International Action Needed Following Military Airstrikes in Rakhine State. Arakan Army Must End Arbitrary Detentions.

 Media Release from Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK

 For immediate release 12 September 2024

 The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) strongly condemns the Burmese military’s recent airstrikes in Rakhine State, which have killed at least 70 people, including civilians, prisoners, and junta troops held in captivity. On September 8 and 9, junta jets targeted Arakan Army (AA) detention facilities in Pauktaw and Maungdaw townships, killing scores of people. The airstrikes are part of an escalating pattern of indiscriminate violence by the junta, which continues to target vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and even its own defeated soldiers in an attempt to regain lost territory.

“The Burmese junta’s airstrikes on civilian areas and detention centers are war crimes that further expose the military’s complete disregard for human life,” said Tun Khin, President of BROUK. “These brutal attacks are an attempt to terrorise communities in Rakhine State, including Rohingya civilians. The international community must act now to prevent further atrocities and hold the junta accountable.”

No new significant efforts are being made to cut off the supply of jet fuel, arms, equipment and revenue to the military, and no action has been taken in response to the Burmese military violating provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.

BROUK is equally alarmed by the conduct of the Arakan Army, which continues to hold civilians, including Rohingya, in its detention facilities. The practice of holding civilians arbitrarily in places which are unsafe must end.  Such practices not only violate international humanitarian law but also compound the suffering of vulnerable populations caught in the conflict.

“The Arakan Army’s arbitrary detention of civilians is unacceptable and must end immediately,” added Tun Khin. “The Arakan Army’s own actions, including attacks on fleeing Rohingya civilians, have contributed to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in northern Rakhine State. The international community must speak out and hold all perpetrators accountable. Silence on Arakan Army abuses encourages a sense of impunity and further abuses.”

The humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State continues to worsen due to the violent tactics of both the Burmese military and armed groups like the Arakan Army. On August 5, 2024, up to 200 Rohingya men, women, and children fleeing violence in Maungdaw were killed by the Arakan Army while trying to cross the Naf River into the relative safety of Bangladesh.

BROUK calls on all states to take immediate and concrete steps to end impunity for the Burmese military, including targeted sanctions, an arms embargo, and robust international support for ongoing justice initiatives. The international community must act swiftly to protect civilians, halt the junta’s access to resources that fuel their war machine, and ensure accountability for all parties responsible for violating international law.

For more information, contact Tun Khin, President of BROUK at +44 788 871 4866