Myanmar: UN human rights chief sounds alarm amid rising tensions in Rakhine

UN Human Rights Chief has warned of the grave threat posed to the civilian population in Rakhine State due to intensified fighting between the military and the Arakan Army, as well as tensions between the Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine communities.

Since the breakdown of the ceasefire last November, fighting has affected 15 out of 17 townships in Rakhine, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries, and over 300,000 displaced individuals.

In his statement, Volker Türk highlighted the particularly disturbing situation for the Rohingya, who are now caught between two armed factions with a history of targeting them.

The military’s loss of ground to the Arakan Army has led to intensified fighting in areas with large Rohingya populations, putting them at grave risk.

Türk also condemned the military’s forced conscription and coercion of Rohingya into joining their ranks, given the past events and ongoing discrimination against the Rohingya.

Reports indicate that both sides are engaging in burning each other’s villages. The UN Human Rights Office is working to verify all reports.