The Arakan Army in Myanmar’s Rakhine State is forcing ethnic minorities, including Rohingya and Hindu civilians, into unpaid labour under threat of violence and detention, Fortify Rights said on Thursday, warning that the practice may amount to war crimes under international law.
In a new report covering incidents between November 2024 and October 2025, the human rights organisation said survivors described being forced at gunpoint to carry ammunition, build military fortifications, and perform other forms of hard labour, sometimes for months at a time.
“Rohingya, Hindu, and other minorities in Rakhine State are being exploited and forced to work in dangerous conditions wholly against their will,” said Yap Lay Sheng, senior human rights specialist at Fortify Rights. “Those who do not comply face harsh sanctions, including threats of physical violence, arrest and detention, restrictions on movement, and costly penalties levied by the Arakan Army.”
The findings align with accusations against the ethnic militia of imposing severe restrictions and committing grave abuses against the ethnic Rohingya population.
Rohingya in Rakhine State have been caught between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, with both forces committing grave abuses, including extrajudicial killings, widespread arson, and unlawful recruitment. Since late 2023, over 400,000 people have been internally displaced in Rakhine and Chin States, while as many as 200,000 have fled to Bangladesh, HRW said in its June report.
The group said it interviewed 21 survivors and witnesses from ethnic Rohingya, Hindu, and Chakma communities who described a system of compulsory labour imposed after the Arakan Army, known as the AA, seized large parts of Rakhine State from the Myanmar military in late 2023.
Survivors said AA fighters forced villagers to porter ammunition, dig trenches, and rebuild damaged military infrastructure. Others were made to farm, herd cattle, and repair roads without pay. Those who refused were fined or detained, according to the report.
A 23-year-old Rohingya man from Buthidaung Township told Fortify Rights he was among hundreds of men corralled into a mosque and ordered to work at gunpoint. “They told us, ‘You all supported the junta before we took over Buthidaung. You must work for us to support us. It is our law,’” he said.
Fortify Rights also documented cases of detainees forced into labour, with some held for up to a year. One former detainee described being beaten and tortured after refusing nighttime sentry duty. Others said they were denied food if they were too sick to work.
The AA, an ethnic Rakhine armed group, has denied previous allegations of forced labour, calling them attempts to discredit the organisation. It did not respond to Fortify Rights’ latest request for comment.
Since taking control of much of Rakhine State, the AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan, have pledged to respect human rights. However, Fortify Rights said the group continues to commit abuses against ethnic minorities, including mass detentions and summary executions.
Under international humanitarian law, forcing civilians to perform labour—particularly work related to armed conflict—is prohibited. Such acts can constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The Myanmar military junta has also been accused of widespread use of forced labour across the country. In June, the International Labour Organization adopted a resolution urging governments to take coordinated action to end such abuses and halt military support to Myanmar’s armed forces.
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