Rohingya civilians flee genocide. October 1, 2017. —Shoeb Faruquee / Alamy Stock Photo
Introduction
Rohingya civilians in Rakhine State, Burma, are facing targeted attacks from both the country’s military as well as the Arakan Army, a non-state armed group. The identity-based nature of the attacks raise serious alarms about renewed mass atrocity risks against the Rohingya community, which has suffered genocide and crimes against humanity at the hands of the military in recent years. An internet blackout, blockage of humanitarian assistance, and inability to flee compound the dangers facing the vulnerable community. Policy makers should use available tools to press armed groups to cease their attacks, facilitate communication and information gathering, and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Background
Burma’s military, now known as the State Administrative Council (SAC), has brutalized the people of Burma for decades. In 2016 and 2017, the military attacked Rohingya civilians in a genocidal campaign that drove approximately 800,000 people to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. The Rohingya who remained in Burma continued to face longstanding persecution, insufficient assistance to heal the harm they endured, and the threat of future attack.C), has brutalized the people of Burma for decades. In 2016 and 2017, the military attacked Rohingya civilians in a genocidal campaign that drove approximately 800,000 people to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. The Rohingya who remained in Burma continued to face longstanding persecution, insufficient assistance to heal the harm they endured, and the threat of future attack.
After the military deposed civilian leaders in February 2021 and increased its violence against civilians across the country, groups across the country fought back. Last fall, armed opposition groups including the Arakan Army—a large and formidable non-state armed group with significant popular support among the Rakhine population—began making considerable battlefield gains against the SAC, which continued its pattern of targeting civilians.
Earlier this spring, the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide convened a group of experts to discuss scenarios that could place civilians in Burma at new or increased risk of mass atrocity. Some themes of that conversation include the ongoing vulnerability of Rohingya communities given increased conflict between the Arakan Army and the SAC in Rakhine State, and the potential risks Rohingya and other minority communities may face if opposition groups were to make battlefield gains against the military. Participants noted that it remained uncertain whether ethnic armed organizations or other opposition groups would respect the rights of those under their territorial control, and if they would protect civilians of other ethnicities.
Escalating Risks to Rohingya Civilians
Rohingya civilians have faced attacks from the SAC and the Arakan Army for months. The events of the past few weeks in Rakhine State, where the SAC has battled the Arakan Army, raise new alarms. In mid-May, fighting intensified as the SAC baldly weaponized longstanding grievances between the Rakhine and Rohingya communities. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned, “This is a critical period when the risk of yet further atrocity crimes is particularly acute.” As the Arakan Army took control of the town of Buthidaung, witnesses reported mass killings of Rohingya civilians and widespread burning of homes, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee. Satellite imagery confirmed large scale burning in the town. The Arakan Army has denied culpability.
Witnesses cannot easily share information they may have, given a military-imposed internet blackout in Rakhine State. Restrictions on freedom of movement make communication even more difficult. Information that makes its way out is hard to immediately verify.
The future of the Rohingya community in Rakhine State remains uncertain. The latest reports of violence against Rohingya civilians spark fears of escalated attacks against a population with no viable option to remain or safely flee.
Potential Policy Responses
States can expand their efforts to protect the Rohingya community at this moment of heightened risk. Policymakers should dedicate resources to safe and accurate information gathering, including by dedicating resources to collecting their own intelligence about reported attacks in Rakhine State as well as increasing support to experienced civil society groups that are currently documenting mass atrocities. States, other donors, and international humanitarian organizations could seek ways to get necessary humanitarian assistance to Rohingya civilians in Rakhine State, including by pressing Bangladesh to facilitate cross-border aid. Finally, states—including the United States—should press the Arakan Army to ensure they protect civilians of all backgrounds in areas under their control.