Northern Rakhine Research Articles

Healthcare workers’ perspectives on trauma and mental health access for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar

BackgroundIn August 2017, the Rohingya population of northern Rakhine State in Myanmar fled to Bangladesh following “clearance operations” by the Myanmar security forces that were characterized by widespread and systematic violence, constituting severe human rights violations. The “clearance operations” were preceded by years of consistent denial of the human rights of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. This study examines the impact of these human rights violations on the trauma experiences of Rohingya survivors, their resulting mental health, and the availability and access to post-migration mental health services.MethodsQualitative one-on-one interviews were conducted with 26 health care professionals who cared for Rohingya refugees after their arrival in Bangladesh.ResultsTrauma experienced by the Rohingya spanned the period before, during, and following migration and was ongoing at the time of data collection. The impact of Rohingya survivors’ concurrent grief and trauma in relation to the violence they experienced in Myanmar as well as during and after their journey to Bangladesh that, at times, exacerbated survivors’ trauma presentation. There were limited mental health services available in Bangladesh and additional structural and procedural barriers to care that limited responsiveness to Rohingya survivors’ mental health needs.ConclusionThe Rohingya experienced traumatic human rights violations in Myanmar that led to their forced migration to Bangladesh. The Rohingya continued to experience trauma during their forced migration to Bangladesh and were exposed to additional stressors in the post-migration settings in refugee camps, including lack of access to adequate mental health services. These experiences have resulted in a spectrum of stress-and trauma-related symptoms. These findings show the mental health impact of protracted human rights violations on the Rohingya, revealing how trauma is not a singular event but a continuous experience. Detailing the limited mental health infrastructure and structural barriers facing Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the findings underscore the urgent need for trauma-informed interventions that address the complex psychological consequences of systemic violence and displacement. The findings emphasize the critical importance of holistic mental health support in refugee settings, providing evidence-based recommendations for the public health and humanitarian sector to consider when designing programs to address the mental health and psychosocial support needs of sexual violence survivors living in conditions of displacement.

Analysis and Risk Evaluation of Soil Microplastics in the Rohingya Refugee Camp Area, Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Study

The global concern over the pollution-induced by microplastics (MPs) has intensified due to its adverse effects on the environment, particularly in terrestrial ecosystems, where it poses potential threats to soil quality and resident species. However, there is a noticeable research gap regarding soil MPs in dumping sites, specifically within the Rohingya Refugee Camp (RRC), the world's largest humanitarian crisis located in Bangladesh. The main objective of this study is to assess soil MPs' abundance, spatial distribution, and inherent risks in the RRC. The investigation involved extracting MPs from ten soil sampling sites in Kutupalong RRC, home to Rohingya refugees who sought refuge in Bangladesh following the 2017 ethnic atrocities in Northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. Stereomicroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed for identification purposes. The concentration of MPs in the study area varied from 67 to 126 (items/kg) (dry weight), with a mean concentration of 103.80 ± 20.671 (items/kg). MPs with sizes <0.5mm constituted the majority at 83%, with fragments (68%) being the prevailing shape, and transparent (63%) as the most abundant color. Predominant polymers included polyethylene (53%) and polypropylene (46%). Negative correlations were observed between MP abundance and pH and moisture content (p<0.05), while a positive correlation was found between MP abundance and organic matter. PCA results suggested that human-induced inappropriate waste and air deposition are the primary sources of soil MP pollution. Contamination factor values suggested moderate pollution with MPs in the study area. According to the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the area was classified as pollution grade II, signifying 'uncontaminated to moderately contaminated.' However, pollutant load index and potential ecological risk index indicated Hazard Level-I and Pollution Grade-I, respectively. This study illuminates the contamination scenario with MPs, underscoring concerns for eco-environmental safety and providing crucial data for future investigations into MPs in terrestrial dumping habitats.

