Interview
Border News Agency
Mrauk-U, May 11

There have been some incidents of sexual violence, including child rape, and killings in areas controlled by the Arakan Army. Some of these acts were committed by members of the Arakan Army, while others were carried out by civilians.

In areas under Arakan Army control, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government is implementing administrative and judicial functions.

Therefore, the people of Arakan say it is necessary to ensure safety, security, and the rule of law in those areas.

Gender rights activist Shin Nwe Mong spoke about incidents of child rape and unlawful killings in areas controlled by the Arakan Army:

“We now need to establish rule of law and implement clear, precise legal frameworks and judgments. There may already be laws and rulings in place, but they must be effectively enforced.”

During times of conflict, we often hear about rape, gender-based violence, and exploitation. No matter where it happens, we must not treat these cases as something normal or inevitable. Gender-based violence doesn’t only harm the individual victim it threatens the safety and dignity of all women and the entire community. It’s time to hold perpetrators accountable and set an example through proper punishment.

Legal responses may already be in place, but it is essential that any action taken aligns with international human rights standards. When addressing such cases, it is crucial that accountability is upheld regardless of who the perpetrator is justice must be impartial. Furthermore, legal proceedings and sentencing must be transparent and made known to the public. Only then can trust and confidence among the people be built for the future.

To raise public awareness and understanding of gender-based violence and exploitation, it is essential for governing bodies and responsible authorities to lead with effective collaboration and policy reform. If needed, they should work in partnership with women’s organizations and civil society groups in Rakhine to ensure accountability for such cases, and to support and protect survivors and their families. During this time, authorities must also demonstrate that they are attentive to the public’s concerns and committed to ensuring security and respect for people’s sentiments. As a governing body, it would be beneficial to adopt technical expertise and systematic approaches from CSOs and NGOs/INGOs working on gender-based violence issues.

In addition to public awareness campaigns on gender-based violence, the media also has a responsibility to influence the public and should actively engage in educational content and presentations.

What is urgently needed in the current Rakhine context is for people to recognize injustice as injustice, to have the courage to speak out, and to stand on the side of truth so that everyone can truly understand and experience the essence of justice and fairness.”