Topic
Rohingya Muslims are an ethnic group who practice Islam and speak a language related to Bengali. The origin of this group of people is disputed with some saying they are indigenous to the state of Rakhine in Myanmar while others contend they are migrants who came from Bengal (now Bangladesh), to Myanmar during the period of British colonial rule. According to the United Nations, Rohingyas are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. Many have fled Myanmar to refugee camps in Bangladesh and areas along the Thai-Myanmar border.
Proposed US legislation to recognise the genocide against Bengalis and Hindus leading to the birth of Bangladesh in 1971 is in the right direction; just make sure it doesn’t ‘forget’ the key role Washington played in enabling it to happen.
The military and National League for Democracy must once again find a way to share power for the benefit of their people and the nations who have invested so much into a once moribund economy.
- Packing winds of up to 195kph, Mocha hit between Cox’s Bazar – home to 1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh – and Myanmar’s Sittwe
- Streets in Sittwe were turned into rivers as the biggest storm to hit the Bay of Bengal in more than a decade surged through the seaside town
Cyclone Mocha was packing winds of up to 240km per hour (149 miles per hour), according to the Zoom Earth website, which classed it as a Super Cyclone.
Myanmar is looking at a trial repatriation of around 1,100 people, but they’d apparently leave Bangladesh refugee camps to live in Myanmar camps, for months.
Thousands of the mostly Rohingya Muslims risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.
At least 1 million Rohingya refugees have left Myanmar for Bangladesh in recent decades including about 740,000 who’ve crossed border since August 2017, when military began brutal crackdown.
PM Anwar says the 10-nation grouping should explore new ways on how Myanmar’s junta can be persuaded to resolve the civil conflict.
Reliance on smuggling networks puts Rohingya Muslims at risk of being trafficked and exploited as they try to leave abysmal living conditions at refugee camps in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Malaysia’s home minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, said seven children and 25 women were among those who died in detention last year.
The value of food aid will be reduced to US$10 per person from US$12 starting next month due to donor budgets stretched by the pandemic and economic crises.
The withdrawal came after Islamist groups protested a curriculum overhaul to recognise transgender identities, same-sex relationships and secular science.
Myanmar’s military has been invited to take part in a working group co-chaired by the US and Thailand – despite Washington last year declaring it had committed genocide.
Human rights group and 16 people from Myanmar have filed a criminal complaint; one of the complainants said seven of her relatives were killed in a village attack and a child was murdered while begging for a drink.
Announcement marks the country’s 75th anniversary of independence from British rule; it was not immediately clear if any political detainees would be freed.
Wirathu, also known as the ‘Buddhist bin Laden’, helped whip up animosity towards Rohingya Muslims before 2017’s brutal military crackdown on the ethnic minority group.
Readers discuss the Japanese response to the return of Chinese tourists, and government inaction on Rohingya refugees.
Rohingya advocates fear that interest in the group is waning, as regional authorities were slow to respond to rights groups’ multiple calls for help and information on vessels.
This is the third Rohingya refugee boat to arrive in Muslim-majority Indonesia in recent months.
The boat sank an hour after those aboard were handed over to Myanmar’s navy – it was not immediately clear what would happen to them.
Australian Sean Turnell, Japan’s Toru Kubota, Briton Vicky Bowman, American Kyaw Htay Oo, and 11 Myanmar celebrities are among 5,774 prisoners being released to mark National Victory Day.
Source said group of Rohingya Muslims hoped to reach Malaysia; 2017 military crackdown forced 750,000 to flee for Bangladesh.
Authorities in the low-lying country have rushed to move hundreds of thousands out of the storm’s path, fearing heavy rain and a storm surge that could inundate areas home to millions of people.
The slain teacher, Saw Tun Moe, was a long-time educator who took part in antimilitary protests before taking charge of a high school founded by the country’s pro-democracy movement.
