children are deprived of education, and families cannot seek employment or food, leading to
severe hardships and suffering. These restrictions have led to tragic deaths within our community.
The AA is fully aware that the roads they force us to take are mined, yet they still insist on
making us use them. This has resulted in unnecessary suffering and loss of life. Our ability to
seek safety and security is completely undermined by these brutal restrictions.” Shamshudin
(name changed) believes that the movement restrictions have had devastating consequences on
our daily lives. The Rohingyas, who are trapped inside, are unable to travel freely and are cut off
from marketplaces where they could earn a livelihood. This has led to extreme poverty and food
shortages in the community. Education is also severely impacted, as children cannot attend
schools outside their villages, depriving them of learning opportunities and a better future. Access
to healthcare is another major challenge. Many of them can’t reach clinics or hospitals, resulting
in untreated illnesses and preventable deaths. These restrictions have isolated them completely,
forcing them to live in fear and uncertainty every day. In his testimony, he strongly felt, “one of
the biggest difficulties I face was accessing healthcare if I or a family member falls sick, reaching
a hospital or clinic was almost impossible.” The constant isolation has caused deep psychological
stress, making the community feel helpless and abandoned.
➔ Extortion as an Economic Control
The testimonies unanimously describe extortion as a common and systematic form of economic
exploitation targeting the Rohingya. Armed groups, such as the AA, demand ransom payments,
often in cash, forcing families to sell their valuables and valuable items or seek financial
assistance from relatives staying inside or outside Myanmar. The testimonies reveal that extortion
is central to the AA's control of the Rohingya community in Rakhine State. Take an incident from
Saber whose cousin was abducted and later a ransom call was made. The AA abducted his cousin
and later demanded a ransom of 20 lakh Kyats (approximately $476) over the phone after holding
him for a few days. This kind of extortion instills fear in the community, as families are forced to
pay large sums of money with no guarantee of their loved one's safety. Threats are often received,
where the perpetrators pressure families into paying ransom. In many cases, even after the
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