At least 1,933 Venezuelan migrants were killed&nbsp;in&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;between 2015 and 2020, and another 836 are "considered missing," a Colombian NGO said Wednesday.&nbsp;

"While the national murder rate has been decreasing steadily... the murder rate of the Venezuelan population has grown and is 2.8 times higher," said Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES) in a report.

In a report on the situation based on official figures and complaints collected by the organization, the NGO said that "the irregular situation of a significant part of the population...has led them to face discrimination, xenophobia or stigmatization."&nbsp;

Nearly six million people have fled Venezuela, which has been in recession for eight years, and the country plunged into political crisis in January 2019 when opposition leader Juan Guaido, who was a parliamentary speaker at the time, declared himself acting president after Nicolas Maduro claimed a re-election victory widely condemned internationally as fraudulent.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/john-mcafee-antivirus-software-creator-turned-fugitive-dies-by-hanging-in-spanish-jail-393513">Also Read |&nbsp;John McAfee, antivirus software creator turned fugitive, dies by hanging in Spanish jail</a>

Some 1.8 million of those Venezuelan refugees are in&nbsp;Colombia, which began granting official residency to almost a million of them in March.&nbsp;

The government hopes to deliver a document by the end of the year that gives undocumented migrants a period of 10 years to acquire a resident visa.&nbsp;

Colombia&nbsp;and Venezuela have no diplomatic relations and share a porous border of about 1,400 miles (2,200 kilometres).&nbsp;

The NGO also warned about the sexual violence being perpetrated against the migrant population: 2,319 Venezuelans, mostly underage girls, suffered sexual attacks between 2015 and 2020.

At least 1,933 Venezuelan migrants were killed in Colombia between 2015 and 2020, and another 836 are "considered missing," a Colombian NGO said Wednesday. "While the national murder rate has been decreasing steadily.

At least 1,933 Venezuelan migrants were killed in Colombia between 2015 and 2020, and another 836 are "considered missing," a Colombian NGO said Wednesday. "While the national murder rate has been decreasing steadily... the murder rate of the Venezuelan population has grown and is 2.8 times higher," said Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES) in a report. In a report on the situation based on official figures and complaints collected by the organization, the NGO said that "the irregular situation of a significant part of the population...has led them to face discrimination, xenophobia or stigmatization." Nearly six million people have fled Venezuela, which has been in recession for eight years, and the country plunged into political crisis in January 2019 when opposition leader Juan Guaido, who was a parliamentary speaker at the time, declared himself acting president after Nicolas Maduro claimed a re-election victory widely condemned internationally as fraudulent. Also Read | John McAfee, antivirus software creator turned fugitive, dies by hanging in Spanish jail Some 1.8 million of those Venezuelan refugees are in Colombia, which began granting official residency to almost a million of them in March. The government hopes to deliver a document by the end of the year that gives undocumented migrants a period of 10 years to acquire a resident visa. Colombia and Venezuela have no diplomatic relations and share a porous border of about 1,400 miles (2,200 kilometres). The NGO also warned about the sexual violence being perpetrated against the migrant population: 2,319 Venezuelans, mostly underage girls, suffered sexual attacks between 2015 and 2020.

Almost 2,000 Venezuelan refugees murdered in Colombia in five years, NGO says

Denmark's parliament has passed a law that will allow them to relocate asylum seekers outside Europe, despite criticism from rights groups and the United Nations.

Denmark passes law to move asylum centers outside the Europe

With the Tokyo Olympic game set to begin in just a few weeks' time, all eyes are on the refugee athletes who will be competing at the highest level this year. These Refugee athletes are putting everything they have into reaching the goal.

Refugees continue to flee from Africa & Middle East to take part in Olympics

The Biden administration on Saturday extended special protections to Haitians living temporarily in the United States after being displaced by a devastating 2010 earthquake, reversing efforts by the previous administration to force them to leave the country.

The decision, announced by the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, makes good on President Joe Biden’s campaign promise to restore a program that shields thousands of Haitian migrants from the threat of deportation under the restrictive policies put in place under President Donald Trump.

