By: Camp Correspondent
March 9, 2025
The Arakan Army (AA), which now controls large areas of Rakhine State, has banned local Rohingya people from using their ethnic name, “Rohingya,” in any form—spoken or written.
The group has issued strict warnings that anyone who disobeys will face severe punishment, creating widespread fear among the Rohingya community.
AA’s Strict Orders and Threats
Local sources confirm that AA authorities have informed residents that they must never refer to themselves as Rohingya.
Villagers have also been ordered to report any new or unknown individuals entering their areas. Failure to comply with these directives could result in serious consequences.
“This kind of restriction further isolates and oppresses our community,” said a Rohingya resident who spoke anonymously due to security concerns.
“AA’s actions show that they want to erase our identity and keep us under tight control.”
A Long History of Discrimination
The Rohingya have faced systemic discrimination in Myanmar for decades. Under the 1982 Citizenship Law, ethnic groups must prove settlement in Myanmar before 1823 to be officially recognized.
However, historical records confirm that the Rohingya have lived in Arakan (now Rakhine State) for centuries.
British scholar Dr. Francis Buchanan documented the presence of the “Rooinga” (Rohingya) people in Arakan as early as 1799, and their language was also recorded in official British colonial records.
Before Myanmar’s military rule, the Rohingya were recognized as an ethnic group with voting rights.
In 1936, they participated in elections, and during the country’s first civilian government under Prime Minister U Nu, the Rohingya were officially acknowledged.
Even General Aung San, Myanmar’s independence leader, included them in its political framework.
A Pattern of Oppression
For decades, the Rohingya community had equal rights, including freedom of movement, education, and employment.
However, after the military government established the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) in 1992, their rights were systematically stripped away.
“Every year, our freedoms shrink more and more,” said a Rohingya activist. “Now, even our identity is being erased.”
With this latest ban, the Rohingya in Rakhine State face yet another existential threat. Many fear that these restrictions are part of a broader effort to erase their history, silence their voices, and push them further into isolation.
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