Myanmar Military Must Stop Conscription of Rohingya

The Myanmar military’s forced conscription campaign must come to an end, and Rohingya armed groups in Bangladesh should prevent the abduction of Rohingya refugees, according to a recent investigation by Fortify Rights.

The investigation reveals that Rohingya armed groups have been abducting Rohingya refugees from camps in Bangladesh and transporting them to Myanmar’s Arakan State, where they are forced to join the Myanmar military.

Ajas Min Khant, Human Rights Associate at Fortify Rights, stated, “Rohingya survivors of the ongoing genocide committed by the Myanmar military are now being coerced into joining the very force responsible for atrocities against them. These abductions and forced conscriptions may amount to human trafficking and must be urgently addressed.”

A 17-year-old Rohingya refugee recounted his abduction from a café in Bangladesh: “Seven people came while I was drinking tea. They pointed a gun at me, blindfolded me, tied my arms and legs, and took me away. Later, I was transported to Myanmar.” He believes members of a Rohingya militant group were responsible for his abduction and forced relocation to Myanmar.

Another Rohingya man, 21, from Ward-5 in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, shared his experience: “As soon as I left my house, Myanmar junta soldiers pointed guns at me. They were patrolling every junction. Eight soldiers came to my house, arrested me at gunpoint, and took me away.”

A third witness, a Rohingya man abducted on May 3, 2024, explained how he and ten others were taken: “I was at the market in Bangladesh around 3:30 PM when we were abducted. We were tied up, taken by bus to Teknaf, and sent to Myanmar around 11:30 PM that same night.”

Fortify Rights has called for the Bangladesh authorities to better protect Rohingya refugees from forced conscription in camps, where they are supposed to be safe. “The Myanmar junta must immediately stop these abuses,” Ajas Min Khant emphasized.

Source: Fortify Rights,

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