n a private humanitarian mission that will focus on pandemic support
Bangladesh police arrested 172 Rohingya in recent weeks after a crackdown sparked by the brutal murder of a prominent community leader, the force said Monday.
Following the military coup 9 months prior, 1,236 people have been killed and 9,667 arbitrarily imprisoned. The junta has increased its violent attacks against Rohingya across the nation leaving many displaced persons. Many Rohingya are not able to access the humanitarian aid as the junta seizes the aid to weaken their resistance.
The UN adopted a new resolution for the Rohingya crisis by consensus as previous barriers (i.e. China and Russia) agreed a solution is required. The resolution urges Myanmar to realize its obligations under the bilateral agreement with Bangladesh and cooperate with the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary General on Myanmar to cease human right violations.
Japan has been a close ally to Myanmar and has previously taken steps to denounce Tatmadaw control after the coup. However, Japan has made steps to normalize relations with the junta by not imposing sanctions and accepting 5 diplomats appointed by the military junta to create “practical connections”.
Rohingya refugees are suing Facebook for $150 billion amidst the company’s inaction against hate speech directed at the Rohingya. Facebook has responded by dismantling networks, banning the Tatmadaw, and investing in Burmese-language technology to prevent future hate speech
The US, followed suit by Canada and the UK, imposed heavier sanctions on Myanmar due to the extensive human rights abuses. President Joe Biden invites members of ASEAN, a coalition that has led the efforts to resolve the crisis, to a summit at the beginning of the new year to discuss future actions.
Approximately 30,000 refugee children will lose their access to education at the discretion of the Bangladesh government. No rationale was provided but can be seen as part of their policy to prevent Rohingya refugees from integrating into their country.
The new chairman for ASEAN, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, visited Myanmar and met with the leader of the junta, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. The international community condemned the meeting as ASEAN previously refused to meet with Min Aung Hlaing to showcase their unity and express their disapproval. However after obtaining the chair in ASEAN, Hun Sen expressed his intent to allow Myanmar back into the organization as it is “incomplete” without it. The rest of the members disapprove of Hun Sen’s unilateral action and are concerned with its future actions towards Myanmar, especially due to postponing the planned ASEAN summit.
Under the Bhashan Char project, the Bangladeshi government began to relocate 19,000 refugees to a remote island in the Bay of Bengal due to overcrowding. The island itself lacks proper infrastructure, especially in the face of extreme climate challenges as the island is vulnerable to cyclones and floods. The refugees have limited access to basic human needs and the government holds intentions to add another 81,000 refugees to the island.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reiterated its commitment towards voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees as Myanmar remains high-risk. Thus, the UNHCR expressed the need for longer term solutions such as education, health services, and possible resettlement to a third country. The island of Bhasan Char has undergone improvements for the livelihood of the refugees but has yet to be sustainable. The UNHCR calls upon the international community to support the refugees and the government of Bangladesh.
Replacing the detained Aung San Suu Kyi, the junta’s minister of international cooperation, Ko Ko Hlaing, and the attorney general, Thida Oo, appeared before the UN court to discard of a case against them for their acts of genocide directed at the Rohingya minority. In the preliminary objections, they claimed that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has no jurisdiction over them and must throw out the case.
Cox’ Bazar refug