The plight of Myanmar’s Rohingya minority has once again captured global attention as violence escalates in Rakhine State. The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) has sounded the alarm, describing the situation as an intensifying genocide amid ongoing clashes between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army (AA). This conflict has trapped tens of thousands of Rohingya in a perilous situation with limited means of escape. Historically marginalized and considered outsiders by Myanmar’s authorities and many local Buddhists, the Rohingya have endured decades of persecution. The current crisis in Rakhine State, exacerbated by the AA’s fight for regional autonomy and Myanmar’s military response, has left Rohingya communities particularly vulnerable. The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) recently condemned the looting and burning of its food stores in Maungdaw, underscoring the dire humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
BROUK’s latest report highlights the dire conditions faced by the remaining Rohingya population in Rakhine, estimated at 600,000. They are subject to systematic deprivation of essential resources such as food, water, shelter, and medical care, constituting what the rights group calls a “slow death.” The military’s tactics reportedly include forced recruitment of Rohingya, including children, for frontline combat against the AA, further endangering civilian lives.
Both sides in the conflict have been accused of committing atrocities classified as war crimes under international law, including murder, torture, sexual violence, and deliberate attacks on civilians. Despite these grave allegations and the ongoing International Court of Justice (ICJ) case concerning the 2017 Rohingya genocide, global responses have been criticized as insufficient.
The international community’s failure to protect Rohingya civilians has resulted in hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths in recent months alone. Approximately 200,000 internally displaced Rohingya urgently require humanitarian aid, while another 11,000, including many children, are trapped near Sittwe, surrounded by landmines and unable to flee the escalating violence.
BROUK has called for immediate action, urging the UN Security Council to convene openly to address Myanmar’s repeated violations of ICJ orders and the cycle of impunity. They propose potential referrals to the International Criminal Court or the establishment of an ad hoc international tribunal to ensure accountability for crimes committed against the Rohingya.
Tun Khin, president of BROUK, criticized the Security Council’s inaction over the past 12 years, arguing that it sends a dangerous message to authoritarian regimes globally. He emphasized that the Rohingya genocide was preventable and continues due to ongoing international neglect.
The recent escalation in Rakhine has forced approximately 45,000 Rohingya to flee to the Bangladesh border, according to the UN, amidst reports of arson attacks on Rohingya villages and allegations of beheadings by the AA. The WFP reported that its access to humanitarian aid in Maungdaw was cut off in late May, leading to the looting and burning of its warehouse holding emergency food supplies. The destruction of humanitarian facilities and assets not only exacerbates the humanitarian crisis but also violates International Humanitarian Law, which mandates the protection of such facilities during conflicts. The WFP has urged all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and ensure safe access for humanitarian aid delivery to those in urgent need. As the situation in Rakhine deteriorates, the international community faces renewed calls to act decisively to protect Rohingya civilians and hold accountable those responsible for atrocities. The BROUK’s plea for intervention underscores the urgency of addressing Myanmar’s human rights abuses and preventing further escalation of violence against the Rohingya minority.
The ongoing conflict in Rakhine poses a severe threat to the Rohingya population, demanding immediate and concerted international action to avert further humanitarian catastrophe and uphold justice for the victims of atrocities.
