By: Camp Correspondent
Maungdaw, Rakhine State, 5 July 2025
The Rohingya community in Maungdaw is expressing grave concern over the recent arbitrary arrests of respected community leaders by the Arakan Army (AA), as fears mount over rising repression and erosion of civil space under AA control.
On 2 July, three Rohingya elders were reportedly taken from their homes without warrants or formal charges. Eyewitnesses confirmed that no explanations were provided, and the detainees were initially held at an AA intelligence facility, where they were allegedly mistreated, before being transferred to the second battalion’s base in the 4 Mile area.
Since their arrest, communication with families has been completely severed, and relatives have not been allowed to deliver food or medicine, despite the detainees reportedly suffering from chronic health conditions.
“They are known for their honesty and community service,” said one resident. “They have no links to any armed groups. Arresting them like this is a direct attack on our dignity and leadership.”
This is not an isolated incident. On 21 June, the son of a shop owner in Kyauk Hla Gha market, widely known for his cooperation with AA personnel, was also detained while accompanying an officer to the same battalion base. He, too, has not been seen since.
Pattern of Intimidation and Silencing
The arbitrary arrests of respected Rohingya figures have sparked widespread fear and anxiety within the community. Many believe these actions are part of a broader strategy to silence community leaders and weaken Rohingya self-organization.
“If leaders can be taken without reason, what safety is left for the rest of us?” asked a teacher from Maungdaw. “It feels like we’re being deliberately silenced.”
Since the AA seized full control of Maungdaw on 8 December 2024, the Rohingya population has faced a growing list of violations, including:
- Forced displacement from long-established villages
- Property confiscation and closures of homes based on unverified complaints
- Restricted movement between villages, with checkpoints imposing informal fees on pedestrians and motorbike users—disproportionately targeting Rohingya civilians
The ongoing conflict, which reignited in November 2023, has left the Rohingya community trapped between armed groups, reviving fears rooted in the trauma of the 2017 mass displacement, when nearly one million Rohingya fled to Bangladesh.
A Call for Immediate Intervention
Rohingya families and civil society members are now urging:
- The immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained
- An end to targeted harassment of community leaders
- Restoration of freedom of movement, humanitarian access, and legal protection
“We are still living with the scars of 2017,” one resident said. “But this time, it’s not just the military—we’re facing new forms of repression that threaten to erase our voice and presence altogether.”
The community calls on international actors, humanitarian organizations, and human rights defenders to urgently monitor the situation and advocate for the safety, dignity, and rights of Rohingya civilians under armed group control.
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