Source: AEN | October 21, 2026

International human rights lawyer Ashley S. Kinseth has called for an international investigation into alleged abuses against Rohingya Muslims by the Arakan Army (AA) in northern Rakhine State. In an article published by Opinio Juris, she argued that restrictions on movement, discriminatory taxation, forced labour, and land confiscation could amount to crimes against humanity, including persecution based on ethnicity.
According to the article, Rohingya communities face restrictions on travel, difficulties returning to their homes, and pressure to work without pay. The report also cites allegations of land seizures, village renaming, and restrictions on religious and cultural rights. Kinseth argues that these actions should be investigated as possible systematic persecution rather than treated as isolated incidents. She also calls for the allegations to be considered in international criminal investigations, including those involving the International Criminal Court (ICC), while noting that the Court’s jurisdiction has legal limits.
The article acknowledges AA’s security concerns regarding armed Rohingya groups but argues that these concerns do not justify collective punishment or discrimination against Rohingya civilians. Kinseth says that if the AA seeks recognition as a governing authority, it must respect fundamental human rights and ensure accountability for alleged abuses.