNHCR Commissioner Filippo Grandi and other decision makers in Brussels. These conversations are essential to ensure that the needs of displaced communities are not only acknowledged but also addressed with urgency and compassion. 

At the European Humanitarian Forum, I spoke alongside Commissioner Grandi about the ongoing genocide faced by the Rohingya people. As they flee to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, they encounter hate and xenophobia. In Malaysia, many face indefinite detention, and even children are arrested for escaping the horrors of genocide. Meanwhile, Indonesia has seen a disturbing rise in hate speech directed at the Rohingya. Through these discussions, we aim to bring to light the urgent challenges facing our community and advocate for meaningful action.

Amplifying the voices of the Rohingya community

In every meeting and presentation, I strive to elevate the voices of my Rohingya community. I don’t speak without concrete evidence; my insights are grounded in my visits to refugee camps and communities in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. I amplify the stories of those who are often unheard—mothers grieving for their lost children, women who have endured unspeakable violence, and a community that relentlessly fights for recognition and rights. I highlight the challenges we face, bringing attention to the alarming reality that more Rohingya now reside outside of Burma than within its borders. Through these narratives, I seek to represent those who cannot speak for themselves and shed light on their urgent plight.

Noor Azizah is the co-founder of the Rohingya Maiyafuinor Collaborative Network, a women-led, Rohingya-led, and refugee-led organization working on Rohingya human rights issues, SGBV, education, and translocal solidarity with a focus on women, peace, and security.

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