A rights group based in the United Kingdom has issued a warning for the global community to take action against the escalating genocide against Myanmar's Rohingya minority. The call comes as fighting between the military and a powerful ethnic armed group in the western Rakhine State traps thousands of Rohingya in the conflict zone. The United Nations has also condemned the looting and burning of food stores and warehouses belonging to the World Food Programme, which has left Rohingya residents with nowhere to flee. The Rohingya, who have long suffered persecution in Myanmar, are now facing increased persecution and a "slow death" at the hands of the military, which has even resorted to forcibly recruiting community members, including children, for combat.
The prime ministers of India and Bangladesh have signed 10 agreements which aim to boost bilateral ties in various areas such as digital, maritime, transportation, and more. The two leaders also discussed strengthening cooperation in the digital and energy sectors, as well as resolving the issue of Rohingya refugees and promoting regional cooperation. Among the major outcomes of the talks was India's decision to send a technical team to Bangladesh for a mega project to conserve and manage the Teesta river.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clashed over the celebration of Ram Navami and the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act in West Bengal. While Modi accused the TMC of opposing the Hindu festival and protecting infiltrators from Bangladesh and Rohingya, Banerjee warned against potential riots instigated by fake videos spreading on April 17, the day of the festival. The tensions between the two leaders reflect the ongoing power struggle leading up to the Lok Sabha elections in the state.
As the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar escalates, the UN refugee agency and other partners are calling for renewed international efforts to protect and assist the nearly 1 million Rohingyas currently living in Bangladesh. The 2024 Joint Response Plan, led by the Bangladeshi authorities, seeks $852.4 million to provide vital assistance to refugees and host communities. With 95% of Rohingya households being vulnerable and 75% of the refugee population composed of women and children, sustained international support is crucial to address their urgent needs. Failure to provide sufficient funding and attention to this crisis risks leaving vulnerable individuals at risk of abuse and exploitation.
A Rohingya man's wife and two-year-old son were doused with fuel and set on fire in a playground in Cheras, Malaysia. Two suspects have been identified, according to the Cheras police chief. The man's wife is in the hospital with severe burns and is currently unconscious in the ICU. The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety of refugees in Malaysia.