The United Nations Office at Geneva
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UN Human Rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Myanmar: Concerns over rising tensions in Rakhine state
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wife and has all of the necessary small supplies
equipment, important work you and your agency are doing
in Gaza.
Intensified fighting in Rakhine state between the military and the
Arakan army,
alongside tensions being fueled by the between the Rohingya and ethnic
Rakhine communities pose a grave threat to the civilian population.
There is a grave risk that past atrocities will be repeated
as a consequence of not having the care that they need.
Rakhine state
has once again become a battleground involving multiple actors
and civilians are paying a heavy price
with Rohingya at particular risk.
What is particularly disturbing is that whereas in
2017 the Rohingya were targeted by one group,
they are now trapped between two armed factions
who have a track record of killing them.
We must not allow the Rohingya to be targeted again.
Between the two sides broke down last November
15 of Rakhine 17 Facing defeat,
the military has outrageously started to forcibly conscript,
bribe and coerce Rohingya into joining their ranks.
It is unconscionable that they should be targeted in this way,
given the appalling events of six years ago
and the ongoing extreme discrimination
against the Rohingya including the denial of citizenship.
Some reports say the military is forcing the
the Rohingya recruits all villages to burn ethnic Rakhine
homes, buildings or villages.
Ethnic Rakhine villages have allegedly responded
in kind by burning Rohingya villages.
The UN Human rights Office is trying to verify all reports received,
a task that is being complicated by a communications blackout throughout the state
and injuries.
Number of displaced disinformation and propaganda are also rife,
exemplified by claims that
Islamic terrorists have taken Hindus
and Buddhists hostage.
This is the same kind of hateful narrative that fueled communal violence
back in 2012 and the horrendous attacks against the Rohingya in 2017.
Since the start of the year,
the Arakan army has positioned itself in and around Rohingya villages,
effectively inviting military attacks on Rohingya civilians.
The military has outrageously started to
forcibly conscript the alarm bells are ringing
and we must not allow there to be a repeat of the past
countries with influence on the Myanmar military and armed group.
Armed groups involved must act now to protect all civilians in Rakhine
state
and prevent another episode
of horrendous persecution
of the Rohingya
300,000
Rakhine
state
has won. Civilians are paying a heavy price
with Rohingya, killing them.
We must not allow the Rohingya within the
the Rohingya recruits or villages.