Border News Agency
Maungdaw, July
The Thailand-based human rights organization Fortify Rights announced today, July 23, that the International Criminal Court (ICC) should investigate war crimes committed by the Arakan Army (AA) against the Rohingya.
Fortify Rights stated that the Arakan Army (AA) has committed acts of abduction, torture, and killings of Rohingya in villages and temporary detention camps.
“Given the serious crimes occurring in Rakhine State, the International Criminal Court has the jurisdiction to prosecute those responsible, and it should investigate and prosecute crimes committed by the Arakan Army as well,” said Ejaz Minkhant, Fortify Rights’ Senior Human Rights Investigator, in the statement.
Fortify Rights said it interviewed 39 Rohingya survivors and eyewitnesses of atrocities committed by the Arakan Army (AA) between 2024 and 2025, and also verified photographic and video evidence related to the incidents.
The statement also said that Fortify Rights documented mass killings of Rohingya civilians, including at least five clearly identifiable incidents in towns and temporary detention sites where Arakan Army (AA) soldiers beheaded victims. It further noted that the group recorded systematic abductions, torture, and executions of Rohingya following their capture by AA forces.
“The Arakan Army must immediately cease its abuses, including torture and killings of Rohingya in detention sites and villages,” said Ejaz Minkhant, Senior Human Rights Investigator at Fortify Rights. “If the AA wants to be recognized as a legitimate armed resistance group, it must respect international law, protect civilians, and take responsibility for the atrocities it has committed.”
The Arakan Army (AA) currently controls 14 townships across Rakhine State, including areas along the Myanmar–Bangladesh border. It is also facing ongoing allegations from Rohingya organizations of committing crimes against the Rohingya population during its offensives to capture Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships.
BNA reached out to Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson U Khine Thukha for comment regarding the Fortify Rights statement but has not yet received a response. BNA will provide further updates if and when a response is received from U Khine Thukha.
