Rohingya Face New Oppression as UN Considers Repatriation

Rohingya communities in myanmar’s northern Rakhine State are enduring forced labor, a worsening food and health crisis, severe movement restrictions, and escalating armed conflict, Amnesty International warned today, cautioning against premature decisions to repatriate refugees from Bangladesh.

Tomorrow, the UN General Assembly will convene a High-level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar, aiming to formulate a plan for the return of the over one million Rohingya refugees currently in bangladesh, many of whom were violently displaced by the military in 2016 and 2017.

Amnesty International’s recent interviews with 15 Rohingya refugees who arrived in bangladesh as recently as July 2025 – from Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships, both previously held by the Myanmar military and now under Arakan Army control – alongside consultations with UN agencies, diplomats, researchers, and humanitarian organizations, paint a grim picture. Meetings were also held with representatives from the Arakan Army’s political and humanitarian wings,the United League of Arakan (ULA) and the Humanitarian and Growth Coordination Office (HDCO).

“Existing conditions in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine State are nowhere near ready for rohingya to return safely,” said amnesty International’s Myanmar Researcher, Joe Freeman. “The Arakan Army has, to many Rohingya, replaced the Myanmar military as their oppressor. The military are using Rohingya civilians as cannon fodder to fight against the Arakan Army, and Rohingya armed groups are launching new attacks into the territory.The dramatic reduction of US aid has further contributed to a humanitarian crisis in which supplies are scarce and prices are skyrocketing.”

Freeman stressed that while the UN conference is vital for highlighting the Rohingya crisis, any attempt to push for repatriation without addressing the dangers facing all communities – Rohingya, Rakhine, and other ethnic minorities in both Bangladesh and Myanmar – “could be catastrophic.”

‘This is not your country’

Northern Rakhine State is now largely controlled by the Arakan Army, while the Myanmar military retains control of the state capital, Sittwe, a crucial hub for aid and transportation.

The Arakan Army launched an offensive in November 2023, driving the military out of much of the northern state and now controls Myanmar’s entire border with Bangladesh.

Long-standing tensions between the ethnic Rakhine Buddhist population and the Rohingya Muslim population have been exploited by the Myanmar military, who have collaborated with Rohingya armed groups and forcibly recruited Rohingya civilians to fight against the Arakan Army.

caught between the two forces, Rohingya and Rakhine civilians face blocked humanitarian aid deliveries through Sittwe and deadly, indiscriminate air strikes. Earlier this month, a military air strike reportedly killed at least 19 Rakhine students.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya are internally displaced, and over 150,000 have fled to Bangladesh camps in the last 20 months, according to the UN refugee agency.

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US Calls on Arakan Army to Uphold Commitments to Rohingya Rights

The United States has urged the Arakan Army (AA) to ensure its stated commitments to inclusivity,justice,and accountability for the Rohingya community translate into tangible improvements on the ground in Myanmar. The call comes as the AA gains more control in rakhine State following recent conflicts.

Publication Date: 2025/09/29 11:00:01

Background on the Arakan army and Rohingya Crisis

The Arakan Army is a Rakhine ethnic armed institution in Myanmar fighting for greater autonomy for the Rakhine people. Rakhine State has been the site of intense conflict between the AA and the Myanmar military, as well as being the primary location of the persecution of the Rohingya, a muslim minority group.The Rohingya have faced decades of systematic discrimination, violence, and displacement, culminating in a large-scale exodus to Bangladesh in 2017 following a brutal military crackdown. Human Rights Watch details the extensive abuses suffered by the Rohingya.

The Rohingya’s Plight

The Rohingya are denied citizenship in Myanmar, rendering them stateless. They face restrictions on movement, access to education and healthcare, and other basic rights. The Myanmar government has long characterized the Rohingya as illegal immigrants, despite their centuries-long presence in the region. The United Nations has documented widespread human rights violations against the Rohingya,including killings,sexual violence,and arson.

US Concerns and the Arakan Army’s role

The US government,through State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller,has expressed cautious optimism regarding the Arakan Army’s public statements regarding the Rohingya. However, it has also emphasized the need for concrete action. Miller stated, “We welcome any steps by the Arakan Army to provide the Rohingya communities with long-denied rights, and we hope that their public commitments to inclusivity, justice and accountability match the situation on the ground. They must avoid presenting one face to the international community and another to the Rohingya.”

This statement reflects concerns that the AA, while potentially offering a different approach than the previous military regime, may not fully address the Rohingya’s grievances or protect their rights. The US is urging the AA to demonstrate a genuine commitment to inclusivity and justice, rather than simply replacing one form of oppression with another.

AA’s Recent Gains and Potential Impact

Recent clashes between the AA and the Myanmar military have resulted in the AA gaining control over critically important territory in Rakhine State. Reuters reported on the AA’s territorial gains in early 2024. This shift in power dynamics presents both opportunities and risks for the Rohingya. The AA could potentially offer greater protection and access to rights, but it could also perpetuate existing patterns of discrimination and marginalization.

Key Takeaways

• The US is cautiously optimistic about the Arakan Army’s stated commitments to the Rohingya.
• The US is urging the AA to translate its words into concrete actions that improve the lives of the rohingya.
• The AA’s recent territorial gains in Rakhine State create both opportunities and risks for the Rohingya community.
• The Rohingya continue to face systemic discrimination and denial of basic rights in Myanmar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who are the Rohingya?

The Rohingya are an ethnic minority group residing primarily in Rakhine State, Myanmar. They are predominantly Muslim and have faced decades of persecution and discrimination.

what is the Arakan Army?

The Arakan Army is a Rakhine ethnic armed organization fighting for greater autonomy for the Rakhine people in Myanmar.