Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organization in Malaysia (MERHROM) called for international community urgent action to stop genocidal attack against the ethnic Rohingya in Arakan state now Rakhine state in Myanmar by the Arakan army (AA). On August 5, 2024, at least 200 Rohingya from the downtown area of Maungdaw Township in Rakhine State were killed by the Arakan Army (AA) on their way to flee to Bangladesh. They were targeted by the Arakan Army (AA) by drone bombs and fired artillery. The 200 Rohingya civilians including children, women, and the elderly were brutally killed while many others were injured.
The information we received today stated an increasing number of deaths. Currently they cannot escape due to fear of their safety. According to the Rohingya, they made attempts to enter Bangladesh but the Bangladesh border security force denied their entry. We appeal to the Bangladesh government to allow Rohingya to enter the refugee camp to save their lives.
The current situation is very critical with no treatment given to the injured Rohingya. It is unknown if the dead bodies were managed for burial.
Since May 2024, Rohingya were under the control of the Arakan Army. The situation is really bad without access to basic needs and humanitarian aid. The shutting down of the internet by the Myanmar military really made the Rohingya situation in the worst situation. The Arakan Army (AA) threatened to kill the Rohingya who sent out information using the Bangladesh line. The Rohingya lives are at stake moment to moment. We are very worried as the Arakan Army has taken over most townships in Arakan State.
We have much evidence on how the Myanmar military and Arakan Army persecuted the Rohingya constantly. This situation has forced the Rohingya to flee the country to seek refuge. The United Nations has declared the Rohingya as the most prosecuted ethnic in the world but until now we cannot get justice and the Genocide continues.
The ongoing genocidal attack by the Arakan Army has forced the Rohingya to flee the country seeking safety and protection. In this journey, thousands of Rohingya became victims of human trafficking and died in the ocean over the years.
MERHROM called for the international Urgent Action to stop the genocidal attack by the Arakan Army (AA). There will be more Rohingya who will be murdered if there is no Urgent Action from the United Nations, EU, ASEAN, OIC, world leaders and international community.
The Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) must be made accountable for the Rohingya Genocide without further delay. The ICJ and ICC process must be sped up in whatever situation in order to deliver justice to the Rohingyas. If we cannot stop the Rohingya genocide today, next we will celebrate the 100 years of Rohingya genocide. This will be recorded in the history as our failure to end the Rohingya Genocide in the 21st century.
We would like to stress that the timely interventions and international support especially urgent humanitarian aid to the Rohingya in Rakhine State were very crucial at this time and the delayed actions definitely sacrifices more lives than ever. Failing to act on violations of international law perpetrated against the Rohingya creates a sense of impunity and encourages an escalation of abuses.
Thank You.
“JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED”
Yours sincerely,
