A recent incident at Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp on May 20th saw over 1,000 refugees, mostly women, protesting against the forced conscription of Rohingya youths. Several Rohingya men and teenage boys have been abducted from refugee camps in Bangladesh and sent to Myanmar, according to rights groups. Armed Rohingya insurgent groups in Bangladesh are sending youths across the border for conscription by Myanmar’s military.
Rohingya used as ‘human shields’
Community leader Htway Lwin revealed that Rohingya conscripts are being used as human shields on the front lines against the Arakan Army. The Myanmar military is facing opposition from different ethnic rebel groups, leading to forced conscription. Thousands of civilians have been killed, and displaced people in Myanmar have exceeded 3 million, including Rohingya.
In a bid to replenish troops, the junta activated a conscription law, leading to the abduction of Rohingya men and boys. The conscription of Rohingya by both sides in the war increases the risks faced by the community in Myanmar.
‘No one wants this life as a soldier’
Rohingya conscripts express reluctance to fight in Myanmar’s military, citing lack of training and fear of being sent to the front lines. The junta’s actions have sparked protests and forced families to pay hefty sums to avoid conscription.
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Indonesia picks up dozens of Rohingya refugees in dramatic sea rescue
Indonesia picks up dozens of Rohingya refugees in dramatic sea rescue
The plight of the Rohingya community in Myanmar worsens as they become pawns in the ongoing conflict between the military and ethnic rebel groups. The international community must step up to hold the perpetrators accountable and protect the rights of the Rohingya.
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