2/24/26, 11:05 AM World Report 2026: Myanmar | Human Rights Watch Rohingya DONATE NOW The Myanmar military has long subjected ethnic Rohingya to atrocity crimes, including the ongoing crimes against humanity of apartheid, persecution, and deprivation of liberty. Since late 2023, Rohingya civilians have been caught in the fighting between the junta and ethnic Arakan Army forces in Rakhine State. Both parties have carried out grave abuses, including extrajudicial killings, widespread arson, and unlawful recruitment. The Arakan Army, which now controls most of Rakhine State, has ramped up oppressive measures against Rohingya in northern Rakhine State, including forced labor and arbitrary detention. Arakan Army restrictions on livelihoods and agriculture, compounded by extortion and exorbitant prices, have exacerbated already severe food shortages and the junta’s blockade on aid, in place since late 2023. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and other Rohingya armed groups—after fighting alongside the Myanmar military in 2024—are again deploying fighters in clashes against the Arakan Army in northern Rakhine State. The conflict has internally displaced over 400,000 people in Rakhine and southern Chin States and forced at least 150,000 Rohingya to flee into Bangladesh since late 2023. From January to November 2025, an estimated 5,600 Rohingya attempted dangerous boat journeys from Myanmar and Bangladesh seeking refuge in third countries; more than 820 died or went missing. On November 20, junta authorities detained over 500 Rohingya after intercepting their boat off the coast of Rakhine State. Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Military personnel have frequently been responsible for sexual and gender-based violence during conflict and against people in detention, including rape, gang rape, sexual enslavement, sexual torture, sexual mutilation, and forced nudity. Perpetrators act with impunity and survivors lack access to needed services. Following the March earthquake, women and girls faced increased risk of gender-based violence, with little to no access to humanitarian services, protection, or redress. We useSection cookies, technologies, anda third-party 377 tracking of the penal code, drawn from British colonial-era law, criminalizes same-sex sexual behavior, embedding discrimination againstthe sexual and gender minorities. analytics tools to better understand who is using website and improve your experience. By using our website you are Resource Extraction agreeing to this. Read our privacy policy to find out what cookies are used for and how to change your settings. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2026/country-chapters/myanmar?utm_source=chatgpt.com 5/8