Search for Durable Solution to the Rohingya Refugee Crisis in Bangladesh

Abstract The Rohingya, a Muslim minority living mainly in the northern Rakhine state of Myanmar, are considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, despite the fact that they have settled in Myanmar for hundreds of years. Myanmar recognized 135 ethnic groups under the 1982 Citizenship Act which excludes the Rohingya as an ethnic group in Myanmar and they became stateless. Myanmar Security Forces have committed grave violation of human rights against Rohingya. The latest attack in 2017 was more heinous than in 1978, 1992, and 2012. As of June 2018, The Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh was portrayed as a protracted refugee situation. In many protracted refugee situations, a durable solution such as local integration, resettlement and voluntary repatriations needed to be implemented to end the prolonged displacement. The aim of this paper is to discuss the most feasible durable solutions to be implemented to repatriate Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

Detrital zircon provenance record of the northern shelf in the Rakhine Basin, Bay of Bengal

The Cenozoic strata in the Rakhine Basin play a crucial role in hydrocarbon exploration; however, the provenance of these sedimentary rocks remains poorly investigated. In this study, we employed detrital zircon geochronology and geochemistry in the northern Rakhine shelf to investigate the provenance of sedimentary rocks and, combined with the previous studies, to identify their spatial and temporal variations and to elucidate the provenance evolution since the middle Miocene. The geochemical results of the zircons indicate that the primary source rocks of the sedimentary rocks are magmatic and metasedimentary rocks, particularly those of continental arc and post-collision granites. The origin of these rocks can be attributed to the Gangdese arc magmatic belt in the north, as well as the Indo-Burma Ranges in the east. The sedimentary rocks in the northern Rakhine yield zircon U-Pb age peaks primarily at 0–150 Ma, 400–600 Ma, 600–1000 Ma, and 1600–2100 Ma, with minor populations at 150–400 Ma and >2100 Ma. The detrital zircon provenance study shows that the zircons in the Miocene sedimentary rocks were primarily derived from the paleo-Brahmaputra River, with contributions ranging from 68.7% to 77.0%. During the Pliocene, the paleo-Brahmaputra River and the Chittagong-Tripura Fold Belt were the most significant sediment suppliers. Since the early Pleistocene, the northern Rakhine coastal region has played a significant role in their composition. The Brahmaputra River was the predominant contributor to upper Pleistocene rocks, and the Rakhine coastal region's contribution to the shelf intensified throughout the Pleistocene. In conjunction with regional tectonic evolution, our study underscores the importance of the Indian Plate subduction as a pivotal factor influencing the provenance transitions in the northeastern Bay of Bengal.

Health and Wellbeing of Conflict and Disaster-Affected Population in Cox’s Bazar. Bangladesh

Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, and northern Rakhine State, Myanmar, are two protracted humanitarian crises that are interconnected. A number of donor interventions are aimed at facilitating community resilience and social cohesion, both within the camps and in the host communities. This study aims to assess the progress and effectiveness of an activity based on an information base and establish benchmarks for impact evaluation. In order to conduct the study, both quantitative and qualitative survey techniques were used. A representative sample size was determined for a quantitative survey, including potential qualitative interview participants. For data collection, we used a structured questionnaire, a semi-structured interview guideline, and an unstructured topic guide. We used mostly descriptive statistics with a few inferential tests for our analysis. The triangulation work was developed with information from both methods to draw a credible conclusion. Based on the results, most of the community's health conditions are improving, which confirms the concept of prevention. In terms of vulnerability indices, the highest majority seemed not as much vulnerable as their family had much aware about the traumatize/stress condition. Pregnant/Lactating Women (PLW) were not pronounced as burden by their families as majority of them made visitation for 4 ANC check-up across the study areas. The knowledge level of prevent communicable diseases were found in optimum level in all study areas. An adequate number of beneficiaries responded that malnutrition was screened and diagnosing properly and referred them in time. Moreover, sufferings from psychological issues were found common in FDMN community. In participants’ discussion, It is emphasized that adolescent should be needs of different support and information to cope up with the changes. The study concluded that significant proportion respondents have confirmed about the knowledge of preventive measures, which they learnt mainly from available service provisions. However, it is implied of introducing improve adolescent health services including an adequate supply of necessary of hygiene kits.

The Rohingya genocide and lessons learned from Myanmar's Spring Revolution

On Aug 25, 2017, Myanmar military forces under army General Min Aung Hlaing launched a military campaign in northern Rakhine State. In a survey by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) shortly after the attacks,1 village leaders shared stories of what happened to them. Between June 24, 2017, and the day of the attacks, 555 (92%) of 604 village leaders described meetings convened by military, border guard police, or government representatives that included direct threats to villagers and descriptions of violence in other villages.

