Burma GAP Act Mandates $9M Annually for Genocide Accountability and Creates New High-Level Policy Coordinator

The Burma Genocide Accountability and Protection Act, or the Burma GAP Act, is the U.S. government’s comprehensive plan to address the horrific situation facing the Rohingya people in Myanmar (Burma). This bill establishes a firm U.S. policy commitment to preventing genocide, holding the military junta accountable for crimes against humanity, and providing crucial support to the victims.

This isn't just a strongly worded letter; it’s a policy blueprint that puts specific diplomatic and financial muscle behind the goal. The bill authorizes $9 million annually from 2026 through 2030, specifically earmarked for justice efforts, including $5 million for investigations and transitional justice and $4 million for documenting atrocities using open-source evidence (SEC. 10). For busy people, this means the U.S. is not just talking about accountability; they are funding the forensic work needed to build cases against the perpetrators.

The New Diplomatic Quarterback

The most immediate structural change is the creation of a new, high-level diplomatic role: the Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma (SEC. 5). Think of this person as the dedicated, full-time quarterback for all U.S. policy in the region. Their job is massive: coordinate sanctions with allies like Japan and India, push for the release of political prisoners, and lead the international effort to restore civilian rule.

This role is crucial because it ensures policy doesn't drift. It centralizes the U.S. response, focusing on isolating the military junta until democracy is restored (SEC. 3). However, this Special Representative position is set to automatically end after five years (SEC. 5), which is a detail worth noting. If the crisis isn't resolved by then, the U.S. might lose this dedicated focus, potentially leading to policy instability.

From Refugee Camps to Citizenship

The bill mandates extensive support for the Rohingya people, addressing both immediate survival and long-term futures (SEC. 6, SEC. 7). On the humanitarian side, the U.S. must fund essentials like food, shelter, and healthcare, but also specialized programs to combat gender-based violence and human trafficking in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. They are also supporting education, including access to higher education opportunities for Rohingya refugees.

Crucially, the bill focuses on durable solutions. This means the U.S. policy will only support the return of Rohingya refugees when it is safe, voluntary, and includes the restoration of full, equal citizenship and formal recognition as an ethnic group in Burma (SEC. 6). For the Rohingya community, this is a commitment to fixing the root causes of persecution, not just patching up the humanitarian fallout. It involves consulting with Rohingya leaders—including women and civil society—to prepare for the eventual rebuilding of trust and governance structures in Rakhine state.

Funding the Fight for Justice

Accountability is baked into the policy (SEC. 8). The U.S. will actively support groups that are safely gathering and preserving evidence of these crimes, including working with defectors and survivors. This is about building a solid chain of evidence for future court cases, whether those are held in international or hybrid courts. Furthermore, the Secretary of State is tasked with encouraging an international fund to support reparations for victims and survivors.

This commitment to justice also requires the U.S. to engage with future civilian leaders in Burma to get them to officially acknowledge the military’s genocide and commit to systemic reforms—like purging the security sector and legislature—to ensure this never happens again. The goal is to make sure that when democracy returns, the Rohingya are included equally at all levels of government.