Maungdaw and Buthidaung, once strongholds of Rohingya resilience, are now being systematically erased by the Arakan Army, a rebel group. These towns, which once symbolized survival in a state that has long sought to eliminate the Rohingya presence, are being emptied under the guise of conflict and humanitarian neglect.
In August 2024, thousands of Rohingya were forcibly displaced from Maungdaw and Buthidaung. What was presented as a protective measure by armed forces was, in reality, a calculated campaign of deprivation, forced conscription, and violence. First-hand accounts from survivors now in Bangladesh paint a harrowing picture of life under blockade:
- Food blockades drove the price of rice from 20,000 to 100,000 kyats per sack, making basic sustenance unaffordable.
- Electricity was cut off for months, plunging entire communities into darkness.
- Medical facilities ceased to function, leaving treatable wounds to turn fatal.
- Rohingya were abducted, tortured, and forcibly recruited into a conflict that was never theirs.
The families fled under the cover of airstrikes, pursued by armed groups and bandits who preyed on them as they tried to escape. Hundreds were intercepted at the Bangladesh border, left stranded in uncertainty with nowhere to turn. Many, in search of safety, were forced to embark on perilous sea journeys to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh, risking their lives in desperate attempts to escape the violence.
Where is the international response and accountability for these atrocities?
The world is watching, yet silence prevails. Bangladesh has shown immense generosity, providing refuge to nearly 1.5 million Rohingya for years, despite facing significant challenges. However, the recent escalation of violence in Arakan has left many Rohingya trapped, with borders closed and humanitarian access severely restricted. While Bangladesh continues to call for a sustainable solution, the international community must step up to share the responsibility and ensure immediate protection for those fleeing persecution. The Rohingya cannot be left to navigate their survival alone—urgent and decisive action is needed.
The Call for Action:
As the Administrative Office of Rohingya Centres (Head Office) in the United Kingdom, we stand at the forefront of advocating for the protection and recognition of the Rohingya people. Representing the social and political aspirations of the Rohingya worldwide, we urge the international community to take immediate and decisive action:
- International Protection: Immediate intervention is needed to safeguard the Rohingya population still trapped in Myanmar. There must be urgent mechanisms for humanitarian aid, protection from forced recruitment, and the establishment of a designated and internationally monitored safe zone in Arakan to prevent further killings, displacement, and the systematic erasure of the Rohingya from their homeland.
- Accountability and Justice: The international community must hold perpetrators accountable for the systemic oppression and ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Regional and global actors must prioritise Rohingya rights in diplomatic negotiations with Myanmar’s authorities. The future of the Rohingya must be part of any discussions on Arakan’s political future.
- A Sustainable Future: The Rohingya deserve more than temporary relief—they need a pathway to dignified repatriation, recognition, and security in their homeland. Rohingya leaders must be actively involved in decision-making processes to ensure their voices are heard. As the leading Rohingya diaspora organisation, representing Rohingya from refugee camps, the diaspora, and Arakan, we demand a seat at the table in shaping the future of our people.
Maungdaw and Buthidaung were among the last remaining strongholds of Rohingya identity in Myanmar. Their fall signals yet another chapter in the systematic erasure of an entire people. This crisis demands more than statements of concern—it requires urgent and sustained action from all stakeholders. The Rohingya cannot afford further abandonment.
Dr. Mohammad Khubybe, also known as Hla Kyaw, the Chief Operating Officer of the Rohingya Centre UK (RCUK), stated:
“The ongoing erasure of the Rohingya from Arakan is not just a crisis—it is an existential threat to an entire people. We must act decisively and strategically to ensure that the Rohingya voice is at the centre of all international discussions. Our struggle is not just about survival; it is about justice, dignity, and the right to exist in our homeland.”
The Administrative Office of Rohingya Centres (Head Office), United Kingdom remains committed to diplomatic engagement, leadership, and strategic advocacy to ensure the Rohingya people are not forgotten. The time for action is now.
For media and press inquiries, please contact:
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