November 29, 2016 - December 6, 2016
CSO Event
Myanmar recognizes 135 ethnic groups within its borders. But what about the people who constitute No. 136? They are the non-existent people, those who must not be named.
Nov 29 – Dec 6
Myanmar recognizes 135 ethnic groups within its borders. But what about the people who constitute No. 136? They are the non-existent people, those who must not be named.
This compelling photography project by award-winning “photo activist” Saiful Huq Omi from documents the lives of Rohingya men, women, and children from Myanmar. For more than four decades, the Rohingya—a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine State—have faced widespread and systematic human rights violations. In a 2015 legal analysis prepared for Fortify Rights, the Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic at Yale Law School found “strong evidence” that the government of Myanmar is responsible for genocide against Rohingya Muslims. Saiful Huq Omi has worked with Rohingya families since 2009, photographing their lives extensively in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom.
The exhibition is a joint project between Counter Foto, Equal Rights Trust, and Fortify Rights. The exhibition captures the hardship faced by Rohingya, particularly those who have fled to Bangladesh and Malaysia. It documents their perilous journey by sea and depicts life for those living in and outside official U.N.-operated refugee camps in Bangladesh. Intimate, rare images from the camps highlight Rohingya hardships as well as the different sentiments between Rohingya adults and children towards their temporary shelters in Bangladesh. The exhibition also portrays the exploitation and dangerous working conditions Rohingya face as a consequence of their statelessness. Finally, images from Rohingya families who have resettled in Bradford, U.K. tell a different story. Living in a completely different environment, Rohingya children born in the U.K. were able to gain rights and citizenship and integrate into society, but not without complex, mixed emotions.
The event will take place at:
When: Opening night November 29, 2016, 6pm – 9:00pm.
Exhibition will be showcased from November 29 to December 6, 2016.
Where: Hof Art Bangkok
290-288, 1599 Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. Five mintute walk from BTS Phra Khanong
Featured Speakers:
- Mr. Saiful Huq Omi, ward-winning photographer, Managing Director, Counter Foto
- Ms. Amy Smith, co-founder and Executive Director, Fortify Rights
- Ms. Angkhana Neelapaichit, National Human Rights Commissioner Thailand
For additional information, please contact:
John Quinley III, Associate Human Rights Specialist, Fortify Rights, email: [email protected]
Further Contact
For additional information, please contact:
John Quinley III, Associate Human Rights Specialist, Fortify Rights, email: [email protected]
