Written By Maung Tu
War crimes and the Arakan Government
Can the Arakan People’s Government handle all war crimes committed within the Arakan region on its own? From an international perspective, it is unlikely that all war crimes would be solely handled by the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government can only handle crimes committed by its own members.
However, legally, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government cannot independently handle or take action against incidents committed by Myanmar military armed forces outside its controlled territories or by armed Muslim terrorist groups without international assistance.
The majority of the public in the Arakan region places their hopes on the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government to prevent and address war crimes.
The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government’s prevention of war crimes benefits not only the people within the Arakan region but also the broader populations of South and Southeast Asia.
From a positive perspective, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government has a responsibility to protect everyone within the Arakan region from war crimes.
This is because the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government has publicly declared itself as an organization committed to protecting all human beings within the Arakan region from war crimes.
The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government has demonstrated this commitment not only through its own statements but also in collaboration with its allies.
ULA/AA Statements
On June 24, 2019, the Arakan Army (AA) announced that it would submit records, evidence, and documentation of war crimes committed by the Myanmar military to international organizations. The statement also affirmed that the AA would collaborate with individuals and organizations that understand their cause and work towards achieving justice.
Additionally, on July 18, 2019, the Arakan Army (AA) issued a statement declaring that, while it is a revolutionary armed organization, it adheres strictly to international military law, international humanitarian law, and the Geneva Conventions during armed conflicts. The statement emphasized that the United League of Arakan (ULA) and the Arakan Army (AA) oppose extremism and are willing to cooperate with any country or organization in efforts to combat terrorism. Furthermore, the AA firmly declared that it will never collaborate with any terrorists, under any circumstances, at any time.
Since the Arakan Army (AA) began its activities in the Arakan region, it has adhered to military codes of conduct, earning the trust and support of the local population.
However, despite the public’s trust and support, some actions by certain members of the Arakan Army (AA) have been reported by the people of Arakan as having committed war crimes, which have damaged the relationship between the revolutionaries and the public.
On October 20, 2022, two members of the Arakan Army (AA) who were involved in the violent assault of a Muslim woman from the Kyaung Taung village tract in Buthidaung Township were sentenced to 20 years in prison and hard labor by a military tribunal, as confirmed by the AA’s spokesperson, Khine Thu Kha.
Accountability for war crimes by the Arakan Government
The leaders of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government are concerned that certain actions by some of its members, which violate codes of conduct, could label the government as an organization systematically committing war crimes.
Similar to other armed groups around the world, the leaders have acknowledged the existence of minor breaches of conduct by certain members of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
In an interview published on September 6, 2024, by The Diplomat, General Twan Mrat Naing, the Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army, stated, “As an authority, we must provide protection to the people. The ULA (United League of Arakan) is providing protection to all communities within its controlled territories, regardless of ethnicity or religion. If ULA engages in any unlawful actions, they are willing to present evidence and be held accountable. If ULA is acting unlawfully, we kindly request that you notify us immediately, without delay.”
This was stated in an interview with General Twan Mrat Naing, the Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army, published by The Diplomat on September 6, 2024, titled Arakan Army Commander in Chief Twan Mrat Naing on the Future of Rakhine State.
This interview was conducted during a period when the Arakan Army was achieving victories in the final stages of the conflict
However, during the battles for the capture of Buthidaung Town and Maungdaw, the international community has accused the Arakan Army of committing war crimes and human rights violations.
Therefore, General Tun Myat Naing stated in an interview with The Diplomat that, “It is certain that the Arakan Army (AA) has not committed any severe crimes against Muslims or other communities within Rakhine State. However, even in other professional armed groups worldwide, there are minor breaches of conduct. Similarly, the AA acknowledges the possibility of minor violations within its ranks. If such violations occur, we will take strong and immediate action. We welcome the submission of solid evidence.” regarding violations by our members and will take appropriate action in accordance with our organization’s regulations.”
The international community has accused the Arakan Army (AA) of committing atrocities during the Battle of Buthidaung, including the destruction of Muslim homes by arson and the killing of Muslims.
Furthermore, during the Battle of Maungdaw, near the Naf River, Muslims, including children and women, were reportedly shot and killed, with estimates of the death toll reaching over a thousand. The international community has also accused the Arakan Army of carrying out these war crimes.
There have been mutual accusations that only the Myanmar military, including Muslim armed groups, were responsible for committing these war crimes.
Since the Arakan Army has fully secured and maintained control over the areas where these war crimes occurred, the responsibility to cooperate with the international community and carry out investigations lies with the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
Suppression of News and Concealment of Crimes
During the final phase of the Arakan conflict, starting from November 2024 to March 2025, the Arakan Army (AA) cut off all communication lines, including telephone and internet services, in the areas under its control.
Previously, the Myanmar military had cut off phone and internet communication in the Arakan region as well. The Arakan Army (AA) understands that when communication lines, including phone and internet services, are cut off by the Myanmar military, the suppression of news and concealment of crimes serve as support for committing war crimes.
