US House attempts to appoint a special envoy for the Rohingya issue

On July 11th, the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee issued a statement on July 11 that the US House of Representatives is trying to pass a bill that includes elements to investigate and take action on the persecution and killing of the Rohingya and to appoint a special envoy to the US State Department.

Led by Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas, and Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York, the bill,  called the Rohingya GAP Act, was first submitted to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and approved by the committee.

Next, the bill must be voted on by all members of the House of Representatives, and if passed in the House of Representatives, it will become law after being approved by the Senate.

RFA English reports that this law has the support of lawmakers from both major parties in the United States.

The Rohingya GAP Act bill includes $10 million a year for five years to fund investigations into crimes committed against the Rohingya and to appoint a "special negotiator" at the U.S. State Department to respond to the persecution and killings of the Rohingya.

The Rohingya Special Officer appointed under this Act will investigate crimes related to the Rohingya. record keeping, Conducting lawsuits in courts, It must be done to assist in the various processes of witness protection, justice and accountability.

In addition, the bill also includes the creation of a "Myanmar Conflict Monitoring Group" to study and monitor the terrorist attacks in Myanmar and report to the parliament, and it also includes points to provide scholarships for the education of Rohingya refugees in the United States until 2030.

In addition, to support Rohingya civil society groups, It also includes elements for the Rohingya to participate in voluntary repatriation processes and to provide humanitarian aid.

The bill also requires the US State Department and USAID to provide Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh with adequate food and nutrition.

This Rohingya GAP Act is to protect the Rohingya. New York State Representative Gregory Meeks said in a statement that he hopes to get the bill passed by the House of Representatives as soon as possible to prevent the genocide from happening again.

"Two years ago, the U.S. State Department officially determined that the Myanmar military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya. "This decision not only recognizes the victims of the killings, but also calls for action," New York State Representative Gregory Meeks said in a statement.

"I urge all of my fellow lawmakers to support this bill to show the world that the US House of Representatives is not standing idly by when it comes to genocide," Texas Rep. Michael McCaul said at a House hearing last week.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) this bill. International Campaign for the Rohingya US Campaign for Burma, Burmese Rohingya movement groups, The statement released by the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee also stated that it has been encouraged and supported by human rights groups and genocide prevention groups.