August 9, 2025
RHRC-The Rohingya people continue to face dire and escalating hardships both inside Myanmar’s Arakan region and in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Recent reports reveal increasing persecution by the Arakan Army, including forced displacement, property confiscation, extortion, and violence. These ongoing abuses threaten the survival and safety of an already vulnerable population.
Rohingya Trapped on Naf River Island
Hundreds of Rohingya women and children are currently trapped on the “Jalia Island” of the Naf River, located between Myanmar and Bangladesh. They have fled to escape the terrible persecution in Buthidaung town, which is under the control of the terrorist Arakan Army. The terrorist AA evicted Rohingya villagers in the Buthidaung area and resettled Rakhine there. The evicted families were forced to live in temporary tents on farmland near the “Nan Yar Kuni” village in Buthidaung, which is now completely uninhabitable due to the monsoon floods. Many Rohingya families, children and the elderly are mentally disturbed due to daily hardship and lack of food and medical care. The terrorist Arakan Army has built a human trafficking network to smuggle Rohingyas from Buthidaung to the Bangladesh border via Maungdaw. A family has to pay 1.5 million kyats to reach Maungdaw from Buthidaung and another 6.5 million kyats to reach Bangladesh. Hundreds of Rohingyas have been trafficked on this route.
AA Seizes Rohingya Property
Since August 1, 2025, the terrorist Arakan Army has been selling confiscated Rohingya property in Maungdaw city, Arakan, including motorcycles, solar panels, generators, and batteries. Over 5,000 bicycles confiscated from Maungdaw residents, worth between 20 and 10 million kyats, are also being sold. All these items originally belonged to Rohingyas whose property was seized during the genocide. The Arakan Army’s sale of confiscated property is part of their plan to eliminate the remaining Rohingya population and take full control of Arakan. Without immediate intervention, the remaining Rohingya face further genocide, and strict actions must be taken instead of continued diplomatic talks.
AA Extorts Money Rohingya Fishermen
The terrorist Arakan Army has started a new chapter of torture on Rohingya fishermen in Maungdaw, Arakan. From August 1, fishermen must give half of their entire catch to the Arakan Army to fish in the Naf River, which is extortion. At least 80 fishermen were gathered in Area 6 and required to submit their name, father’s name, address, and photo the day before fishing to get permission. In exchange, they must give half of their catch. A Rohingya fisherman said, “If we are not in their designated area, they have threatened to take action against us.” The Arakan Army gave fishermen phone numbers to report suspicious activity, threatening severe punishment if they don’t comply. Elderly Rohingyas said, taking half the catch means taking food away from families who rely on fishing as their last hop and this torture continues solely because they are Muslims.
Therefore, an urgent international attention and decisive action are needed to halt the rising action of violence and exploitation against the Rohingyas. Without immediate intervention, the Rohingya risks further suffering and potential eradication. The global community must unite to protect the rights and dignity of the Rohingya people.
