Statement on the 9th anniversary of the Myanmar Military's Attack on Rohingya

August 25, 2026 - Yangon, Myanmar - Embassy of Canada to Myanmar, High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh

The Embassy of Canada to Myanmar and the High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh today issued the following statement:

"Today marks nine years since the Myanmar military launched a violent campaign against the Rohingya people in Rakhine State, Myanmar, which resulted in the tragic loss of 7,000 civilians and led to a mass exodus of 800,000 Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh. The Rohingya refugee crisis remains one of the largest protracted refugee situations in the world, with over 1.3 million Rohingya displaced across the region, including 1.2 million in Bangladesh. 

"Canada remains deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Rakhine State and across Myanmar. This includes escalating conflict, airstrikes affecting civilians, renewed displacement, restrictions on movement, the obstruction of humanitarian assistance, forced conscription and labour of Rohingya and other ethnic minorities by armed actors in the conflict. Conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees and forcibly displaced persons remain absent, with prospects for such conditions more remote than ever. Rohingya remain stateless and one of the world's most persecuted groups. In 2025, more than 6,500 Rohingya fled Myanmar by dangerous routes, marking the deadliest year for maritime movements. These irregular maritime movements of Rohingya refugees are a direct consequence of persecution, statelessness, and restrictions on access to livelihoods in the absence of sustainable solutions in Rakhine State. 

"Since 2017, Canada has provided more than $700 million in international assistance to help strengthen the resilience of crisis-affected populations in Myanmar, as well as refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. Canada is committed to pursuing accountability for atrocities committed in Myanmar, including justice and accountability for Rohingya survivors. 

"Canada calls on all parties to immediately de-escalate violence, allow and facilitate the unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance across the country, and prioritize the protection of civilians, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. We reiterate our support for the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and for the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus and efforts led by the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Myanmar in facilitating a sustainable solution. We also express gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh for its generosity in providing refuge for nearly a decade.

"As we observe the ninth anniversary of the 2017 attack on Rohingya, Canada pays tribute to the survivors and families affected and commends the resilience and courage of Rohingya communities in the face of continued hardships. Canada recognizes that Rohingya voices must be at the centre of decisions that affect their lives and futures."