Oral Health Status and Quality of Life Among Rohingya Refugee- A Cross Sectional Study at Kelambakkam, Chennai

The Rohingya people are a minority who live mainly in northern Rakhine State (formerly Arakan) in Myanmar and are said to be one of the most persecuted ethnic minorities in the world. They describe themselves as descendants of Arab merchants who settled in the area many generations ago. They have been persecuted in their home state of Rakhine in Myanmar because they deny citizenship. They have crossed the border into neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, for escaping extreme violence against ethnic and religious minorities, where about a million people reside. reside in Cox's Bazar district. Refugee camps are overcrowded with poor sanitation, meaning they pose a health risk, and dental health is no exception and is often overlooked. Oral health professionals are unable to deal with these deal problems due to their different cultures. The article aims to assess oral health status and quality of life among Rohingya refugees in Kelambakkam, Chennai. An operated administered pre-tested questionnaire specially designed for this purpose was used. Demographic information, Dentition status, Periodontal Status of adults and children were recorded for the Rohingya Refugee at Kelambakkam, Chennai. Caries prevalence was found to be 84.8% among adults aged 15 years and above. Periodontal disease with gingival bleeding was present among 57.6%. Caries prevalence was found to be 50% among children under the age of 15 years. Gingival bleeding was found to be highly significantly correlated with functional limitation, physical pain, and psychological discomfort. The most common dental problems were gingival or periodontal problems, dental caries, and decayed teeth, highlighting the need for a comprehensive dental care program. However, the Government should take more measures to advocate dental health policies and treatment of refugees and implement strategies

Consistency of reports of violence from northern Rakhine state in August 2017

BackgroundIn August 2017, Myanmar’s Armed Forces, the Tatmadaw, launched an orchestrated attack on hundreds of Rohingya-majority villages in northern Rakhine state. This study seeks to validate the consistency of previous reports of violence against the Rohingya people in the region carried out by the Tatmadaw, Border Guard Police, and Rakhine villagers in the late summer and early fall of 2017.MethodsInternal validation data is from a three-armed study. Data analyzed in the external triangulation was sourced through a literature review of known, publicly available surveys and interviews. Both sets of data documented instances of violence against the Rohingya people in northern Rakhine state during the late summer and early fall of 2017. Consistency was evaluated across five indicators of violence: arson, presence of mass graves, reports of sexual violence and human injuries, as well as human fatalities, across 611 locales in northern Rakhine state. Further analysis was conducted to measure consistency of reports by locale and across locales by indicator.ResultsOverall, an internal validation of 94 hamlets found that 98% of these locales were consistent across at least four of the five indicators (80% + consistency). Arson and reports of human injuries were the most consistent indicators across locales (100% and 99% consistency, respectively) and sexual violence was the least consistent indicator, with 84% of participating locales exhibiting consistent reports of sexual violence between the qualitative and quantitative data. Similarly, an external validation of 57 locations found that 50 of the 57 locations (88%) were consistent across indicators. Arson was the most consistent across sources (96%), whereas source agreement across locations was the least consistent for reports of sexual violence (58%).ConclusionThe government of Myanmar has denied involvement in the 2017 attacks on Rohingya communities in northern Rakhine state and purports that reports of the violence and destruction are overstated. However, consistent reporting from multiple sources on the same locales clearly underscores the veracity of the evidence documented, both by investigative groups and as recounted by Rohingya survivors of violence. It is our hope that this cataloging and comparison of available data, along with this study’s assessment of its consistency, will aid ongoing accountability efforts.

\u201cMost of the cases are very similar.\u201d: Documenting and corroborating conflict-related sexual violence affecting Rohingya refugees

BackgroundIn August 2017, a large population of Rohingya from northern Rakhine state in Myanmar fled to Bangladesh due to “clearance operations” by the Myanmar security forces characterized by widespread and systematic violence, including extensive conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). This study sought to document the patterns of injuries and conditions experienced by the Rohingya, with a specific focus on sexual violence.MethodsQualitative interviews were conducted with 26 health care professionals who cared for Rohingya refugees after their arrival in Bangladesh between November 2019 and August 2020.ResultsHealth care workers universally reported hearing accounts and seeing evidence of sexual and gender-based violence committed against Rohingya people of all genders by the Myanmar military and security forces. They observed physical and psychological consequences of such acts against the Rohingya while patients were seeking care. Health care workers shared that patients faced pressure not to disclose their experiences of CRSV, likely resulted in an underreporting of the prevalence of sexual violence. Forced witnessing of sexual violence and observed increases in pregnancy and birth rates as a result of rape are two less-reported issues that emerged from these data.ConclusionsHealthcare workers corroborated previous reports that the Rohingya experienced CRSV at the hands of the Myanmar military and security forces. Survivors often revealed their experiences of sexual violence while seeking care for a variety of physical and psychological conditions. Stigma, cultural pressure, and trauma created barriers to disclosing experiences of sexual violence and likely resulted in an underreporting of the prevalence of sexual violence. The findings of this research emphasize the importance of offering universal and comprehensive trauma-informed services to all refugees with the presumption of high rates of trauma in this population and many survivors who may never identify themselves as such.