Mayorkas said the new 18-month designation, known as temporary protected status, would apply to Haitians already living in the United States as of Friday.

“Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic resources, which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayorkas said in a statement Saturday.

The protections, created in a 1990 law, allow foreigners who have had to flee their homes because of natural disasters and conflict to work and live in the United States. The Obama administration granted the temporary protected status to Haitians living in the United States illegally after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in January 2010.

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the new designation could protect as many as 150,000 Haitians from having to return to the political and security crisis in their home country.

“The last thing our country should be doing is forcing an entire community in the U.S. to decide between packing up their lives and tearing their families apart by self-deporting, or becoming undocumented and forced into the shadows of our society,” Menendez said in a statement Saturday.

As part of its hard-line efforts to curb legal and illegal immigration, the Trump administration sought to end protections for about 400,000 immigrants living in the United States, including Haitians.

Lawsuits blocked the cancellations, but in September a federal appeals court sided with the Trump administration, putting hundreds of thousands of immigrants on notice that they would have to leave the country or face deportation. The Trump administration agreed to keep the protections in place at least through early 2021, meaning a new administration could decide to continue the policy.

The Biden administration on Saturday extended special protections to Haitians living temporarily in the United States after being displaced by a devastating 2010 earthquake, reversing efforts by the previous administration to force them to leave the country.

The Biden administration on Saturday extended special protections to Haitians living temporarily in the United States after being displaced by a devastating 2010 earthquake, reversing efforts by the previous administration to force them to leave the country. The decision, announced by the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, makes good on President Joe Biden’s campaign promise to restore a program that shields thousands of Haitian migrants from the threat of deportation under the restrictive policies put in place under President Donald Trump. Mayorkas said the new 18-month designation, known as temporary protected status, would apply to Haitians already living in the United States as of Friday. “Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic resources, which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayorkas said in a statement Saturday. The protections, created in a 1990 law, allow foreigners who have had to flee their homes because of natural disasters and conflict to work and live in the United States. The Obama administration granted the temporary protected status to Haitians living in the United States illegally after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in January 2010. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the new designation could protect as many as 150,000 Haitians from having to return to the political and security crisis in their home country. “The last thing our country should be doing is forcing an entire community in the U.S. to decide between packing up their lives and tearing their families apart by self-deporting, or becoming undocumented and forced into the shadows of our society,” Menendez said in a statement Saturday. As part of its hard-line efforts to curb legal and illegal immigration, the Trump administration sought to end protections for about 400,000 immigrants living in the United States, including Haitians. Lawsuits blocked the cancellations, but in September a federal appeals court sided with the Trump administration, putting hundreds of thousands of immigrants on notice that they would have to leave the country or face deportation. The Trump administration agreed to keep the protections in place at least through early 2021, meaning a new administration could decide to continue the policy.

US grants temporary protections to thousands of Haitians

In a camp for Syrian refugees in east Lebanon, Mohammad and his three sisters fear they will be out of school for a third consecutive year because remote learning is out of reach.

'I want to study': Lebanon crisis cancels school for many

Spain has deployed troops to Ceuta to patrol the border with Morocco after thousands of migrants swam into the northern African enclave amid heightened diplomatic tensions, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Footage from local Faro TV channel showed soldiers in armoured vehicles guarding the enclave's beach as dozens of migrants emerged from the water while hundreds of potential migrants stood on the Moroccan side of the fence between the enclave and Morocco.&nbsp;

Soldiers started patrolling the border along with Spanish police, Grande-Marlaska told state broadcaster TVE. As many as 6,000 Moroccans, including about 1,500 minors, swam into Ceuta on Monday and Tuesday, he said. &nbsp;

A spokesman for Ceuta's government delegation said soldiers will also work with police in sensitive locations within the enclave to maintain order on the streets. &nbsp;

One person died in Monday's crossing, the spokesman said. &nbsp;

The adult arrivals are being transferred to a local football stadium to be deported back to Morocco. About 1,500 have already been handed back, Grande-Marlaska said. &nbsp;

