Rakhine State Violence Targets Rohingya

Rohingya civilians in Rakhine State are once more suffering from brutality, both from the Burmese military junta and from the Arakan Army. On Monday, October 10, reports indicate that two Rohingya women were raped by six AA soldiers in Northern Buthidaung. Two days earlier, a respected Rohingya teacher in nearby Guda Pyin Village was assassinated.

The increased violence and instability in Rakhine State also continues to endanger Rohingya (and others!) living near the border of Bangladesh. We note that Rohingya are still trying to escape from the crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, but are being arrested. Even refugees who survive the journey without arrest by one country or another face uncertainty and imprisonment in nations like India and Saudi Arabia.

Having met with them only a few weeks ago, we are glad to see members of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) publish solid recommendations for action and look forward to a longer report before the November ASEAN US Summit meeting in Washington DC.