Border News Agency
Kyauktaw, September 11

Women and local residents in Arakan say that sexual violence, including child sexual abuse, has been on the rise in areas under the control of the Arakan Army, leaving women increasingly unsafe and vulnerable.

They added that perpetrators are exploiting the instability of governance and the lack of strong rule of law amid the final phase of the Arakan war to threaten and endanger women’s safety.

“A father repeatedly raping his underage biological daughter for years, and a township administrator attempting to rape displaced women and when we go out on the road, they harass us in groups, which makes us feel both physically and mentally unsafe. We feel there is no rule of law and no security at all,” a woman from Myaybon told Border News Agency.

In Ann Township, a father had been sexually assaulting his biological daughter since she was 12 years old, continuously abusing her for six years. The abuse came to light when a medical examination revealed that she was pregnant. Following this discovery, the mother reported the case to the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) under the Arakan People’s Authority, leading to his arrest.

In addition, in Sin Khran Village, Mrauk-U Township, on September 5, U Maung Aye Nyunt, the village administrator appointed by the Arakan People’s Authority, attempted to rape a displaced woman. The incident was reported to the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS), which then moved to have him arrested.

Furthermore, in Kyauktaw Township, a 25-year-old man who had raped four women was sentenced on September 1 by the Mrauk-U District Court under the Arakan People’s Authority to 40 years in prison with hard labor. However, it is reported that there are still other rape cases he has committed that remain under investigation.

In addition, since many men are serving in the Arakan Army, women left behind at home have to take the lead in providing for their families’ food and livelihood, they said.

As a result, they have to go out to work in jobs such as harvesting crops, gathering vegetables, and cutting firewood, which puts them at constant risk and leaves them without safety or security, according to the women.

“When there are men at home, we feel safer. But since we have to take on the household responsibilities, we can’t just stay idle and must go out to work to support our families. When we return home at night and sleep with only the children, we feel unsafe without a man in the house. There are also more drunk people around the villages now, so we have to live very cautiously for our own safety,” a mother from Kyauktaw Township told Border News Agency.

Women said that in areas under the control of the Arakan Army, there has been an increase in groups gathering to drink and use drugs, and incidents of women being verbally harassed with sexual remarks while traveling alone have become more frequent than before.

As a result, women feel unsafe and vulnerable not only in their homes but also on the streets and at workplaces, experiencing both physical and emotional insecurity, they said.

In addition, displaced women are forced to sleep in places without proper shelter and to use toilets or bathe in open areas, leaving them extremely vulnerable and without safety, they said.

Furthermore, young displaced girls have to travel long distances to attend school, and because of the lack of safety along the way, parents are deeply worried for their children’s security, according to the displaced people.

“Living in the village together with many displaced people, there are all kinds of people around, so I can’t fully trust anyone with my children. It’s not that I’m labeling them as bad people, but I constantly tell my daughter to always stick with her friends and move in a group when going to and from school or while playing. Since I still have to work to support our livelihood, I can’t always take her to and pick her up from school,” a mother of a displaced schoolgirl from Kyauktaw Township told Border News Agency.

Locals in Kyauktaw Township, Khamoungtaw Village, report that in early 2024, a young woman around 20 years old was approached behind her house at night by a man aged 27, who attempted to coerce her into committing sexual violence.

According to villagers, when the young woman cried out in fear as the man tried to forcibly drag her, nearby villagers came running, causing the man who attempted the assault to flee.

At that time, because the Arakan region was experiencing intense urban clashes and military activity, the administrative authorities were not fully functional. The young woman who suffered the assault only reported the incident to the village administrator, but since the man who attempted the crime fled to the Arakan Army, her family says that no action has been taken against him to this day.

“The incident itself proves that women’s safety is not guaranteed. Once a criminal commits a crime and then joins the Arakan Army, they escape punishment. If such people gain power and enter administrative roles within the AA, how can young women feel safe? Meanwhile, the victim still lives in fear, surrounded by the same threatening environment,” the young woman who suffered the assault from Khamoungtaw Village, Kyauktaw Township, told Border News Agency.

In Hinkhraw Village, Pauktaw Township, on July 29, a 9-year-old schoolgirl was sexually assaulted by a 69-year-old monk. Reports say that the perpetrator is currently under investigation and in custody by the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLE PS).

In Fa Pyaw Village, Minbra Township, on May 6, a 9-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and killed. Reports say that eight suspects are currently under investigation and in custody by the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLE PS).

In Lun Lon Pike Village, Myaybon Township, on the night of June 20, 2024, a 24-year-old woman was attacked by a 24-year-old man, a neighbor, who attempted to sexually assault her.

In this case, the victim filed charges under Sections 325, 452, and 307 of the penal code. However, over a year has passed with no significant progress. Last July, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government reportedly reopened the investigation into the case. The judge who granted bail to the accused is also under investigation.

Despite this, no verdict has been issued yet, and in the remaining cases, the perpetrators have still not been punished. Locals say that the victim and her family continue to face threats and intimidation.

On August 11, during a press briefing, the Arakan Army stated that in areas under its control, women’s safety is fully protected under the law.

“When asked whether women living in areas controlled by the ULA/AA have safety and legal protection, we can confidently say 100% yes. The reason is that if we compare the situation under the previous military council’s control with now under ULA/AA administration, we see significant improvements in public safety and women’s security. We can assure that women’s safety is fully protected under the law, and we provide all necessary legal protections. For example, if anyone causes disturbances or harassment, no one is given special treatment, and the relevant legal authorities take action according to the law,” said Khine Thukha, the spokesperson for the Arakan Army.

However, on the ground, violence against women has not decreased, and threats have actually increased. In areas controlled by the Arakan Army, acts of sexual assault and other forms of abuse continue to occur frequently, leaving women unsafe, according to women and local residents.

After public criticism that arrests and punishments for such cases were rare, the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) has reportedly started taking action to arrest and prosecute offenders, locals say.

However, many cases have still not been prosecuted. Locals are calling for swift arrests and legal action against offenders, urging authorities to uphold the rule of law and public security, and to restore the community’s trust.

In the Arakan region, women and local residents say that in order for women to be safe and for violence and abuse to decrease, the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) must arrest and fairly prosecute perpetrators, including those who commit sexual assaults and other abuses against women, without bias.