Minors are being sent to an industrial building.&nbsp;

Ceuta, with a population of 80,000, is an enclave located on the northern tip of Morocco across from Gibraltar. &nbsp;

The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and nearby Melilla on Morocco's northern coast have long been a magnet for African migrants trying to reach Europe in search of a better life. &nbsp;

TV channel 24h reported on Tuesday morning that as many as 85 migrants climbed the border fence to break into Melilla, which is located about 300km east of Ceuta.&nbsp;

The arrival of the migrants took place at a time of increased tension between Spain and Morocco over the fate of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Western Sahara's Polisario Front, who is in hospital in Spain.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Spain has deployed troops to Ceuta to patrol the border with Morocco after thousands of migrants swam into the northern African enclave amid heightened diplomatic tensions, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Tuesday.

Spain has deployed troops to Ceuta to patrol the border with Morocco after thousands of migrants swam into the northern African enclave amid heightened diplomatic tensions, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Tuesday. Footage from local Faro TV channel showed soldiers in armoured vehicles guarding the enclave's beach as dozens of migrants emerged from the water while hundreds of potential migrants stood on the Moroccan side of the fence between the enclave and Morocco. Soldiers started patrolling the border along with Spanish police, Grande-Marlaska told state broadcaster TVE. As many as 6,000 Moroccans, including about 1,500 minors, swam into Ceuta on Monday and Tuesday, he said. A spokesman for Ceuta's government delegation said soldiers will also work with police in sensitive locations within the enclave to maintain order on the streets. One person died in Monday's crossing, the spokesman said. The adult arrivals are being transferred to a local football stadium to be deported back to Morocco. About 1,500 have already been handed back, Grande-Marlaska said. Minors are being sent to an industrial building. Ceuta, with a population of 80,000, is an enclave located on the northern tip of Morocco across from Gibraltar. The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and nearby Melilla on Morocco's northern coast have long been a magnet for African migrants trying to reach Europe in search of a better life. TV channel 24h reported on Tuesday morning that as many as 85 migrants climbed the border fence to break into Melilla, which is located about 300km east of Ceuta. The arrival of the migrants took place at a time of increased tension between Spain and Morocco over the fate of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Western Sahara's Polisario Front, who is in hospital in Spain. (With inputs from agencies)

Spain deploys army in Ceuta to patrol border with Morocco after thousands break in 

President Joe Biden announced that he is raising the maximum number of refugees allowed into the United States this year to 62,500 up from the 15,000 cap imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump. This comes after Biden faced heavy criticism from his allies.

Biden raises number of refugees allowed in the US to 62,500 after criticism

Facing swift blowback from allies and aid groups, the White House said President Joe Biden plans to lift his predecessor's historically low cap on refugees by next month, after initially moving only to expand the eligibility criteria for resettlements. 
 
In an emergency determination signed by Biden earlier Friday, he stated the admission of up to 15,000 refugees set by former President Donald Trump this year remains justified by humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest. But if the cap is reached before the end of the current budget year and the emergency refugee situation persists, then a presidential determination may be issued to raise the ceiling. 
 
That set off a deluge of criticism from top allies on Capitol Hill such as the second-ranking Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, who called that initial limit unacceptable.&nbsp;White House press secretary Jen Psaki said later that Biden is expected to increase the refugee cap by May 15, though she didn't say by how much. 
 
Biden has been consulting with his advisers to determine what number of refugees could realistically be admitted to the United States between now and October 1, the end of the fiscal year, Psaki said. Given the decimated refugee admissions program we inherited,&nbsp;she said it's now unlikely&nbsp;Biden will be able to boost that number to 62,500, as he had proposed in his plan to Congress two months ago. 
 
But Biden, she said, was urged by advisers to "take immediate action to reverse the Trump policy that banned refugees from many key regions, to enable flights from those regions to begin within days; today's order did that." The new allocations provide more slots for refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Central America and lift Trump's restrictions on resettlements from Somalia, Syria and Yemen. 
 
