Preamble:
Guided by international law, human rights principles, and the Charter of the United
Nations, we, the undersigned representatives of Rohingya and allied civil society
organisations worldwide, reaffirm the inherent rights of the Rohingya people and all
ethnic communities of Arakan State. The Rohingya, originating from Rohang—the
historical name of Arakan—are indigenous to the region and rightful Arakanese.
We stand for inclusive governance, peaceful coexistence, and sustainable
development across Arakan State. We categorically reject any claims or
campaigns by the United League of Arakan (ULA) and its armed wing, the Arakan
Army (AA), seeking to monopolise authority, erase Rohingya identity, or delegitimise
our historical and indigenous rights.
This statement represents the lawful and collective voice of the Rohingya people
and the broader Arakanese population, calling on the United Nations, its Member
States, and the international community to recognise and uphold these rights.
Statement of Concern:
The Rohingya, as indigenous Arakanese, have endured decades of systematic
persecution, statelessness, and mass atrocities amounting to crimes against
humanity and genocide.
In September 2025, the ULA/AA and associated entities submitted appeals seeking
recognition as the governing authority in Arakan. We firmly reject these appeals, as
the ULA/AA does not represent the Rohingya people. While the AA publicly claims
that Muslims and minorities enjoy new freedoms under its rule, verified testimonies
and independent reports demonstrate the opposite.
According to the Fortify Rights report dated 23 July 2025, the AA is responsible for
widespread abductions, brutal torture, and the murder of Rohingya men and
women—some of whom were found beheaded—in flagrant violation of
international law. Furthermore, the UN Report (A/HRC/60/20) confirms that AA
fighters shelled and burned Rohingya villages in Buthidaung and Maungdaw
between May and August 2024. These acts reveal the conduct of a perpetrator, not
a protector.
Rejecting the ULA/AA does not imply support for the Burmese military junta, which
has also committed grave atrocities and continues to conceal its genocidal crimes.
Both actors must be held accountable under international law.
Legal and Humanitarian Implications:
Recognition of ULA/AA would seriously undermine ongoing investigations into war
crimes and crimes against humanity. Justice requires that accountability be
pursued through established international mechanisms, including the International
Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The international community must refrain from legitimising any armed group
involved in gross human rights violations and war crimes, regardless of political
context or justification.
Vision for Arakan:
We advocate for all ethnicities in Arakan State including the Rohingya, Rakhine,
Kamein, Mru, and other indigenous communities to enjoy full political
representation, equal rights, and shared autonomy within a peaceful and inclusive
governance framework.
This recognises all Arakanese peoples as equal stakeholders in the region’s future,
committed to coexistence, justice, and long-term stability in Arakan State.
We urge the ULA/AA to:
Immediately cease all acts of violence, forced conscription, and targeted
attacks against Rohingya civilians;
- Acknowledge and take accountability for the crimes committed against Rohingya peoples;
- Engage sincerely in dialogue aimed at reconciliation, justice, and inclusive governance;
- Work collaboratively with Rohingya and all ethnic communities to build an Arakan that belongs to all its people.
Arakan is the shared homeland of all its sons and daughters. It must not become an instrument of dictatorship, militarisation, or ethnic domination. There will be no genuine peace, unity, or stability in Arakan without justice, equality, and full rights for the Rohingya people.
Call to the International Community:
We call upon the United Nations, Member States, and diplomatic missions to:
- Reject any claim by the ULA/AA to legitimate governance in Arakan;
- Support the establishment of an inclusive, representative governance framework that respects all ethnic communities;
- Refrain from recognising or engaging with armed groups implicated in war crimes or ongoing human rights violations;
- Support all efforts aimed at achieving justice, reconciliation, and durable peace for every community in Arakan.
The Arakanese peoples including the indigenous Rohingya deserve justice,
protection, and the right to return to their ancestral lands in safety and dignity.
Signatories:
- Al-Arakan Integrity Foundation – Malaysia
- Al-Arkani UK – United Kingdom
- All Camp Rohingya Teachers Unity Association – Bangladesh
- Arakan Network for Women’s Rights – Bangladesh
- Arakan Rohingya Committee – Bangladesh
- Arakan Rohingya Motherboard High School Committee – Bangladesh
- Arakan Rohingya National Union – Bangladesh
- Arakan Rohingya Students Forum – Bangladesh
- Arakan Rohingya Student and Youth Network – Bangladesh
- Arakan Rohingya Union – United States
- Arakan Rohingya Youth Alliance – Bangladesh
- Arakan Rohingya Youth Forum – Bangladesh
- Blood Donor Society – Bangladesh
- Blood Donation Society – Bangladesh
- Blood Management Team – Bangladesh
- Burma Peace and Development Forum – United Kingdom
- Center for Rohingya Crisis Studies (CRCS) – Bangladesh
- Center for Rohingya Resilience – Bangladesh
- Comrades of Rohingya Youth – Bangladesh
- DGZ Student Association – Bangladesh
- Donate Blood Save Life – Bangladesh
- Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Blood Donation Society – Bangladesh
- Free Rohingya Women – Bangladesh
- FutureGen Rohingya Network – Bangladesh
- Myanmar Human Rights Network – Bangladesh
- Myanmar Rohingya Student Union – Myanmar & Bangladesh
- Myint Hlut Students’ Association – Bangladesh
- Nurture Aid Initiative for Rohingya – Bangladesh
- Power of Rohingya Youths – Malaysia
- Religion and Ideology Research Foundation – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Advocacy & Empowerment – United States
- Rohingya Association New Zealand – New Zealand
- Rohingya Blood Donation Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Centre of UK (RCUK) – United Kingdom
- Rohingya Child Rights Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Cooperation Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Education Board – United Kingdom
- Rohingya Future Bloom Society – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Genocide Prevention Research Network – Global
- Rohingya Generation Association – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Graduation for Hope Institution – Germany
- Rohingya Green Nature Society – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Inclusion Development Center (RIDC) – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Inspiration Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Inspire TV – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Integration Committee – Myanmar
- Rohingya Life Photography – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Lumina Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya National Education Board – Bangladesh
- Rohingya National League – United States
- Rohingya Peace Builder Association – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Refugee Care Initiative – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Resilience Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Return Organisation – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Society in Malaysia – Malaysia
- Rohingya Student Empowerment Team – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Students Advocacy Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Student Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Student’s Charity Team – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Students’ Development Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Students Unity for Right – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Union for Justice and Rights – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Youth Advocacy Network – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Youth Association – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Youth Coalition – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Youth Empowerment Initiative – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Youth Network for Peace and Development – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Youth Voice – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Youth’s Rights – Bangladesh
- Society Blood Donation Team – Bangladesh
- Student Organization for Social Development Initiatives – Bangladesh
- Students Union for Social Development – Bangladesh
- University of Arakan (UoA) – United Kingdom
- United Hands for the Poor – Bangladesh
- Voice For Homeless Nations – Bangladesh
- Voice Of Rohingya Women and Students – Bangladesh
- Youth For Action Rohingya – Bangladesh
- Youth Led Initiative – Bangladesh
- Youths Association of Chin Ywa-Yacy – Bangladesh
- Youths For Rohingya Development – Bangladesh
- Rohingya Cooperation Network – Global
- Rohingya Genocide Prevention Research Network – Global
- Arakanese New Generation Organization – Bangladesh
For media or official enquiries, please contact:
Mohammed Amin, CEO, Rohingya Centre UK (RCUK)
Mobile: +44 7475 237037
Email: mohammed.a@rcuk.org
This statement represents the collective position of 83 Rohingya civil society
organisations worldwide.