Weekly Report

Reporting Period: September 18–26, 2026

1. Executive Summary

This week saw intensified diplomatic engagement on the Rohingya crisis on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, with Bangladesh, the OIC, Canada, and international humanitarian organizations all pressing for a credible and durable repatriation framework. At the same time, conditions inside Rakhine State continued to deteriorate, with the IIMM stating that safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return remains impossible due to ongoing armed conflict, airstrikes, and abuses against civilians. Incidents of arbitrary arrest, extortion, and discrimination against Rohingyas by armed actors and local authorities were also reported, while regional smuggling and human trafficking activities persisted.

2. Diplomatic & International Engagement

2.1 UN General Assembly (UNGA) 81st Session – New York

• Bangladesh PM Tarik Rahman called for a clear and credible roadmap for the early, safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas, proposing a five-point course of action at a high-level side event titled "The Rohingya Issue: Renewed Call for an End to Protracted Displacement and for a Durable Solution Based on Justice and Accountability."
• The PM met with UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop on September 22, urging effective international action.
• The side event was co-hosted by Bangladesh and The Gambia, with the EU as co-sponsor.
• PM Tarik Rahman is scheduled to deliver his first UNGA address on September 24.

2.2 OIC Ministerial Contact Group

• The OIC Ministerial Contact Group on the Rohingya, led by Secretary-General Ismael Old Sheikh Ahmed, met on the sidelines of UNGA.
• Reaffirmed OIC commitment to Rohingya rights and urged a comprehensive, durable political solution.
• Praised The Gambia's leadership and Bangladesh's hosting efforts.
• Urged Myanmar authorities to restore citizenship rights, protect Muslim communities, and guarantee voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return.

2.3 Canada–Bangladesh Bilateral Talks

• Canadian Ambassador Ajit Singh met Foreign Secretary Humaiun Kobir on September 20.
• Canada confirmed support for safe Rohingya repatriation.
• Discussions covered expanding trade beyond garments into light engineering and machinery, and exchanging business delegations.

2.4 International Humanitarian Organizations

• More than a dozen humanitarian and charitable organizations pledged joint support for over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh at a UNGA side event led by Human Concern USA.
• Supported a proposal to form a "Coalition for Pathway to Higher Education for Rohingya Children."
• Bangladesh Deputy Minister M. Iqbal Hossain and Commissioner M. Mizanur Rahman urged stronger international cooperation.

3. Security & Human Rights Situation in Rakhine State

3.1 IIMM Statement (September 24)

• The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) stated there are no conditions yet for Rohingyas to return safely, voluntarily, with dignity, and sustainably.
• Cited ongoing airstrikes, heavy artillery, drone attacks, arbitrary arrests, sexual and gender-based violence, torture, and killings.
• Noted obstacles to humanitarian access and shortages of basic necessities.
• Stressed that violence and serious international crimes must stop before repatriation can begin.

3.2 Military Airstrike on Kyauk Daw (September 25)

• Junta air force used a Y-12 transport aircraft to drop nearly 30 bombs between 2:00–2:45 am on Pyithu Thar Ward (9th Street), Paik Thin village, and Nidin village.
• 7 civilians seriously injured, including 5 Rohingyas (2 children) and 2 Rakhine residents.

3.3 Fighting at Sittwe–Ponnagyun Border (September 16)

• Fighting between the junta and the Arakan Army (AA) entered its 13th day.
• Airstrikes by 2 fighter jets and heavy artillery fire continued on Ponnagyun town and surrounding areas.
• Ground offensives reported near Yay Yoe Pyin, Sar Taung Poh, War Bo, A Myint Kyun, and Chii Laing Phin.
• Pro-junta lobbyist Nay Ri Moe claimed increased junta drone use; assessed AA defensive areas expanding in Ann, Padan, Gwa, Thandwe, Ponnagyun, and Kyaukphyu.

3.4 AA Arrests and Extortion in Maungdaw/Buthidaung

• U Shwe Kya village administrator U Abu and his two sons were arrested by AA on September 4; one son (Maung Maung Arof) was released after extortion of over 1,000 lakh kyats; U Abu and son Ayas remain detained.
• Bo Seir A Maut arrested September 18; former administrator Shauom Shul Hakim arrested September 21 , both reportedly tortured.
• Maung Maung Yasin (38) from Kyauk Hla Pyin village, Buthidaung, arrested September 16 on suspicion of links to explosive materials; detention location unknown.
• Local sources report growing fear, with residents avoiding unnecessary movement and night travel.

