iii. Conflict, displacement and statelessness: the Rohingya 9. Children affected by armed conflict face a heightened risk of statelessness and serious protection harms due to: (i) the breakdown or denial of civil registration systems, (ii) the inability to access or exercise nationality rights in territories controlled by state and non-state actors, (iii) the inability or difficulty of establishing identity for children born of conflict related sexual violence, and (iv) the risk of nationality deprivation arising from counter-terrorism or national security measures and perceived association with armed actors.3 10. These factors intersect with forced displacement, unsafe and irregular migration, family separation, trafficking, and exposure to physical, psychological, and emotional harm. They face a greater risk of being separated from family during conflict and consequently face a disproportionate risk of being unable to re-establish family ties or achieve family reunification in the event of separation due to lack of documentation, thereby having a profound impact on their future. Their lack of documentation also means they cannot verify their identity, including critical aspects such as their parentage and date of birth, which obstructs access to education, healthcare, and protection services, thereby entrenching long-term vulnerability and shaping profoundly adverse life trajectories. 11. The impacts of which are vividly illustrated by the Rohingya, one of the largest population groups rendered stateless. The lack of security and protection, the extremely limited livelihood opportunities, forced displacement, forced labour, arbitrary arrest, and forced recruitment by the Arakan Army (AA) have forced many Rohingya families and their children to migrate to neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Thailand and Malaysia. Rohingya in Rakhine State face extreme challenges in accessing civil documents under the Myanmar Military or the Arakan Army, and there are no legal or safe routes to cross borders, either by sea or land. As a result, Rohingya in Rakhine State are unable to choose safe or regular migration options and are forced to rely on networks of traffickers to leave the country, leaving individuals and families vulnerable to exploitation along the route and at the destination. “Before AA captured Buthidaung Township, we were forced to flee. While fleeing, we had to carry our three children and my mother-in-law. During the escape, my mother-in-law was injured by a drone attack carried out by AA. Due to the lack of healthcare and medicines during our journey, she later died. AA accused my husband of supporting the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and confiscated our house and shop. My husband decided that we should go to Malaysia with the help of brokers. We were forced to pay 12,000,000 Myanmar Kyat for five people (my husband, myself, and our three young children). Rohingya woman, 34, Mae Sot. 12. Rohingya villagers in Maungdaw Township said that the AA is pressuring Rohingya community leaders and village administrators to organise recruitment to join its military and administrative training. Many Rohingya then decided to leave Rakhine State simply to search for safety and protection. However, they need permission from the AA to travel outside Rakhine State and 3 Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, ‘Submission to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in response to the call for contributions on the rights of children and violations of human rights of children in armed conflict’, 2025, available here: https://files.institutesi.org/Submission_OHCHR_children_in_armed_conflicts.pdf. 3