December 19, 2025
RHRC-Rohingya communities across Myanmar and Bangladesh are facing an escalating humanitarian crisis marked by violence, forced payments, arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, and deadly migration routes. A series of incidents over recent weeks highlights the growing vulnerability of Rohingya civilians trapped amid conflict, discrimination, and lawlessness.
Rocket Blast Kills Rohingya Child in Sittwe
In Sittwe Township, Arakan State, tragedy struck on December 11 when a short range rocket fired by the Arakan Army exploded near a Myanmar Junta military camp close to Thet Kay Pyin village. The blast, which occurred around 1:30 pm, killed a Rohingya child instantly and critically injured another. Residents said the rocket detonated just before reaching the village, close to Rohingya homes. Community members described panic, shattered houses, and children living in constant fear as fighting between armed groups increasingly spills into civilian areas.
Junta Airstrike Bombs Hospital in Mrauk U
On December 10, a Myanmar Junta airstrike hit a public hospital in Mrauk U, killing at least 33 people and injuring 76 others. Two 500-pound bombs were reportedly dropped directly on the hospital building, where patients, caretakers, and medical staff were staying overnight. Among the dead were babies, women, hospital workers, and at least four Rohingya Muslims, including a two-year-old child. Human rights activists condemned the strike as a war crime, noting that the attack occurred on International Human Rights Day.
Rohingya Girl Raped in Nayapara Camp
Sexual violence also remains a grave concern. A young Rohingya girl was raped in Nayapara refugee camp on December 14, according to camp residents and community sources. The victim was taken to a hospital for urgent medical treatment and remains under care. Residents said the incident has deeply shocked the community and renewed fears about the safety of women and children inside the camp.
Costly Barriers to Citizenship for Rohingya
December 12, 2025, Muslim residents in Rakhine State say obtaining national registration cards and citizenship documents has become increasingly expensive due to widespread unofficial payments demanded by authorities. Rohingya community members in Sittwe report that applicants are often forced to pay far beyond official fees and are warned not to speak about the transactions. A general registration reportedly costs around 2,000,000 MMK, while fast track processing through a strict multi generation verification process can require payments of up to 150,000,000 MMK. Families also face extra costs to register children, including fees for recommendation letters even when both parents hold valid documents. Residents described a structured system of payments involving township, district, and state level officials, with amounts ranging from tens of thousands to several million kyat. Community members say these practices deepen discrimination, create fear, and place severe financial pressure on Rohingya families, making access to citizenship documents unequal and largely unreachable.
Fear Becomes Daily Life for Rohingya Civilians
Adding to political exclusion, Myanmar’s Union Election Commission announced on December 18 that voters without valid citizenship documents will be barred from voting in upcoming elections effectively disenfranchising most Rohingya, who are systematically denied citizenship.
Together, these incidents paint a grim picture of a community facing violence from all sides, airstrikes and shelling in Myanmar, forced labor and extortion under armed groups, insecurity and abuse in refugee camps, and death along migration routes. Rohingya families say fear has become part of daily life, as children, women, and civilians continue to pay the highest price for a crisis they did not choose.
