2016
2017
2012
1978
1991
1992
Burma Human Rights Network’s report: “We also have dreams”
On August 25th, 2017 ARSA launched a surprise attack on 24 police posts and a military base in
northern Rakhine State. The militants were poorly armed, had little training, and despite the element
of surprise the military and police were able to repel them with little effort. The following morning the
military used the attacks as a pretext to begin a genocidal campaign against the Rohingya
population throughout all of northern Rakhine State. Widespread reports of mass killings, torture,
gang rapes, arson, and looting by the military were recorded⁹. After hundreds of deaths and
widespread displacement, ARSA announced a unilateral ceasefire on October 9th and the military
officially ended their campaign a few months later. As a result of the military’s assault, the Rohingya
refugee population in Bangladesh rose to over one million people.
The massive influx of refugees into Bangladesh created an enormous challenge for the country and
the international community to provide much needed humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees,
including food, health care, security, and housing for all of them. While all parties should be
commended for their efforts to address these needs, it is vital to also address the ongoing problems
and shortcomings within the camps to ensure the rights, safety, dignity and quality of life of those that
remain.
Camp 9W
9- “UN. Human Rights Council. Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Human Rights in
Myanmar.” Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Human Rights in Myanmar (2018 September 12)
Pgs 7,8 and 9. Retrieved from https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/1648304?ln=en
www.bhrn.org.uk
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