Underreported Genocide: Rohingya Under Arakan Army Propaganda – OpEd

Overlooked Global Conflicts

Many ongoing conflicts around the world are receiving limited media coverage, with global attention focused predominantly on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war. However, other severe crises are unfolding, including the civil war in Myanmar and the Rohingya genocide, which seem to be overlooked.

While global media recently marked the 7th anniversary of the Rohingya genocide, it’s essential to ask whether the focus should solely be on commemorating the atrocities that happened seven years ago or if more attention should be directed toward the current plight of the Rohingya to prevent the more devastating situation? Are they still suffering from displacement, persecution, and genocide? And how is the ongoing civil war in Myanmar affecting their lives? Should the international community and media outlets prioritize coverage of the Rohingya’s ongoing struggle and the civil war, which continues to devastate lives across Myanmar, instead of concentrating on past events?   

Distinct Crises, Shared Suffering

It is neither fair nor ethical to compare the suffering of one group of victims to another, as every conflict and humanitarian crisis carries its unique horrors and complexities. This article does not intend to weigh the plight of the Rohingya against that of the Gazans. The nature of these conflicts, the devastation they have caused, and the vulnerability of their victims are distinct. Both groups have endured profound suffering, but how these crises are brought to the world’s attention by the victims themselves is different. One key issue is the accessibility of victim groups to global media platforms to raise their concerns and share their stories directly. The conflict in Gaza and the broader Israel-Palestine issue have historically received widespread media attention, bringing out solid international reactions and mobilizing solidarity campaigns. 

Gazans, while deeply vulnerable, have been able to bring their plight to the global consciousness, in part due to the sustained media coverage of Al-Jazeera from the inside of Gaza strips and the support of Muslim communities and civil society groups worldwide. For instance, in Gaza, many local Palestinian journalists, such as those from Al-Jazeera, continue to cover events on the ground, even at significant personal risk. These journalists offer firsthand accounts of the conflict, ensuring that the world remains informed about the humanitarian crisis within the strip. Despite the ongoing blockade and immense challenges, international humanitarian organizations and some media outlets still manage to reach Gaza with limited access, facilitating the flow of information and aid. This continuous media presence allows the voices of Gazans to be amplified, giving the victims a platform to share their suffering and concerns directly with the global audience. 

Media and Accessibility for Rohingya Genocide

In contrast, the situation for the Rohingya in Myanmar, particularly in areas like Maungdaw and Buthidaung in Rakhine State, is far more restricted. There are no professional journalists or trained media personnel from within the Rohingya community to provide coverage of the atrocities they face.

The information flow depends mainly on citizen journalism by Rohingya – who risk their lives documenting and sharing what is happening in their communities. This reliance on untrained civilians creates significant challenges in verifying reports and limits the reach of their stories in the global media. 

Escalating Conflict in Rakhine State

The Rohingya crisis has been compounded by the actions of armed rebel groups like the Arakan Army (AA), which has intensified conflict in Rakhine State. The AA has attempted to seize control of critical towns like Maungdaw and Buthidaung, leading to further instability and violence in these regions. During these offensives, many Rohingya neighborhoods have been set ablaze, displacing even more people who were already living in vulnerable conditions.

Recently, a Rohingya woman who fled to Bangladesh shared on CNN how AA soldiers raped her and killed her husband. While there are many accusations that the AA is driving out Rohingya communities from these cities and more Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, information is scarce, and the lack of media presence inside Rakhine state makes it difficult to fully understand the scale of the destruction and the motivations behind it. Meanwhile, Rakhine media personnel are openly threatening on social media that Rohingya-majority areas like Maungdaw in Rakhine state will face conditions similar to those in Gaza. 

Misinformation and Bias in Reporting

In addition, there are concerns about bias in certain major local media outlets, which have been criticized for spreading misleading information and propaganda. For example, the publication recently of an interview with the chief of (AA) with The Irrawaddy News, during which he made several false claims, including accusing a Muslim-owned construction company, Naing Group, of being associated with the Rohingya ethnic group. He went further to allege that this company was behind the creation of ARSA, a Rohingya militant group supposedly formed to counterbalance the growing influence of the Tatmadaw and AA in Rakhine State. According to well-known facts, the Naing Group is not connected to the Rohingya community at all. Many people from Yangon, where the company is based, are aware that the board of directors of Naing Group is not of Rohingya descent; they are, in fact, from Mon State, a completely different ethnic group in Myanmar. Following the spread of these false allegations, the company was forced to issue a public statement clarifying the ethnic background of its board members, highlighting that none of them are Rohingya.

The National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG) must unequivocally condemn the Arakan Army’s atrocities against the Rohingya. By failing to do so, the NUG risks repeating the same mistakes made by the previous National League for Democracy (NLD) government under Aung San Suu Kyi’s de facto leadership. Such a stance could severely damage the NUG’s international legitimacy during the Myanmar democratic revolution. 

Manipulation of Information in Conflict Zones

The fact that even public information, such as the ethnic background of a company’s leadership, can be so grossly misrepresented by local media outlets is deeply concerning. Suppose such basic facts can be twisted or misreported. In that case, it raises serious questions about the credibility of information being disseminated about the situation in conflict zones like Rakhine State, where independent media access is severely restricted and the Rohingya population is vulnerable. With no independent media present to verify reports, there is a legitimate concern that the AA may be distorting the reality of what is happening in Rohingya-populated areas. These false narratives not only exacerbate the plight of the Rohingya but also fuel dangerous misinformation that can further marginalize and target the already persecuted group. 

Another critical concern is the absence of international civil servants (third-party witnesses) and independent journalists in Rakhine State, especially when compared to the ongoing presence of UN officials in Gaza. This lack of third-party witnesses (non-Rakhine and Rohingya) and reliable reporting may allow armed groups like the Arakan Army (AA) or Tatmadaw to manipulate public perception, distorting the true nature of the violence in the region. 

Need for Focused Global Attention

This is particularly alarming given that the Rohingya genocide is currently under trial at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and recent Mizzima editorials questioning whether the situation could be labeled “Genocide 2.0” raises concerns about a new phase of persecution. Unlike the existence of Al-Jazeera and third-party witnesses in Gaza, there are no international media outlets inside Buthidaung and Maungdaw, and it is not fair to say that all the evidence is not enough to say AA is not responsible for this atrocity.

AA must allow third-party organizations like the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M), or independent media to enter the AA control area for fact-finding. The global community and media outlets must shift focus not only to commemorate past atrocities but also to address the ongoing crises affecting the Rohingya and the broader Myanmar population. A lack of media coverage, compounded by misinformation and limited access to conflict zones, has left the Rohingya genocide underreported. As Myanmar’s civil war continues to devastate lives, more attention is urgently needed to ensure that the Rohingya’s current plight is recognized and meaningful action is taken to prevent further suffering.