UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has condemned the ongoing atrocities committed by both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army against the Rohingya, stating that these actions continue without accountability.
In a statement released in Geneva on Thursday, Türk emphasised that the violence is a “flagrant violation of international law,” including the provisional measures set by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The remarks come as the eighth anniversary of the Rohingya influx approaches, marking the mass exodus of around 750,000 Rohingyas following a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Since the escalation of conflict between the military and the Arakan Army in 2023, an additional 200,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh, where they remain displaced, with no prospect of returning home.
Meanwhile, the Arakan Army has gained control over more than 80 per cent of Rakhine State, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Türk lamented the lack of justice for the violence that began on August 25, 2017, questioning when the suffering of the Rohingya would end.
“The enduring misery for these people and the ongoing crimes need to be addressed,” he said. He also stressed that ending impunity and ensuring the Rohingya’s right to security, citizenship, and equality are crucial steps in breaking the cycle of violence.
Since November 2023, the situation in Rakhine has sharply worsened, further deepening the already perilous conditions for the Rohingya.
Türk highlighted the dire state faced by Rohingyas in both Myanmar and Bangladesh, exacerbated by significant cuts to food assistance amidst a global funding crisis.
The UN high commissioner called on the international community to increase humanitarian aid and support accountability measures to ensure the basic needs of the Rohingya are met and justice is pursued.