A Rohingya Umbrella Organisation in Europe

A common Rohingya platform in Europe

The European Rohingya Council (ERC) is a non-governmental Rohingya umbrella organisation based in Europe. It was created to bring together Rohingya experience, knowledge, advocacy and community leadership under a shared platform, enabling the Rohingya voice to be represented more effectively in Europe and internationally.

Europe is home to Rohingya individuals, families, community organisations, professionals, students, activists and advocates living in different countries. Their experiences may differ, but they remain connected by a common concern for the future of the Rohingya people. ERC seeks to strengthen that connection and to encourage cooperation, coordination and collective action around issues that affect Rohingya communities.

Representing Rohingya concerns

As an umbrella organisation, ERC works to ensure that the concerns and aspirations of Rohingya people are heard by European governments, institutions, civil society organisations, human rights bodies, humanitarian actors, academic institutions and the wider public. Its role is not limited to speaking about immediate humanitarian needs; it also addresses the long-term questions of rights, justice, citizenship, security, dignity and a sustainable future for the Rohingya people.

ERC also serves as a bridge between Rohingya communities in Europe and Rohingya people living in Arakan, refugee camps and other parts of the world. By maintaining these connections, the organisation seeks to keep international advocacy rooted in the realities faced by Rohingya communities themselves.

Unity through cooperation

One of ERC's central purposes is to strengthen unity and cooperation among Rohingya people and organisations. The Rohingya crisis is international in its consequences and cannot be addressed by isolated efforts alone. A coordinated approach allows communities to share knowledge, develop common priorities, support one another and present stronger positions on matters of collective importance.

ERC therefore encourages constructive cooperation among Rohingya organisations and individuals in Europe and beyond. It seeks to create space for dialogue, participation and collective responsibility while respecting the diversity of views, professional backgrounds and experiences within the Rohingya community.

European presence, global responsibility

Although ERC is a European-based organisation, its responsibility extends beyond Europe. The organisation's stated purpose is to work for the benefit of Rohingya people in Arakan State, Burma (Myanmar), in Europe in particular, and Rohingya communities around the world in general.

This European presence gives ERC opportunities to engage with democratic institutions, policymakers, human rights organisations and international partners, while its Rohingya identity keeps its work centred on the community it represents. In this way, ERC seeks to combine European advocacy opportunities with a broader responsibility toward the survival, rights, empowerment and future of the Rohingya people.

Working for a stronger Rohingya voice

ERC's role as an umbrella organisation is ultimately about strengthening the ability of Rohingya people to speak with confidence, organise effectively and participate in decisions affecting their future. Through advocacy, cooperation, education, community engagement and international outreach, ERC works to help ensure that Rohingya voices are not excluded from discussions about their rights, their homeland and their future.