02 September 2024

“The Rohingya Human Rights Initiative (R4R) held a press conference in Delhi on August 27, 2024, to bring attention to the ongoing struggles of the Rohingyas in Myanmar. The wounds from the genocidal attacks by Myanmar’s military in 2017 are still fresh, and now the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group, is inflicting further atrocities on the community in their fight against military oppression. R4R has urgently called for international intervention to protect and support the Rohingya community.”

A brief overview of the Rohingya Crisis

The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority group in Myanmar's Rakhine State, have faced severe persecution and atrocities in recent years. In August 2017, a major crackdown by the Myanmar military, described by the United Nations as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing," with genocidal intent led to widespread violence, including mass killings, rapes, and the destruction of entire villages. These actions forced over 30,000 killed and over a million displaced Rohingya to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh or other countries, where they now live in overcrowded refugee camps.

In 2024, the Rohingya community in Rakhine State, Myanmar, faced another wave of violence and atrocities. This time, the attacks were primarily carried out by the Arakan Army (AA), the Rakhine militant group. The violence resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Rohingya, with reports indicating that over 200 people died in a single incident when a boat carrying fleeing Rohingya was bombed. The conflict led to widespread displacement, with thousands of Rohingya forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh. The situation in Rakhine has deteriorated, with villages being burned and the AA engaging in what appears to be a systematic campaign of violence against the Rohingya, similar to the military's actions in 2017.

Rohingya Human Rights Initiative (ROHRIngya) organized a press conference at the Press Club of India on the 27thof August, 2024, to issue an urgent call to the international community in response to the intensifying cruelties and grave human rights abuses perpetrated against the Rohingya population in Rakhine State, Myanmar. The press conference featured ten distinguished Rohingya activists and international experts from various fields who provided detailed insights into the issue and expressed deep concern about the vulnerable situation of the Rohingya people in Arakan, as well as those who sought refuge in Bangladesh, India and other countries.

The first speaker of the day, Ali Johar, the director of education ROHRIngya, briefed how the horror of the August 2017 mass killing due to racial discrimination, dehumanization and “otherization of Rohingya” is yet to heal. Still, another wave of atrocities by AA and the Myanmar military junta is unveiling in front of us. Yet, again, the innocent Rohingyas are at the receiving end of violence and genocide. He criticised how AA is claiming itself to be a group for liberation but finishing an unfinished genocide started by the military junta.

Sabber Kyaw Min, the founder and director of ROHRIngya described the ground realities based on the first-hand information that they gathered and mentioned that the atrocities on the Rohingya community are closely being monitored. In the recent attack, at least 750 people were killed, including his relatives. ROHRIngya tried to communicate with the victims and managed to talk to a person who had lost 35 of his family members. As people were coming towards the Naf River to cross it and go to Bangladesh, air attacks by drones killed many. Based on eyewitness experiences, he described how women were gang raped and killed by Arakan Army. Hundreds of people were killed, and they even tried to destroy the evidence. And since Rohingyas in Myanmar have almost no access to sim cards, it is difficult to reach the news outside. With no proper communication, food, shelter, sanitation, or health facilities and constant fear of genocide, he called for a cease-fire. He mentioned the dire need for humanitarian aid and intervention. He urged the international community and UN security force to send troops immediately since we cannot trust the Myanmar govt. anymore.

The discussion was joined by the deputy minister of the country’s government in exile, Aung Kyaw Moe — a Rohingya who joined online from the US. Moe condemned the atrocities and said, “Anyone, regardless of their political ideology, who has committed atrocities, war crimes or genocide, we should ensure that… the perpetrators are held accountable. Just because they are our political allies doesn’t mean they should enjoy immunity.”

The co-founder of Free Rohingya Coalition, Mr. Nay San Lwin, said that “the current situation is far worse than in 2017” and called it “the worst humanitarian crisis”. He added, “On May 17, a large-scale force-displacement campaign in Buthidaung town resulted in over 200,000 displaced, and hundreds killed. Few took shelter in a school, and that shelter was also attacked, killing hundreds. AA also attacked the boats crossing the river, and many died by drowning”. He called for large-scale strict sanctions from Western governments and immediate actions to stop the atrocities.

Tanbirul Miraj Ripon, an independent journalist from Bangladesh, interviewed a few surviving people who reached the camps in Cox Bazar and revealed similar pictures of the cold-hearted mass killing of Rohingya by AA. He also highlighted how Bangladesh is now facing a new crisis, and the interim government has promised to work with sympathy towards the Rohingya issue. KP Fabian, former ambassador and Indian diplomat, appreciated what Bangladesh has done to handle the refugee crisis and appealed to other nations, including India, to do their part. John Quinley, director of Fortify Rights, also condemned the violence against Rohingyas and emphasized the need for immediate healthcare provisions for sick and wounded new refugees arriving in Bangladesh camps.

Rita Manchanda, research director of South Asia Forum for Human Rights, discussed what citizenship means and how “belonging to a state entitles someone the rights to have rights that the Rohingya community has been denied for decades”. She also criticised various acts of the Indian government concerning Rohingya issues, like not recognizing the identity card provided by UNHCR and cases of detention and illegal deportations. She raised concerns over increasing hate speeches and fake news about Rohingya refugees. 

Colin Gonsalves, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court, stressed the fact that although India did not sign the refugee convention, Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights to life and personal liberty to the Rohingya residing within Indian territory. He calls out to civil society to look out for the Rohingya and provide them with much-needed security and necessities. Lilianne Fan, a Malaysian advisory group member, also said there should be a discussion across regions. She said, “Conversation needs to continue.. and if anything we can do is talk about it”. She condemned the crime against Rohingya and criticized the Myanmar government for the institutional form of exclusion and marginalization of the community, leading to the mobilization of hatred and atrocities, war crimes and genocide.

But today, despite international condemnation and calls for justice, the Rohingya continue to face discrimination, statelessness, and violence in Myanmar, with little progress toward accountability for the atrocities committed against them. The situation remains one of the most pressing humanitarian crises globally, and it needs our attention and immediate action.

By the Rohingya Human Rights Initiative (ROHRIngya)