At least 6,700 Rohingyas killed in Myanmar violence, MSF estimates

At least 6,700 Rohingyas have been killed in the month since violence broke out in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, says the Medecins Sans Frontieres or MSF.

Based on surveys at refugee camps in Bangladesh, the humanitarian organisation’s estimates far exceeded Myanmar’s official figure of 400.

In a report, MSF said at least 9,000 Rohingyas died in Myanmar between Aug 25 and Sept 24 and nearly 72 percent of the deaths were caused by violence.

“At least 6,700 Rohingya, in the most conservative estimations, are estimated to have been killed, including at least 730 children below the age of five years,” reads the report.

Gunshots were the leading cause of deaths, followed by being burnt inside home and beaten to death, according to the MSF, an NGO best known for its medical projects in worn-torn regions. And 59 percent of the children died of gunshots. 

Rohingya refugee Nur Kamal, 17, shows his head injuries, at Kutupalang refugee camp, near Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, Oct 13, 2017. Reuters

Rohingya refugees Mohamed Heron, 6, and his brother Mohamed Akter, 4, show burns on their bodies at Kutupalong refugee camp, near Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, Oct 14, 2017. Reuters

“What we uncovered was staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured,” MSF Medical Director Dr Sidney Wong said.

“The peak in deaths coincides with the launch of the latest 'clearance operations' by Myanmar security forces in the last week of August.”

The survey’s findings show the Rohingyas have been targeted and are the ‘clearest indication’ of the widespread violence that began as Myanmar forces launched a crackdown in response to the Aug 25 attack on police outposts and a military camp by insurgents.

Rohingya refugee Momtaz Begum, 30, at Balukhali refugee camp in Bangladesh, Oct 19, 2017. Reuters

Rohingya refugee Anwara Begum woke to find her home in flames. Before she could get out, the burning roof caved in on her and her nylon clothes melted onto her arms. Photo taken at Kutupalang refugee camp, near Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, Oct 13, 2017. Reuters

“The numbers of deaths are likely to be an underestimation as we have not surveyed all refugee settlements in Bangladesh and because the surveys don’t account for the families who never made it out of Myanmar,” said Wong.

“Currently people are still fleeing from Myanmar to Bangladesh and those who do manage to cross the border still report being subject to violence in recent weeks,” he added.

According to the humanitarian agency, more than 626,000 Rohingyas have fled from Myanmar into Bangladesh in the three and a half months.

Describing the latest repatriation deal between the neighbouring countries as ‘premature’, MSF said the safety and rights of Rohingyas have to be guaranteed ‘before such plans could be considered seriously’.