Therefore, the Arakan Army (AA) stated in their announcement on June 24, 2019, that they believe the Myanmar military’s actions in Arakan are deliberate efforts to conceal the truth and cover up war crimes by creating a news blackout. This, they argue, is a strategy to protect the Myanmar military’s actions in Arakan and prevent the reality of the situation from reaching the public, with the intention of hiding the crimes they are committing.
Furthermore, in seeking justice for the victims of war crimes, the Arakan People’s Government has recognized actions taken to uncover the truth and ensure accountability.
For example, in 2019, the sending of two witnesses to the International Criminal Court (ICC) was a form of international collaboration. Such positive examples exist within the Arakan People’s Government as well.
The Arakan People’s Government maintains a fundamental mindset of preventing and prohibiting war crimes.
It is hoped that these mindsets will continue to be upheld, especially in the context where the Arakan People’s Government has taken control of managing the communication infrastructure, including phone lines and internet access in the region, and thus expects more progress in preventing such crimes.
The Right to Disclose and Speak out about Injustices
Under the condition where all communication phone lines and internet connections in the Arakan region are cut off, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government has established mechanisms to report injustices. However, the right to free speech is suppressed, and the voices of the people are muted under the abuse of power by some members of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
The silence of the people can lead to the emergence of injustice and can also make the situation worse for the masses. Those who violate moral codes and misuse power often find protection in such silence.
“By speaking and declaring the truth with courage and transparency, not only can we address the rightful situations, but trust and understanding among ourselves will also improve,” as stated in the statement issued by the Arakan Army on May 24, 2024.
Although the statements and actions of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government are inconsistent, the people of Arakan continue to hold onto hope, despite facing ongoing challenges and difficult circumstances.
On September 28, a 10-year-old grade 3 student was killed near the Laymile and No. 2 Border Guard Police Battalion in Maungdaw Township, which is under the control of the Arakan Army.
The body of Maung Bhone Myat Aung, who was killed, was later found on September 29 at 1:22 PM, and it is believed that an Arakan Army soldier was responsible for the murder. His parents have called for a trial in front of the public to seek justice.
Such inhumane acts of murder against children have been carried out in a similar manner to the killings committed by armed Muslims, taking advantage of the lack of communication and internet access to spread false information and ideologies.
Therefore, in accordance with the right to freely express grievances, the parents’ call for justice must be addressed with transparency and fairness by the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
Additionally, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government has a responsibility to investigate and take action against those who have violated the public’s right to access truthful information, using the opportunity created by their blockades to spread false information.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) clearly states the right to access information, the right to seek, receive, and impart information, and the right to freely share information.
The right to access information (Right to Information) is a fundamental human right, and due to the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government’s blockade of communication lines and internet access, the people of Arakan have lost their right to access information.
In Goal 16.10 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is stated: “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.”
Judicial Transparency and Openness
There have been instances where the transparency of the judicial process regarding war crimes committed in the Arakan region was lacking.
In particular, the military court’s handling of the case of three soldiers from the Myanmar military who killed 19 Rohingya people in August 2017 faced criticism for lacking transparency.
Due to this lack of transparency, the handling of the case by the military court has made it even more difficult for the international community to trust the Myanmar military.
It is said that during the final phase of the Arakan war, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government took action against some members of the Arakan Army who committed war crimes involving two captured junta soldiers.
The video documenting the war crimes was leaked in the first half of 2025; however, the actual events occurred in January 2024 during the No. 9 military operation command raid and subsequent battle in which the crimes were committed.
The video footage shows not only members of the Arakan Army but also some members of the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), who are confirmed by some sources to have been involved in the execution carried out near the Kaungtaw Mountain.
It is said by some members of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government that the location is part of the Arakan Army’s Vita 1 military zone, and that the military zone commander is responsible for the events.
As a result, international communities and the Arakan people have raised concerns and criticisms regarding the lack of transparency in the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government’s actions.
Every armed group in the world has a responsibility to adhere to military standards. When addressing war crimes, an armed group may establish its own justice system without relying on external assistance. However, their actions should be carried out in accordance with a framework to prevent such crimes from occurring again.
The purpose of dealing with war crimes through a justice system is to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities within human society. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure transparency in whatever actions are taken.
The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government’s leaders do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the Myanmar military or engage in actions that could lead to the same destructive consequences.
In the crucial period when international understanding and support for rebuilding the Arakan region are needed, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government does not desire to be associated with the Myanmar military, nor does it seek to adopt similar practices.
The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government has announced its intention to collaborate with international organizations to ensure justice regarding the war crimes that occurred within the Arakan region. However, the government acknowledges that these war crimes cannot be addressed solely under their own judicial system.
The leaders of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government believe that cooperation with international organizations to address war crimes can also serve as support for a stronger judicial and political future for the Arakan region.
To resolve the war crimes that occurred within the Arakan region and have affected areas beyond its borders, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government must work closely with the international community.
Therefore, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government, which is committed to ensuring justice for war crimes, must work to further enhance the right of the people of Arakan to expose and speak out against injustices. The international community emphasizes the need for greater transparency in the handling of war crimes by the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government’s legal framework to ensure that these actions are addressed with the necessary openness.
