By Ro Maung Shwe
Cox’s Bazar, October 23, 2025 — Nearly one hundred Rohingya and allied civil society organizations from around the world have issued a joint statement rejecting the United League of Arakan (ULA) and its armed wing, the Arakan Army (AA), as the legitimate authority in Arakan (Rakhine) State. The groups reaffirmed the indigenous status of the Rohingya people and called for inclusive governance, justice, and peace for all communities in the region.
Guided by international law, human rights principles, and the Charter of the United Nations, the organizations asserted that the Rohingya—whose heritage traces back to Rohang, the historical name of Arakan—are rightful and indigenous Arakanese. They emphasized their commitment to building an inclusive Arakan where all ethnic groups, including Rohingya, Rakhine, Kamein, and Mru, share equal political representation and autonomy.
Rejecting ULA/AA’s Claim and Documenting Abuses
The statement denounces the ULA/AA’s attempt to monopolize political authority and erase Rohingya identity. The signatories stated that the ULA/AA’s claim to represent all of Arakan “does not reflect the will or rights of the Rohingya people.”
Citing credible documentation, including reports from Fortify Rights (23 July 2025) and the United Nations (A/HRC/60/20), the statement accuses the AA of committing serious human rights violations—such as abductions, torture, killings, and the burning of Rohingya villages in Buthidaung and Maungdaw between May and August 2024. The organizations described these actions as “the conduct of a perpetrator, not a protector.”
Rejecting the ULA/AA’s authority, however, does not mean supporting the Myanmar military junta. The statement condemns both the junta and the AA for atrocities against Rohingya civilians and calls for accountability under international law through mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns
The groups warned that any recognition of the ULA/AA as a legitimate authority would undermine ongoing war crimes investigations and obstruct justice for victims. They urged the international community to deny legitimacy to any armed group implicated in war crimes and to uphold a rights-based approach centered on accountability and inclusivity.
A Vision for a Shared Arakan
The statement outlined a collective vision for a peaceful and inclusive Arakan. The organizations called on the ULA/AA to:
- End all violence, forced recruitment, and attacks against Rohingya civilians;
- Acknowledge and take responsibility for crimes committed;
- Engage in genuine dialogue toward reconciliation and justice;
- Work with all ethnic communities to build a democratic and inclusive Arakan.
They reaffirmed that “Arakan is the shared homeland of all its sons and daughters” and must not be turned into a tool of militarization or ethnic domination. True peace, they stressed, is impossible without justice and equality for the Rohingya.
Appeal to the International Community
In their concluding appeal, the signatories urged the United Nations, Member States, and diplomatic missions to:
- Reject any claim by the ULA/AA to legitimate governance in Arakan;
- Support an inclusive political framework representing all ethnic groups;
- Avoid engagement with any armed group involved in human rights violations;
- Strengthen efforts for justice, reconciliation, and durable peace.
The statement concludes with a message of solidarity and resolve:
“The Arakanese peoples—including the indigenous Rohingya—deserve justice, protection, and the right to return to their ancestral lands in safety and dignity.”
