August 1, 2012

“The Government Could Have Stopped This”

Sectarian Violence and Ensuing Abuses in Burma’s Arakan State

Map of Northern Arakan State
Summary and Key Recommendations
Methodology
I. Background
II. Violence in Arakan State since June 2012
III. Human Rights Violations by State Security Forces
Government Failure to Protect Victims of Sectarian Violence
Rohingya Violence against Arakan
Arakan Violence against Rohingya
Collusion between Arakan and Local Security Forces
Killings by Security Forces
Mass Arrests of Rohingya
Excessive or Unnecessary Use of Force by Security Forces
Religious Rights Violations
Violations of Property Rights, Forced Relocations, and Returns of Displaced Persons
Property Destruction
Forced Relocations
Challenges to Returns
IV. Humanitarian Concerns
Access to Food and Restrictions on Movement
Risks to Humanitarian Relief: Local Resentment and Threats
V. Denial of Citizenship Rights to Rohingya
VI. Forced Returns from Bangladesh
VII. Recommendations
Acknowledgements
Appendix: Translation Pamphlets Advocating for Separation of the Communities