We are delighted to announce that “Shanti Mohila”, a Rohingya women-led entity based in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, has been honored with the title of Raphael Lemkin Champion of Prevention as part of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime on December 9 2023. This prestigious recognition, bestowed by the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, highlights Shanti Mohila’s exceptional efforts in advocating for justice for the Rohingya community. Their work embodies the spirit of the Genocide Convention, demonstrating the crucial role of grassroots efforts in preventing atrocities and preserving human dignity.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Shanti Mohila and all those recognized as Champions of Prevention for their invaluable contributions to promoting a culture of peace and non-violence.

Legal Action Worldwide is honored to have been working with the Shanti Mohila since 2018 on legal processes to hold accountable the perpetrators of horrific crimes against Rohingya in Myanmar, with the survivors at the very heart of it. The lifeline of LAW’s work here in Cox’s Bazar – across the board – is the network of volunteers – the survivor advocates, majority of whom are women – the Shanti Mohila. Shanti Mohila are a network of 400 Rohingya women, dedicated to advocating for accountability for the serious international crimes that were perpetrated in Myanmar. 38 of them volunteer with LAW as female survivor advocates, supports survivors who faced sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Myanmar to be able to participate in, and contribute towards ongoing international justice and accountability processes. Starting with actively engaging in sharing information and the resources we prepare, with the community for a better outreach to conducting information sessions in the camps to raise community awareness about ongoing international justice and accountability efforts for the Rohingya – Shanti Mohila plays a crucial role across all pillars of LAW’s Rohingya Crisis programme. Additionally, they provide valuable input in legal and research endeavors through identifying participants, onboarding them in the research process, accompanying them during interviews and providing referrals for additional support. As survivors themselves, they understand the challenges, including societal stigma, fear of retaliation, the psychosocial needs due to the ongoing trauma, and the complexity of providing evidence. Thus, they have dedicated years to building trust with other survivors, ensuring that participation becomes more accessible for them. This approach ensures a relationship of trust with the survivors, enabling us to seek their informed consent for the research. The Shanti Mohila also offer peer support to participants ensuring that community-based research to build analytical body of evidence are conducted in a responsible and survivor-centric approach. Moreover, LAW supports the Shanti Mohila in sharing their statements and requests with international actors. This includes their participation in events such as Human Rights Council sessions and global campaigns relevant to their cause. Our team on the ground works closely with the survivors and witnesses to understand their priorities, concerns, and empower them to participate in the ongoing international justice process in a meaningful way. This has been possible only because of Shanti Mohila’s unwavering commitment to seek justice for their community.

Visit the 2023 Champions of Prevention virtual photo exhibition organized by the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide of UN here.