JCRC’s Human Rights Policy Engagement
In January, JCRC welcomed Amber Maze to our professional team as Holocaust Educator and Human Rights Associate. Formerly with the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis and CANDLES Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Amber will continue implementing a dynamic range of Holocaust-related programming and education for both the Jewish and general communities, including teachers and students. Additionally, Amber’s education and coalition building work around human rights advocacy and mass atrocity prevention will help people put into action what “Never Again” looks like in the 21st century.
JCRC’s Current Human Rights Updates
Rohingya Genocide Determination Act
JCRC continues to support the Rohingya people by advocating for the reintroduction of the Rohingya Genocide Determination Act and the Burma Human Rights and Freedom Act, as well as continued targeted sanctions against military leaders and corporations who already or seek to engage in business with the Burmese military.. After the military coup in Myanmar, the likelihood of repatriation of the Rohingya to mainland Myanmar and ending the genocide has decreased significantly, making the Burma Human Rights and Freedom Act even more critical.
Uyghur
The Uyghur are an ethnic Turkic-Muslim minority who mainly reside in the Xinjiang province of China. Since 2016, the Chinese Communist Party has waged a campaign of oppression and human rights violations, including forced labor, state-sanctioned rape, and cultural decimation. On January 19, 2021, the State Department issued a determination of atrocities that amounted to genocide. JCRC is working alongside national human rights organizations, inside and outside of the Jewish community, to raise public awareness about the Uyghur genocide. Indiana’s Congressional delegation is leading many of these efforts, including championing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
