“UN Rights Chief: Rohingyas Continue to Face Crimes and Discrimination in Myanmar”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has condemned ongoing atrocities against the Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, saying both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army are responsible for grave violations.

He stressed that ending impunity and ensuring the Rohingya’s rights to security, citizenship, and equality are essential to breaking the cycle of violence.

Since November 2023, the human rights and humanitarian situation in Rakhine has sharply deteriorated, worsening the already life-threatening conditions for the Rohingya. Amid a global funding crisis, Rohingya in both Myanmar and Bangladesh are enduring dire conditions, compounded by drastic cuts to food assistance.

Conflicts between the military and the Arakan Army have forced about 200,000 more Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh since 2023, with none able to return home. The Arakan Army now controls over 80% of Rakhine State, adding new dimensions to the crisis.

Türk described the atrocities as a “flagrant violation of international law,” noting that they also breach provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.

As the world marks the eighth anniversary of the August 2017 crackdown that forced over 750,000 Rohingya to flee, Türk urged the international community to increase humanitarian aid, ensure access to basic needs, and support accountability processes for justice.