Global Khumi Organization reveals Arakan Narco Army (AA) of Severe Human Rights Violations in Chin State, Myanmar
Yangon, Myanmar (12th June 2024)
The ethnic Chin organization, Global Khumi Organization (GKO), has announced that the Arakan Army (AA) has been committing numerous crimes, including sexual violence resulting in pregnancies, in the Paletwa Township, Chin State, Myanmar. The GKO reports that the AA has been perpetrating human rights violations since 2015, during the National League for Democracy (NLD) government and continues to do so under their current administration.
The GKO alleges that the AA is heavily involved in drug trafficking in the region, exacerbating local issues. Since their arrival in Paletwa in 2015, the AA has been implicated in several heinous acts, such as:
- Abduction and torture leading to death and dismemberment of Members of Parliament, village heads, and youth leaders.
- Repeated sexual assaults on women, including minors, with victims being released after becoming six months pregnant.
- Coercion of local youth into drug use and trafficking.
The local Chin population has expressed strong opposition to the AA’s actions, staging demonstrations and voicing their discontent. The majority of locals harbor deep resentment toward the AA due to the ongoing suffering inflicted upon them.
The situation has led to significant unrest in Paletwa, an area predominantly inhabited by Chin ethnic people. The AA’s occupation has resulted in the imposition of Rakhine language use at security checkpoints, with non-compliance leading to physical punishment. Economic control has shifted, with most shops now Rakhine-owned, and customers compelled to speak Rakhine. Additionally, local villages are mandated to provide recruits for the AA, further fueling local resistance.
Human rights violations reported by the GKO include:
- Killing, torturing, arresting, and raping, including assaults on minors.
- Drug trafficking and forced relocation of Rakhine people to Chin State, which threatens the existence of the local Chin ethnic population.
- Crimes against humanity, including genocide, forced occupation of properties, and mass displacement of locals.
The GKO has called for an immediate cessation of these inhumane acts and urges international organizations and communities to investigate and take necessary actions to stop these crimes. In April 2024, the AA announced a mandatory military service for all males aged 18 to 40 in Paletwa, further intensifying local tensions.
Currently, many locals are fleeing to India and other regions due to increased pressure from the AA, which is now forcibly recruiting children under the age of 15.
The AA is committing similar atrocities against the Rohingya people in Northern Rakhine State.
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