Seeking justice amidst chaos: methods to identify and document individuals implicated in crimes against the Rohingya in August 2017

BackgroundDocumenting perpetrators of human rights violations enables effective prosecution and can help prevent future atrocities. Doing so calls for collecting reliable data using verifiable and transparent methodology. We present methods used to document crimes and identify alleged perpetrators implicated in the 2017 attacks against Rohingya civilians in Myanmar. The findings and lessons-learned have relevance to contemporary crises with widespread atrocities.MethodsA mixed-methods assessment conducted from May to July 2018 included: (1) cross-sectional quantitative surveys among leaders of affected hamlets in northern Rakhine State, (2) qualitative interviews to record hamlet-level accounts, and (3) clinical evaluations of survivors of violence. Survey respondents who reported violence and destruction in each hamlet were asked to identify perpetrators of those acts, including known role or affiliation. The reported names were reviewed for clarity and divergent spellings, repeated references were aggregated, and the names and roles were analyzed and classified by location and affiliation.Results143 individuals were implicated in atrocities committed across three Northern Rakhine townships. Each was independently identified by at least three separate survey respondents as directly committing violence or destruction in their hamlet of origin, or as witnessed while fleeing to Bangladesh. Two-thirds (69%) of identified perpetrators were reported by four or more participants and 47% by five or more. Some form of additional identifying information, was provided for 85% of names. The most common affiliations were: Myanmar army (n = 40), Border Guard Police (n = 32), Village Tract Administrators (n = 17), and extremists (n = 25).ConclusionsThe methodology presented here yielded a unique record of individuals purported to have directly committed acts of violence and destruction in Rakhine State in August 2017, forming the most extensive record of individuals implicated in ground-level perpetration of those crimes. This methodology can play a key role in accountability mechanisms for the Rohingya, and in other settings in which perpetrators are many and documentation of their crimes is difficult. The use of survey methods and standardized data collection amongst affected populations to comprehensively characterize crimes committed and to identify individuals implicated in those crimes can serve as a key tool in documentation and an important component of accountability.

Far-stretching Strategy of Myanmar Junta to Forcefully Displace the Rohingya: Bangladesh, Regional and International Responses

The world continues to see large refugee flows, and the challenges comprising these population migrations are anticipated to become increasingly complicated as a result of rising social, economic, ethnic and especially religious conflicts. In the south-east Asia, this problem has become acute with Rohingya refugees. Northern Rakhine State in Myanmar is predominantly Buddhist and authoritarian despite a majority Arakan Muslim population and a minority Rakhine Buddhist population. Exclusionary citizenship laws and military actions against Arakanese Muslims, often known as Rohingyas, have forced them to depart Myanmar and seek refuge in Bangladesh. This circumstance pictured the inhuman role of the material world to the persecuted Rohingya refugees. The manuscript aimed at delineating Myanmar’s long-term oppressive and illegal strategy of dislocating Rohingya, and the attitude of the host-state Bangladesh, the regional and global superpowers, and instruments in this respect. The short article is designed in accordance with the qualitative method where information has been collected from different sources predominantly from scholarly articles. The manuscript has also suggested that the buzzword ”Rohingya issue” can be solved only if the Sino-Indian mutual understanding takes liberal steps with neutral support towards Bangladesh and Myanmar including asylum-seeker Rohingya refugees

Myanmar Military Forces Atrocities Against the Rohingya under International Criminal Law

The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority group living in northern Rakhine State, Western Myanmar, are considered among the most persecuted minorities in the world. The Rohingya People have been subjected to a variety of significant violations and human rights abuses as a result of their lack of citizenship. They are victims of a series of massacres and inhumane treatment committed by Myanmar military forces, such murder, kidnapping, rape, force labour, torture, extrajudicial executions, restrictions on movements, forced eviction and house and land destruction. In the previous ten years, several crackdowns on the Rohingya people in Rakhine have caused them to flee to neighboring countries. This article examines the atrocities committed by Myanmar military forces against the Rohingya people under international law, notably from the standpoint of international criminal law definition of crimes against humanity

