This story contains graphic content and viewers discretion is advised.
This current wave of extreme violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar is not the first one. Successive violent crackdowns have taken place since 1978 with systematic mass exodus. This is however the first large-scale crackdown under a democratically elected government in Myanmar. Widespread killings, torture, disproportionate retaliation attacks turn to mayhem of ethnic cleansing evolving into genocide.
During the past several years, David has been documenting the plight of the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority by capturing their dire everyday life, portraying them as human beings deprived of their social, civil and human rights that are so often taken for granted in our society.
Throughout, the access to Rakhine state for media and humanitarian actors has been extremely restricted and nearly impossible, as no witnesses of the denied barbarism are wanted.
"My intention is to document the violent ethnic cleansing campaigns turning into genocide while under the pretext of so called security operations by Myanmar forces."
In Bangladesh, traumatized victims and survivors who have endured the perilous way to the exile now face the ordeal of having lived through the genocide that is still not seeing an end.
Although a mass humanitarian and aid agencies activities are set on the spot, the situation in refugee camps remains extremely precarious, especially for the victims of torture, women victims of mass rape and children who have endured and witnessed the same.
Because it is nearly impossible to collect evidence of the genocide in Rakhine itself, it is extremely important to document and collect testimonies of the victims and witnesses of these acts of crimes against the humanity.
By documenting their stories and making them available for a wider advised audience, journalists, human rights investigators and photographers can play an essential role in countering the "fake news" allegations branded by the Burmese authorities.
David's images are raising awareness and have already been used for various Rohingya causes by the Rohingya organisations, including the documentation for claims against war crimes.
-Write to you local Myanmar embassy or consulate condemning their treatment of the Rohingya populations.
-Volunteer and donate to your local area Rohingya organisations. Google "Rohingya organisations (insert your location here)"
-Express your concern with international Human-rights organizations such as Amnesty international and Human-rights Watch. As well as your local foreign affairs department of government.
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