Critics from both sides of the political spectrum had accused the president of bowing to political pressure that has been mounting over the record pace of unaccompanied migrants crossing the US-Mexico border. 
Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump's immigration policies, tweeted that keeping Trump's cap "reflects Team Biden's awareness that the border flood will cause record midterm losses."&nbsp;The White House indicated the border situation was partly why Biden had not acted before now, even though migrants at the border do not go through the same vetting process as refugees. 
 
"It is a factor",&nbsp;said Psaki, noting that the Office of Refugee Resettlement ?has personnel working on both issues and so we have to ensure that there is capacity and ability to manage both.? Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he didn't buy that. 
 
"This cruel policy is no more acceptable now than it was during the Trump Administration,"&nbsp;Blumenthal said. "To be clear: the asylum process at the southern border and the refugee process are completely separate immigration systems. Conflating the two constitutes caving to the politics of fear".&nbsp;Since the fiscal year began last October 1, just over 2,000 refugees have been resettled in the US. 
 
Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress on February 12 of a plan to raise the ceiling on admissions to 62,500, but no presidential determination followed. The law does not require congressional approval and past presidents have issued such presidential determinations that set the cap on refugee admissions shortly after the notification to Congress. 
 
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Biden in a letter Friday that his inaction "undermines your declared purpose to reverse your predecessor's refugee policies."&nbsp;Menendez said it also makes it unlikely that the program can hit its target next budget year of 125,000, which Biden has pledged to do. 
 
Refugee resettlement agencies said it was important that admissions go higher even if it's not possible to meet the target to send a message that America will be a leader again in offering safe haven to the world's oppressed. 
 
Some 35,000 refugees have been cleared to go to the United States, and 100,000 remain in the pipeline and their lives remain in limbo, said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee. 
"This leadership is sorely needed,"&nbsp;he said. 
 
Under Biden's new allocation, 7,000 slots are reserved for refugees from Africa, 1,000 from East Asia, 1,500 from Europe and Central Asia, 3,000 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 1,500 from the Near East and South Asia. A reserve of about 1,000 slots can be used as needed. 
 
The State Department, which coordinates flights with resettlement agencies, booked 715 refugees to come to the United States with the anticipation that Biden would have acted by March, but those flights were canceled since the refugees were not eligible under Trump's rules, according to resettlement agencies. 
 
Most of the refugees are from Africa and fleeing armed conflict or political persecution. Trump limited most spots to people fleeing religious persecution, Iraqis who have assisted US forces there, and people from Central America's Northern Triangle.

Facing swift blowback from allies and aid groups, the White House said President Joe Biden plans to lift his predecessor's historically low cap on refugees by next month, after initially moving only to expand the eligibility criteria for resettlements.

