Who We Are

The Rohingya Justice Initiative (RJI) is the only Rohingya-led initiative that investigates and documents grave human rights violations committed against Rohingya survivors.

Founded on April 16, 2023, RJI consists of representatives from seven community-based organizations in the Cox's Bazar refugee camps. Our members are dedicated survival-focused human rights defenders who have been working since the 2017 genocidal campaign.

Our Story

The roots of RJI go back to 2017 when the Myanmar military launched a brutal campaign against the Rohingya people. In response, a group of dedicated community leaders began documenting the atrocities to ensure that the truth would never be forgotten.

Recognizing the need for a unified, professional, and survivor-led approach, representatives from seven organizations joined forces to create the Rohingya Justice Initiative. We have since partnered with international legal experts and human rights organizations to bring the voices of survivors to the highest halls of justice.

Today, RJI stands as a bridge between the refugee camps and international mechanisms like the ICJ and ICC, ensuring that the quest for justice is led by those who suffered most.

Truth Telling & Memorization

RJI is committed to preserving the memory of the Rohingya people — ensuring that testimonies of survivors are recorded, protected, and heard by the world....

Oral Testimony

Recording first-hand survivor accounts to create a permanent archive of lived experiences and evidence of atrocities...

Memorial Documentation

Preserving records of victims and their stories so that the memory of those lost in the 2017 genocide is never erased.

Community Memory

Sharing cultural heritage, traditions, and stories across generations to sustain Rohingya identity in exile.

Legal Evidence

Transforming survivor testimonies into verified, legally admissible documentation for use in international justice mechanisms.

Our Approach

RJI applies a survivor-led, victim-centered approach to documentation, ensuring all evidence collected meets international legal standards while prioritizing the safety and dignity of the survivors.

Truth Telling & Memorialization

Operating the interactive Rohingya Genocide Museum to preserve testimonies, cultural heritage, and artifacts permanently for future generations.

Human Rights Documentation

Investigate and document grave human rights violations in Arakan State, Myanmar. Over 1,000 testimonies collected using victim-centered approaches.

Legal Advocacy

Assist ICJ and ICC legal teams. Serve as bridge between Rohingya victims and international justice mechanisms.

Victim Support

Provide humanitarian assistance, protection, and psycho-social support to victims and witnesses.

Training & Capacity

Train Rohingya documenters in professional human rights documentation and gender-sensitive interviewing.

Reparation

Advocate for comprehensive reparative justice and compensation for survivors and victims of the Rohingya genocide.

Global Advocacy

Engage in international advocacy across UN platforms, state parties, and civil society to secure long-term justice.

Our Team

Our team consists of dedicated Rohingya human rights defenders, legal experts, and community leaders working together to ensure justice and accountability.

Sayedul Karim

Sayedul Karim

Founder & President

Chief executive responsible for overall initiative direction...

Bio
Nur Hakim

Nur Hakim

General Secretary

Leads coordination with all committees...

Bio
Minara

Minara

Organizing Secretary

Coordinates events and meetings...

Bio
To Be Announced

To Be Announced

Advisory Board Member

An internationally recognized expert in international criminal law and human rights documentation. Joining RJI soon.

Bio

Interested in contributing to our mission?

Join Us Now

Frequently Asked Questions

RJI is a Rohingya-led human rights initiative dedicated to documenting grave human rights violations committed against the Rohingya people and supporting international justice efforts. It is composed of trained Rohingya documenters and community leaders, working collaboratively through an elected structure.
RJI documents international crimes affecting Rohingya victims and witnesses in the refugee camps in Bangladesh and in Myanmar's Arakan State. Our approach prioritizes inclusion of women, girls, people with disabilities, and gender-diverse community members, recognizing the unique vulnerabilities each group faces.
RJI conducts survivor-centred human rights documentation, supports victims and witnesses, collaborates with international justice bodies, provides community education, and leads truth-telling and memorialisation initiatives. We also train new documenters, carry out advocacy, and maintain secure systems for storing and managing testimonies and evidence.
RJI uses a survivor-centred, trauma-informed approach grounded in internationally recognised documentation standards. Trained Rohingya documenters conduct interviews using event-based methodology — identifying victims, perpetrators, locations, and timelines — while securing informed consent and considering mitigating re-traumatisation.
RJI has documented over 1,000 testimonies since 2021, recognized by international partners including the ICC, IIMM, and legal teams before the ICJ for their quality and comprehensiveness.
RJI collaborates with several international justice mechanisms and legal teams, including:
International Court of Justice (ICJ) — including the legal counsel for The Gambia in its genocide case against Myanmar
International Criminal Court (ICC) — sharing expertise and documentation with the ICC Prosecutor
UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) — providing testimonies and community access
Throughout the documentation process, RJI provides psychosocial support, safety measures, and reparative measures for victims, witnesses, and their families. RJI also ensures that survivors remain informed about legal proceedings that affect them.
RJI operates under a clear ethical framework requiring all members to uphold impartiality, confidentiality, honesty, non-discrimination, and responsible use of organizational resources. Do-no-harm principles and informed consent are embedded in all documentation activities.
RJI welcomes volunteers, members, interns, experts, advisers, and researchers committed to human rights, impartiality, and community service. To apply, send your cover letter and CV to application@therji.org, or fill in the application form on our website. Please include your name, the role you're applying for, a brief explanation of your interest, and any relevant experience.
Yes, RJI is legally incorporated in Canada.