3.5 Discrimination in Education – Maungdaw No. 2 High School

• Parents and students allege Grade 5 teacher Daw Kay Sandar, Grade 3 teacher U Aung Ko Lin, and other teachers:
• Discriminated against Rohingya students and pressured them into private tuition.
• Made non-tuition students clean classrooms, pick up trash, and beat them.
• Used derogatory terms such as "Kala," "Bengali," and "ARSA supporters."
• Allowed tuition students to use books during October monthly tests and sit in separate rooms.
• Reported tuition students scored 20+/25, while non-tuition students were told they scored zero.
• Threatened: "If you don't attend tuition, we'll do to you at the final exam what we did last year."
• Tuition fees exceed 50,000 kyats/month, unaffordable for many families.

4. Trafficking, Smuggling & Border Security

4.1 Human Trafficking Rescue in Teknaf (September 25)

• SRB-15 rescued 17 Rohingyas gathered at a house in South Lombari, Teknaf, owned by Muhammad Ibrahim, before they could be sent to Malaysia by sea.
• Confirmed by ASP A. M. Faruk at around 11:30 pm Friday.

4.2 Fertilizer Smuggling Seizure (September 24)

• Bangladesh Coast Guard seized 600 bags of fertilizer and 2 smugglers en route from Sitakunda, Chattogram, to southern Maungdaw, Rakhine State.
• Estimated value: ~2.1 million BDT; 2 vehicles also seized.
• Legal proceedings underway.
• Despite official Teknaf–Maungdaw trade opening in May 2026, high taxes continue to drive illegal smuggling.

4.3 Malaysia Repatriation Plan Under Fire (September 23)

• Over 160 civil society organizations issued a joint statement urging Malaysia to immediately halt its plan to repatriate Rohingyas to Myanmar.
• Cited risks of forced military recruitment and ongoing armed conflict.
• Expressed "extreme concern" over PM Anwar Ibrahim's coordination with Min Aung Hlaing.
• UN figures (February): ~193,800 Myanmar refugees in Malaysia, many Rohingya.
• Malaysia plans first phase: 1,500 refugees from September 29, targeting up to 5,000 total.
• No official Malaysian response yet.

5. Rohingya Civil Society & Community Developments

5.1 Rohingya Gen-Z First Joint Meeting (September 18)

• Youth coordinators from various Cox's Bazar refugee camps met for the first time to discuss shared goals.
• Described itself as a decentralized youth movement, not a CBO or NGO.
• Focus areas: security, unity, peace, justice, and dignified, sustainable repatriation.
• Spokesperson Sahat Zia Hero: "If we keep passing our responsibility to the next generation... there is a risk that we will leave an unfinished struggle for our children."
• Emphasized collective action over slogans; called for cooperation among CBOs, diaspora activists, camp youth, community representatives, and armed groups.
• Marked nearly nine years since the 2017 exodus.

5.2 ULA/AA Rohingya Appointments Questioned (September 21)

• Internal source alleged ULA/AAP in Buthidaung is appointing Rohingya youth as volunteers as a show to gain external support.
• Pay disparity: Rakhine teachers 200,000 kyats vs. Rohingya volunteer teachers 130,000 kyats.
• Trained unarmed Rohingya militia members reportedly assigned only hard labor (road building, carrying rice, planting trees, demolishing walls, cutting bamboo, farming) — not formal postings.
• Allowance: 1 bag of rice + 45,000 kyats.
• Source warned: "If you don't honestly speak out about your own people's fate, your life could end in slavery."

5.3 Military/Pro-Junta Rhetoric

• Bu La Hla Swe, chairman of the Kyan Hpwat party's Naypyidaw territory, proclaimed the military must retake all of Rakhine State for the sake of military dignity.
• Called AA's offensive "just a straw fire that has run out of fuel."
• Urged cutting AA's supply lines.

6. Key Themes & Observations

7. Upcoming / Watch Items

• September 24: PM Tarik Rahman's first UNGA address.
• September 29: Malaysia's first-phase repatriation of 1,500 refugees — monitor for civil society response and Malaysian government statement.
• Ongoing: Rakhine conflict (Sittwe–Ponnagyun, Ann, Gwa, Thandwe, Kyaukphyu); AA arrests and extortion reports in Maungdaw/Buthidaung.
• Monitoring: Humanitarian funding declines; education access for Rohingya children; smuggling routes via Teknaf–Maungdaw.