Political parties in Arakan (Rakhine) State that are registered with and recognized by the coup regime, along with their lawmakers, face mounting public criticism for staying silent as junta airstrikes continue to kill civilians across the state.

Even as repeated air raids leave a growing trail of deaths, injuries and destruction, political parties in Arakan State have issued no official statements condemning the attacks. Lawmakers elected to the junta-backed parliament have also failed to submit motions or raise formal questions about the worsening humanitarian crisis.

Ko Wai Hin Aung, a well-known humanitarian worker, accused the lawmakers of putting personal interests above public duty and colluding with military authorities instead of standing up for the people they claim to represent.

“These people call themselves politicians, but they’re just hiding behind public service while putting their own interests and their families first. They’ve become aligned with the junta and no longer represent the Arakan people at all,” he said.

The impact of the junta’s air raids on civilians has been severe. According to figures released by the Arakan Army (AA), airstrikes carried out between June 14 and 17 in Kyauktaw and Gwa townships killed 10 civilians, injured 24 others, and destroyed homes, schools, Buddhist monasteries and market stalls.

Further junta airstrikes carried out in June also hit Ramree, Kyaukphyu and Toungup townships in Arakan State, as well as AA-controlled Paletwa in neighbouring Chin State, causing more civilian casualties and damage to homes, livestock and other property.

Former lawmakers have also condemned current political representatives, accusing them of working with the junta while lacking the courage to challenge it on behalf of the public.

“The parties claiming to represent the Arakan people don’t have the courage to stand up to the regime. Their only priority is cooperating with the junta and grabbing whatever development benefits they can, while making sure they don’t do anything that might anger the regime. That’s exactly why they’ve stayed silent while the junta is killing people,” a former Arakan lawmaker said.

Lawmakers from Arakan State have also been criticized for focusing largely on symbolic local development issues while avoiding major concerns such as the political deadlock, restrictions on the flow of essential goods, and the worsening plight of internally displaced people (IDPs).

“They’re afraid of retaliation from the junta, so they won’t risk speaking out. Their responsibility is to raise the people’s concerns and challenge abuses, but they’ve failed to do so. Right now, they’re nothing more than puppets of the junta, turning a blind eye when innocent people are being killed,” the former lawmaker added.

Political parties currently holding seats in the junta-backed parliament include the Arakan Front Party (AFP), led by Dr. Aye Maung; the Rakhine Nationalities Party (RNP), led by U Ba Shein; and the junta-aligned ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

Analysts said the junta has intensified its airstrikes after losing large swathes of territory — including many towns and villages across Arakan State — to the AA.