Fortify Rights Calls on Arakan Army to End Use of Forced Labour in Rakhine State
- Arakan Now
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Arakan Now | 23 October 2025
Human rights organization Fortify Rights has urged the Arakan Army (AA) to immediately end the use of forced labor against Rohingya, Hindu, and other minority communities in Rakhine State.
In a statement released on October 22, the group said survivors described being forced to work under dangerous and inhumane conditions, including carrying ammunition, digging trenches, and constructing military structures. Those who refused allegedly faced threats of beatings, detention, and even execution.
“The Arakan Army cannot claim to be liberating the people of Rakhine from the military junta while exploiting them through forced labor,” said Yap Lay Sheng, Senior Human Rights Specialist at Fortify Rights. “It must cease these abusive practices immediately, stop subjecting ethnic minorities to forced labor, and release all civilians who are detained and forced to work.”
The organization called on the Arakan Army to ensure the protection of civilians and uphold international human rights standards.
Read the full statement from Fortify Rights here.
