Border News Agency
Cox’s Bazar, 25 July 2025
The Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC) has released a detailed statement challenging the recent report published by the International Crisis Group (ICG), accusing it of presenting a misleading and harmful narrative that undermines Rohingya rights, dignity, and justice.
In its multi-page rebuttal, ARNC denounces several key claims and recommendations made by the ICG, especially its portrayal of the Arakan Army (AA) as a legitimate governance actor and the suggestion that Rohingya insurgency would derail prospects for repatriation.
Rejecting False Choices and Misrepresentations
The ARNC criticized the ICG for framing the crisis as a binary conflict between Rohingya and the AA. “This claim implies Rohingya must choose between submission or exile,” the rebuttal stated, emphasizing that the root cause of Rohingya displacement lies in violent expulsions and structural oppression by both the Myanmar regime and the Arakan Army.
The statement highlights that the AA has offered no clear roadmap for the dignified and inclusive return of Rohingya refugees, nor the restitution of their properties an essential condition for genuine reconciliation.
Challenging the AA’s Legitimacy and Atrocity Denial
The ARNC strongly opposed the ICG’s legitimization of the AA, pointing to documented war crimes, including the burning of villages, forced displacements, and arbitrary arrests in northern Rakhine State. “The report glosses over the suffering and ongoing persecution of Rohingya under AA control,” said the ARNC, adding that over 200,000 new Rohingya arrivals in Bangladesh are clear evidence of worsening conditions.
Defending Bangladesh and Rohingya Civil Society
The ARNC also dismissed ICG’s suggestion that Bangladeshi security forces support armed Rohingya groups, calling it a baseless accusation. “Bangladesh is bearing a disproportionate burden of hosting over a million refugees with little international support,” the group stated.
Additionally, the ARNC emphasized that civilian Rohingya leadership remains active and committed to peaceful solutions, despite being sidelined and undermined. The statement condemns the ICG’s failure to recognize this and its reinforcement of a narrative that equates Rohingya resistance with extremism.
Aid and Accountability, Not Pacification
The rebuttal also challenged ICG’s recommendations to contain Rohingya influence and avoid armed mobilization, accusing the group of prioritizing pacification over justice. Instead, ARNC calls on the international community to:
Demand accountability from both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.
Support inclusive Rohingya representation in political processes.
Restore unconditional humanitarian aid.
Recognize the core issues: denial of Rohingya identity, rights, and land.
Final Message
In closing, the ARNC urged the international community, including human rights organizations, to avoid narratives that silence Rohingya voices and instead focus on long-term justice, accountability, and dignity.
For more information, visit: https://thearnc.org or contact info@thearnc.org.
