Rohingya Return Press Release
October 8, 2025
For Immediate Release
Rohingya Return strongly condemns the recent reports that the Arakan Army (AA) has forcibly conscripted Rohingya women from Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships into armed service. This coercive recruitment of young, unmarried women violates fundamental human rights and exacerbates the ongoing insecurity and suffering faced by Rohingya communities under AA control.
According to credible sources, on October 6, AA authorities compelled the selection of 100 Rohingya women—50 from Maungdaw and 50 from Buthidaung—to serve in their military forces. Families are under extreme duress, facing intimidation and the threat of reprisals should they refuse to comply. This deplorable practice mirrors the Myanmar military junta’s forced conscription and constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
The forced militarization of Rohingya women not only endangers their safety and freedoms but also severely disrupts the social fabric of an already vulnerable population. Rohingya Return urges all relevant bodies to urgently address this issue and hold accountable those responsible for these human rights abuses.
We call upon the following entities to take immediate and decisive action:
- United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UN Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights in Myanmar to investigate these forced recruitment practices and publicly condemn violations.
- United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to impose targeted sanctions on the Arakan Army leadership responsible for human rights abuses.
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and humanitarian agencies to enhance protection and monitoring efforts in conflict-affected areas, ensuring the safety of civilian populations.
- ASEAN Human Rights Body and Regional Governments (Myanmar, Bangladesh) to coordinate efforts to halt forced recruitment and support displaced Rohingya communities.
- International human rights organizations and media outlets to amplify Rohingya voices, document abuses, and maintain global awareness of the situation.
Rohingya Return reiterates the urgent need for international intervention to safeguard Rohingya women and communities from forced recruitment and violence. We demand that the Arakan Army cease all forced conscriptions immediately and allow Rohingya civilians to live in safety and dignity.
