HRW calls out Arakan Army for oppression of Rohingyas in Rakhine State

Mizzima

On 28 July, Human Rights Watch reported serious abuses by the Arakan Army against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, including movement restrictions, forced labor, and arbitrary arrests.

The text of HRW’s statement continues below.

The Arakan Army’s territorial gains in the state have been accompanied by movement restrictions, pillage, arbitrary detention, mistreatment, and unlawful forced labor and recruitment, among other abuses against the Rohingya. Myanmar’s military has long subjected the Rohingya to atrocity crimes, including the ongoing crime against humanity of apartheid.

“The Arakan Army is carrying out policies of oppression against the Rohingya similar to the those long imposed by the Myanmar military in Rakhine State,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The Arakan Army should end its discriminatory and abusive practices and comply with international law.”