Rohingya group blames ‘global failure’ after refugee boat sinks in Andaman Sea

Rohingya rights group Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC) on Thursday called it a “direct result of global failure” after the sinking of a refugee boat in the Andaman Sea carrying approximately 250-280 people, mainly Rohingya refugees.

The Malaysia-bound boat had departed from Teknaf, located on the southeastern coast of Bangladesh and capsized in the Indian Ocean after days at sea in overcrowded conditions and rough weather.

Bangladesh is hosting about 1.3 million Rohingya, mostly fleeing the Myanmar military crackdown in August 2017 and living along the overcrowded Cox’s Bazar coast.

“These were genocide survivors, including women and children. The majority are now feared missing,” ARNC said in a statement.

ARNC, a political voice of the Rohingya people inside Myanmar and in the diaspora, works for Rohingya protection, rightful citizenship, and the just return to their homeland in Arakan State.

Deadly maritime journeys involving Rohingya refugees are increasing, with hundreds killed in similar incidents in 2024 and 2025 alone.

“They are also not accidental. They are the direct result of ongoing genocide and persecution in Myanmar, protracted statelessness, and the continued failure of the international community to act, said the organization.

The impunity of Myanmar’s military leadership, including Min Aung Hlaing, has allowed crimes against the Rohingya to continue without consequence.

Cuts to humanitarian aid, including food rations, have deepened hardship, while prolonged uncertainty has driven widespread despair, it said.

The statement, citing sources, alleged that human traffickers gather victims in Thamee Hla village, located in Rathedaung Township of Rakhine State, under the supervision of the Arakan Army.

The ARNC calls on the international community, including the UN and ASEAN, to take immediate and concrete actions.

Nay San Lwin, Co-Chair of the Arakan Rohingya National Council, told Anadolu that they are deeply frustrated by the international community’s silence, adding that they must find a way to dismantle these trafficking hubs and finally address the fundamental needs of genocide survivors in both Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“The root cause of this trafficking is the ongoing genocide that has devastated our people for decades. This must stop. The only solution is the safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to our homeland in Arakan or Rakhine State, where we can live in peace,” he added.

The report came to light after a Bangladeshi vessel rescued nine people from the Indian Ocean on April 9 and handed them over to Bangladeshi police.

Teknaf police station inspector Kabir Hossain told Anadolu that they have detained six traffickers and three Rohingya survivors. The traffickers have been sent to jail.

“We don’t have any further details of how many are still missing and (if) there is any rescue operation going on,” he added.