A child at a centre for internally displaced persons in Myanmar.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned today that fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army is intensifying, as well as tensions between the Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine, pose a serious threat to civilians. Türk sounded the alarm about the situation in Myanmar and said there was a high risk of a repeat of past abuses against the Roahings. "The alarm bell has been sounded and we must not allow a repeat of the mistakes of the past," he said. ”
Since the breakdown of a year-long informal ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the Arakan army last November, 15 of Rakhine State's 17 towns have been affected by fighting, killing and injuring hundreds of people and displacing more than 300,000 people.
"Rakhine State is once again a multi-stakeholder battleground, and civilians are paying a heavy price, especially for the Rohingya," Türk said. What is particularly troubling is the fact that in 2017, the Rohingya were only targeted by a group, and now they are trapped between two armed factions that have killed the Rohingya. We must not allow them to be targeted again. ”
The existential crisis for civilians has intensified
The Burmese military's retreat across northern and central Rakhine State has led to intensifying fighting in the towns of Budidang and Maungdaw, and the battle for Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, is expected to begin, putting the large number of Rohingya living in the two townships at greater risk.
On 15 April, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) burned down its offices and pharmacy in Budidaun, as well as some 200 houses. Hundreds of people have reportedly fled and taken refuge in a secondary school, abandoned hospitals and along roads in Budidang. With hospitals in Maungdaw and Budidang closed by the Myanmar military in March and escalating conflicts, there is virtually no medical care in northern Rakhine State.
Forced conscription is unconscionable
Faced with defeat, the Myanmar military began forcibly recruiting, bribing and coercing Rohingya into their ranks. "Given the appalling events of six years ago and the current extreme discrimination against the Rohingya, including the denial of citizenship, it is unconscionable to target them for conscription in this way," Türk said. ”
Some reports say the military forced Rohingya recruits or villagers to burn down Rakhine houses, buildings, and villages. Rakhine villagers are also said to have retaliated by burning Rohingya villages. The UN Human Rights Office is verifying all reports received, but this has been complicated by the disruption of communications across the state.
False propaganda fuels atrocities
Disinformation and propaganda also abound, Türk noted, citing claims that "Islamic terrorists" are taking Hindus and Buddhists hostage. "It is this hateful narrative that fueled the inter-communal violence in 2012 and the horrific atrocities against the Rohingya in 2017," he said. ”
Since the beginning of the year, the Myanmar military has been manning Rohingya villages in and around them, effectively provoking military attacks on Rohingya civilians.