The Road Not Taken: Failure to Protect from Atrocity Crimes in Myanmar

In 2005, more than 150 heads of State and government pledged that the world must never witness another Rwanda. They accepted the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) both their own populations, and those of other States from atrocity crimes. Yet, in late August 2017, thousands of Rohingya had to flee from the alleged genocide taking place in their home, northern Rakhine in Myanmar. The international community, equipped with a toolbox developed and refined over the past 12 years, does nothing more than politely asking Myanmar to stop. This begs the question: to what extent can the Responsibility to Protect doctrine be used to save the Rohingya from atrocities committed against them? This article explores the potential application of the R2P in the context of Myanmar by exploring the root causes of the alleged genocide, the legal status of the R2P and various options open to the international community to protect the Rohingya. The case is made that applying the R2P – in its current shape and form – would be in the best interest of the Rohingya. After all, the international community cannot stand by in the wake of another mass atrocity.

Role of India in Rohingya Crisis: Humanitarian Role and Geopolitical Interest

Globally considered one of the most persecuted minority groups, the Rohingyas are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group in northern Rakhine who have fled Myanmar in a large-scale exodus since August 2017. More than 700,000 refugees fled to Bangladesh after a military crackdown on Rohingyas last August, following the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army’s attack on Myanmar’s military posts. This massive refugee outflow of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar into Bangladesh has created a humanitarian crisis that carries implications on regional stability and security and also outrage among the international community. As a neighbor country, Bangladesh expects India’s respond promptly to support the government. This paper briefly examines India’s approach towards the Roh-ingya crisis and explores ways for India through its role in humanitarian and geopolitical including diplomatic, domestic political compulsions, security and economic interest. It also analyses India’s response to the Rohingya crisis focusing on India-Myanmar relations and also India’s need to counter China’s growing influence in its neighborhood. The paper also argues that as a neighbor friend and partner of Bangladesh, the role of India in Rohingya crisis has become a global expectation for peace and conflict resolution.

Role of India in Rohingya Crisis: Humanitarian Role and Geopolitical Interest

Globally considered one of the most persecuted minority groups, the Rohingyas are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group in northern Rakhine who have fled Myanmar in a large-scale exodus since August 2017. More than 700,000 refugees fled to Bangladesh after a military crackdown on Rohingyas last August, following the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army’s attack on Myanmar’s military posts. This massive refugee outflow of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar into Bangladesh has created a humanitarian crisis that carries implications on regional stability and security and also outrage among the international community. As a neighbor country, Bangladesh expects India’s respond promptly to support the government. This paper briefly examines India’s approach towards the Roh-ingya crisis and explores ways for India through its role in humanitarian and geopolitical including diplomatic, domestic political compulsions, security and economic interest. It also analyses India’s response to the Rohingya crisis focusing on India-Myanmar relations and also India’s need to counter China’s growing influence in its neighborhood. The paper also argues that as a neighbor friend and partner of Bangladesh, the role of India in Rohingya crisis has become a global expectation for peace and conflict resolution.

Some intertidal gastropods and bivalves of Thae Chaung Coastal area in Northern Rakhine state of Myanmar

Rakhine Coastal Region has a rich diversity of marine life with fisheries. However, there is no publication of basic information of marine bivalves and gastropods such as identification and ecological habitats in Thae Chaung intertidal water, northen Rakhine Coastal Region. The current research on marine mollusks was conducted and emphasize on small geographical area of Thae Chaung intertidal area in December 2019. A total of 11 species belonging to 5 orders, 8 families and 11 genera of gastropods and 6 species belonging to 4 orders, 4 families and 5 genera of bivalves reported from study area were reported. This research paper describes the identification of some economic importance of marine mollusks from Thae Chaung intertidal water in northern Rakhine Coastal Region.

Characteristics and Impacts of Sexual Violence Against Men and Boys in Conflict and Displacement: A Multicountry Exploratory Study.

Evidence of sexual violence against men and boys in many conflict-affected settings is increasingly recognized. Yet relatively little is currently known about the varied forms, sites, and impacts of this violence. Further, scant research on sexual violence against men and boys in displacement contexts has been undertaken to date. To begin to address these knowledge gaps, we undertook a multicountry, qualitative, exploratory study to gain insights into these issues. Study settings and populations were Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh; refugees and migrants who had traveled through Libya residing in Italy; and refugees from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, and South Sudan residing in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya. Methods included 55 semi-structured focus group discussions with 310 refugees and semi-structured key informant interviews with 148 aid workers and human rights experts. Data were thematically analyzed using NVivo 12. Findings suggest that sexual violence against men and boys may not be rare in Myanmar (northern Rakhine state), Libya, eastern DRC, and South Sudan. Frequently reported forms of violence in these settings were genital violence, forced witnessing of sexual violence, and rape. Sites where violence was often reported included border crossings, along the roadside, and during imprisonment. In host countries, forms of sexual violence included sexual abuse of boys, sexual exploitation particularly of adolescents and persons with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity, and rape. Impacts on survivors involved short- and long-term physical, mental, economic, and familial dimensions. These findings aim to inform sexual violence-related prevention, mitigation, and response efforts in humanitarian settings. More research is warranted, including on sexual violence against men and boys in Somalia, sexual violence by family and community members in conflict and displacement settings, sexual exploitation of adolescent boys, and sexual violence including sexual exploitation of persons with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity.

