Narinjara, May 7, 2025

A nine-year-old girl was reportedly raped and violently killed in Hpa Pyaw village, located in Minbya township, Arakan (Rakhine) State.

The girl who was killed is the child of Daw San Aye Kyi from Hpa Pyaw village.

On May 2, Maung Mya Than, a local of Ngaman Ye Kyun, Myebon township, raped and killed her, then hung her body from a tree close to the village, reported U Myat Htun, director of the Rakhine Human Rights Defenders and Promoters.

Residents reported that the girl sustained stab wounds to her head, face, and abdomen.

On May 6, the Arakan Army (AA) detained and questioned Maung Mya Than, who allegedly murdered and sexually assaulted the girl.

Daw Nyo Aye, chair of the Rakhine Women's Network, stated that these incidents must be fully examined and harshly penalized by the appropriate authorities.

"We must handle these incidents efficiently. The individuals responsible for these incidents and murders are not the only ones involved. Charges should be brought under sections 376, 302, and 324. Next, we have the instance of premeditated homicide. Our women are entirely at risk right now. Women living in conflict zones are encountering greater danger overall. This is extremely concerning for women. This is an extremely cruel act," she remarked.

Narinjara has reached out to U Khaing Thukha, the spokesperson for the United League of Arakan (ULA)/Arakan Army (AA), to inquire about the actions to be taken in this matter but has yet to receive a response owing to a communication gap.

A 12-year-old girl from Charatan village in the southern Maungdaw Township on the western border of Rakhine State was reportedly raped by her 40-year-old stepfather since November 2024.

According to eyewitnesses, the AA apprehended the suspect in this case on the morning of April 27.

Likewise, Kyi Hla Htay, 24, hailing from Thayet Chaung Village in Pauktaw Township, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in prison by the AA's judiciary on March 31 for the rape of a minor in Pauktaw Township.

=He was taken into custody on November 23, 2023. On October 6, a three-year-old girl from Pauktaw Township was assaulted after being offered a can of soda and a bag of bread, her family informed the media.