Myanmar/Bangladesh: End Abduction, Forced Conscription of Rohingya Civilians
New investigation finds Myanmar junta forcibly conscripting abducted Rohingya refugees
The Myanmar junta’s illegal forced-conscription campaign in Rakhine State and elsewhere in the country must end, and Rohingya armed groups operational in Bangladesh should prevent the abduction of Rohingya refugees, said Fortify Rights today. A new investigation by Fortify Rights finds that Rohingya armed groups abducted Rohingya refugees from refugee camps in Bangladesh, and then the abductees were transported to Myanmar and forced to join the Myanmar junta’s military. These acts may violate the laws of war and amount to human trafficking.
“Rohingya survivors of the ongoing genocide committed by the Myanmar military are now being forced to join the ranks of the very actors responsible for committing atrocities against them,” said Ejaz Min Khant, Human Rights Associate at Fortify Rights. “The abduction and forced conscription of Rohingya may amount to human trafficking and should be urgently addressed.”