Hybridity, National Identity, and the Smartphone in the Contemporary Union of Myanmar

Hybridity, National Identity, and the Smartphone in the Contemporary Union of Myanmar

Scarred Heart: A Case Series

Introduction: As of February 2018, around 900,000 Rohingyans have fled to Bangladesh to seek refuge – 80% of which were women and children.1 From satellite analyses, at least 288 villages were destroyed by fire in northern Rakhine since August 2017.2 As a tertiary medical facility catering to these refugees, the Malaysian Field Hospital (MFH) has attended to a myriad of diseases both physical and mental. The most challenging yet are burn injuries with deformities.Case 1: As a result of being torched alive, a Rohingyan woman was left with facial burns that caused visual and eating difficulties. Her scars had disfigured her so badly that her own children were terrified to look her in the face. Nonetheless, she persevered through her daily living.Case 2: A young boy who lost his father in a military attack sustained burn injuries to his left hand while escaping his burning house. As a result, he sustained a fixed deformity and total loss of function to the hand. Surgical intervention is due, however functional recovery is slim.Case 3: A young girl who sustained permanent contractures to her left foot came for treatment with MFH after many years of living with the disability. Fortunately for her, MFH was able to offer surgical intervention so she was able to regain function of her left foot.Discussion &amp; Conclusion: While many are aware of the world’s fastest-growing humanitar ia n crisis, its origin, details and aftermath are scantily exposed. Burmese journalists have been pressured and their press freedom undermined by bureaucratic threats, budget constraints and difficult visa approvals for on-site reporting in Bangladesh.3 Volunteers should therefore share their experiences to raise awareness on the dire situation faced by refugees. However, while social media serves as a great platform to spread awareness, one has to be mindful of the refugee’s privacy and consent should be sought especially when photos and identities are shared.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2019 Page: 56

Documentation of human rights abuses among Rohingya refugees from Myanmar

BackgroundDecades of persecution culminated in a statewide campaign of organized, systematic, and violent eviction of the Rohingya people by the Myanmar government beginning in August 2017. These attacks included the burning of homes and farms, beatings, shootings, sexual violence, summary executions, burying the dead in mass graves, and other atrocities. The Myanmar government has denied any responsibility. To document evidence of reported atrocities and identify patterns, we interviewed survivors, documented physical injuries, and assessed for consistency in their reports.MethodsWe use purposive and snowball sampling to identify survivors residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Interviews and examinations were conducted by trained investigators with the assistance of interpreters based on the Istanbul Protocol – the international standard to investigate and document instances of torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. The goal was to assess whether the clinical findings corroborate survivors’ narratives and to identify emblematic patterns.ResultsDuring four separate field visits between December 2017 and July 2018, we interviewed and where relevant, conducted physical examinations on a total of 114 refugees. The participants came from 36 villages in Northern Rakhine state; 36 (32%) were female, 26 (23%) were children. Testimonies described several patterns in the violence prior to their flight, including the organization of the attacks, the involvement of non-Rohingya civilians, the targeted and purposeful destruction of homes and eviction of Rohingya residents, and the denial of medical care. Physical findings included injuries from gunshots, blunt trauma, penetrating trauma such as slashings and mutilations, burns, and explosives and from sexual and gender-based violence.ConclusionsWhile each survivor’s experience was unique, similarities in the types and organization of attacks support allegations of a systematic, widespread, and premeditated campaign of forced displacement and violence. Physical findings were consistent with survivors’ narratives of violence and brutality. These findings warrant accountability for the Myanmar military per the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has jurisdiction to try individuals for serious international crimes, including crimes against humanity and genocide. Legal accountability for these crimes should be pursued along with medical and psychological care and rehabilitation to address the ongoing effects of violence, discrimination, and displacement.