By Camp Correspondent
Kyauktaw, Myanmar – March 3, 2025
The Arakan Army (AA) has imposed a strict ban on Rohingya residents in Kyauktaw from identifying themselves as “Rohingya,” warning of severe consequences for those who defy the order.
The directive was issued during a meeting on February 26, 2025, where the AA leadership declared that using the term “Rohingya” would lead to harsh punishment.
According to an attendee of the meeting, Commander-in-Chief Major General Twan Mrat Naing reportedly stated, “Anyone who uses the word ‘Rohingya’ will be labeled as an ARSA terrorist from Maungdaw and will face the highest punishment.”
This warning has intensified fear among the Rohingya community, which already faces tight restrictions under AA rule.
The armed group has also ordered local Rohingya to report any strangers entering their villages, effectively increasing surveillance and further limiting their freedom.
Targeting Identity Amidst Systematic Oppression
A Rohingya resident who attended the meeting voiced deep concern over the new restriction, stating, “We are already struggling for survival, and now they are even taking away our name.”
Despite earlier claims by the AA that they respect Rohingya rights, their actions since taking control of major towns in northern Rakhine reveal otherwise.
Between March and August 2024, at least 2,500 Rohingya were killed, and 40,000 were forced to flee Myanmar, according to Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, who spoke to The New Humanitarian.
This ban on self-identification follows a broader pattern of persecution that the Rohingya have endured for decades.
The Myanmar military previously stripped the Rohingya of citizenship and fundamental rights, and now the AA is attempting to erase their identity entirely.
Erasure of Rohingya Identity and Increased Marginalization
The AA’s prohibition on using the term “Rohingya” adds to the community’s marginalization and fear.
Many believe that this restriction will further prevent Rohingya from accessing humanitarian aid, seeking justice for past atrocities, or reclaiming their rightful place in Myanmar.
A Rohingya activist described the move as part of an ongoing strategy to silence and erase the community. “First, they drove us from our homes, now they want to erase our name. This is another step toward making sure we never exist in Myanmar’s history.”
International Concerns Over Rising Abuses
The United Nations and human rights organizations have consistently warned against measures that suppress Rohingya identity and limit their rights.
However, with Myanmar’s ongoing conflicts and political instability, Rohingya communities remain increasingly vulnerable.
As tensions escalate under AA rule, many fear that Rohingya in Kyauktaw and other parts of Rakhine will face further persecution.
For now, the threat of punishment is forcing many to remain silent about their identity, as even the word “Rohingya” has become too dangerous to say.
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