The Department of Public Relations and Information (DPRI) has released a new investigative report documenting killings and serious human rights abuses against Rohingya refugees in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps between 2019 and 2026.

The investigation documents more than 92 killings and finds that the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) was responsible for the overwhelming majority of the cases recorded by DPRI. The report also documents cases involving abduction, arbitrary detention, threats, intimidation, and other serious abuses against Rohingya civilians.

DPRI has only documented the killings of Rohingya civilians and ARSA associates committed by the so-called Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO/URDF). But there are more cases of abductions, kidnapping and extortion along with a huge number of rape cases across the Rohingya refugee camps.

Especially, between 2023 and 2024, members of RSO/URDF have operated serious violent operations across different camps where they have abducted hundreds of Rohingya youths and children under the age of 18 and handed them to the recruitment by the Myanmar military in Maundaw and Buthidaung townships while they were facing defeats in Arakan State at the hands of terrorist Arakan Army (AA).

During this time, most of the husbands, brothers, and young boys of the families maintained to hide themselves inside or outside their houses during the night and day. When the perpetrators did not find any male members of the families, they raped their women and took several young girls who were beautiful. Most of them were forcibly married by their members, while some were released after days of rape by members of the violent organization, RSO.

Documenting the Violence in the Camps

The DPRI investigative report on crimes and human rights abuses in the Rohingya refugee camps presents individual cases documented through testimonies, interviews, victim and family information, photographs, videos, community information, and other supporting evidence.

The report identifies victims and records the circumstances surrounding their deaths, including the dates and locations of incidents, available witness accounts, information concerning perpetrators, and other relevant evidence collected during the investigation.

According to DPRI's findings, the violence documented in the camps was not limited to isolated incidents. Killings, abductions, threats, and other abuses occurred repeatedly across different refugee settlements, with RSO responsible for all the crimes documented in this report while only few cases point to other armed groups.

The Coordinated Attack on No Man’s Land (Zero Point) Rohingya Refugee Camps by RSO

The security situation in the Cox’s Bazar Rohingya refugee camps has deteriorated significantly, particularly since 2021. We documented repeated brutal attacks across different refugee camps, including the No Man’s Land (Zero Point) settlement, by the so-called Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO).

On 18 January 2023, RSO and its allies launched a coordinated attack on the No Man’s Land (Zero Point) Rohingya refugee camp. They surrounded the settlement from the early morning and launched the main attack at around 4:00 PM.

At least three Rohingya civilians killed in the attack. They included a pregnant woman, an elderly person with a disability, and a child. Many others were abducted and taken to their mountains. They were subjected to severe torture.

RSO fighters jointly carried out the attack with its other allies under the then Awami League government. The settlement was burned, and thousands of Rohingya refugees were forced to flee.

Mv. Fawzul Kobir, also known as Abu Anos; Mv. Hamid Hossain, also known as Shoaib; Rofique, also known as Amar; Abdul Halim; Toki Ayub; Mr. Ayub, Chief of RSO; HF. Sawdul Amin; Mohammed Noor; and other senior RSO leaders were present and actively involved in the attack.

Following the destruction of the settlement, community spokesman Dil Mohammed was also abducted and later detained by Bangladeshi authorities in January 2023. The No Man’s Land settlement was ultimately cleared and ceased to exist.

False Attribution of Crimes Committed by RSO to ARSA

A major finding of the investigation is the repeated attribution of crimes committed by RSO members to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).

DPRI's investigation found a recurring pattern in which crimes committed inside the refugee camps were publicly attributed to ARSA, creating a misleading narrative about the actual perpetrators.

The report examines how such claims have been promoted through different networks, including RSO-linked actors and media outlets, while diverting attention away from those responsible for the crimes documented by DPRI.

The full investigative report provides detailed case information and supporting documentation concerning these findings.

Victims, Evidence and Perpetrators

DPRI has documented the identities and backgrounds of victims and has compiled evidence relating to individual cases. The documentation includes victim photographs, testimonies, recorded interviews, witness information, family statements, and other supporting materials.

The report also records information concerning perpetrators, including names and organisational affiliations where they were established through DPRI's investigation. In relevant cases, the documentation also records information concerning individuals involved in command, ordering, or facilitating crimes.

These records are intended to preserve the experiences of victims and their families and provide a documented basis for further investigation and accountability.

Call for Investigation and Accountability

DPRI calls on the Government of Bangladesh and relevant authorities to conduct proper investigations into the crimes documented in the report and to take appropriate legal action against those responsible.

The continued violence and insecurity faced by Rohingya refugees cannot be addressed without identifying the actual perpetrators and ensuring accountability. DPRI also calls for greater scrutiny of claims that falsely attribute crimes to ARSA though it has no activities on the land of Bangladesh and urges authorities, media organisations, human rights organisations, and the international community to examine available evidence before accepting or publishing such claims.

DPRI will continue documenting and verifying cases of violence and human rights abuses against Rohingya refugees and will update its records as additional evidence and information become available.

Read the Full Report

The complete investigation, including documented cases, victim information, testimonies, photographs, and supporting evidence, is available in the full DPRI report on Crimes and Human Rights Abuses in the Rohingya Refugee Camps.

To get the latest news and updates from Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), follow our official ARSA Spokesperson channel on Telegram. Click to Follow.

Report: Crimes and Human Rights Abuses in the Rohingya Refugee Camps
Perpetrators: Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO/URDF)
Published by: Department of Public Relations and Information (DPRI)
Period Covered: 2019–2026