Facing swift blowback from allies and aid groups, the White House said President Joe Biden plans to lift his predecessor's historically low cap on refugees by next month, after initially moving only to expand the eligibility criteria for resettlements. In an emergency determination signed by Biden earlier Friday, he stated the admission of up to 15,000 refugees set by former President Donald Trump this year remains justified by humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest. But if the cap is reached before the end of the current budget year and the emergency refugee situation persists, then a presidential determination may be issued to raise the ceiling. That set off a deluge of criticism from top allies on Capitol Hill such as the second-ranking Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, who called that initial limit unacceptable. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said later that Biden is expected to increase the refugee cap by May 15, though she didn't say by how much. Biden has been consulting with his advisers to determine what number of refugees could realistically be admitted to the United States between now and October 1, the end of the fiscal year, Psaki said. Given the decimated refugee admissions program we inherited, she said it's now unlikely Biden will be able to boost that number to 62,500, as he had proposed in his plan to Congress two months ago. But Biden, she said, was urged by advisers to "take immediate action to reverse the Trump policy that banned refugees from many key regions, to enable flights from those regions to begin within days; today's order did that." The new allocations provide more slots for refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Central America and lift Trump's restrictions on resettlements from Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Critics from both sides of the political spectrum had accused the president of bowing to political pressure that has been mounting over the record pace of unaccompanied migrants crossing the US-Mexico border. Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump's immigration policies, tweeted that keeping Trump's cap "reflects Team Biden's awareness that the border flood will cause record midterm losses." The White House indicated the border situation was partly why Biden had not acted before now, even though migrants at the border do not go through the same vetting process as refugees. "It is a factor", said Psaki, noting that the Office of Refugee Resettlement ?has personnel working on both issues and so we have to ensure that there is capacity and ability to manage both.? Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he didn't buy that. "This cruel policy is no more acceptable now than it was during the Trump Administration," Blumenthal said. "To be clear: the asylum process at the southern border and the refugee process are completely separate immigration systems. Conflating the two constitutes caving to the politics of fear". Since the fiscal year began last October 1, just over 2,000 refugees have been resettled in the US. Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress on February 12 of a plan to raise the ceiling on admissions to 62,500, but no presidential determination followed. The law does not require congressional approval and past presidents have issued such presidential determinations that set the cap on refugee admissions shortly after the notification to Congress. New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Biden in a letter Friday that his inaction "undermines your declared purpose to reverse your predecessor's refugee policies." Menendez said it also makes it unlikely that the program can hit its target next budget year of 125,000, which Biden has pledged to do. Refugee resettlement agencies said it was important that admissions go higher even if it's not possible to meet the target to send a message that America will be a leader again in offering safe haven to the world's oppressed. Some 35,000 refugees have been cleared to go to the United States, and 100,000 remain in the pipeline and their lives remain in limbo, said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee. "This leadership is sorely needed," he said. Under Biden's new allocation, 7,000 slots are reserved for refugees from Africa, 1,000 from East Asia, 1,500 from Europe and Central Asia, 3,000 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 1,500 from the Near East and South Asia. A reserve of about 1,000 slots can be used as needed. The State Department, which coordinates flights with resettlement agencies, booked 715 refugees to come to the United States with the anticipation that Biden would have acted by March, but those flights were canceled since the refugees were not eligible under Trump's rules, according to resettlement agencies. Most of the refugees are from Africa and fleeing armed conflict or political persecution. Trump limited most spots to people fleeing religious persecution, Iraqis who have assisted US forces there, and people from Central America's Northern Triangle.

After outcry, White House says Biden will lift refugee cap in May

Britain will introduce new rules for those seeking asylum, making it more difficult for refugees entering illegally to stay in the country, interior minister Priti Patel said on Wednesday, calling it a firm but fair system.&nbsp;

Since Britain completed its exit from the European Union at the end of last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been keen to set out a new independent vision for the country, unveiling new policies on defence, foreign affairs to immigration.&nbsp;

In what the government says is the biggest overhaul of the asylum system in decades, the 'New Plan for Immigration' sets out a plan to resettle refugees at urgent risk more quickly while making it more difficult for those arriving illegally.&nbsp;

"Under our New Plan for Immigration, if people arrive illegally, they will no longer have the same entitlements as those who arrive legally, and it will be harder for them to stay," Patel said in a statement.&nbsp;

"Profiteering from illegal migration to Britain will no longer be worth the risk, with new maximum life sentences for people smugglers ... I make no apology for these actions being firm, but as they will also save lives and target people smugglers, they are also undeniably fair."&nbsp;

She also said those arriving after travelling through a safe country, such as France would not have immediate entry into the system, and that the government 'would stop the most unscrupulous abusing the system by posing as children'.&nbsp;

Reducing immigration was one of the promises made by the Vote Leave campaign, for which Johnson was a figurehead, during the 2016 referendum on membership of the EU, and the government has said it would toughen up its post-Brexit asylum system.&nbsp;

But the main opposition Labour Party said the policy was defined by 'a lack of compassion', saying successive Conservative governments had failed the immigration system.&nbsp;

Charities have also criticised the proposals, saying they would create an unfair two-tiered system.&nbsp;

"This is inhumane,” British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Britain will introduce new rules for those seeking asylum, making it more difficult for refugees entering illegally to stay in the country, interior minister Priti Patel said on Wednesday, calling it a firm but fair system.

Britain will introduce new rules for those seeking asylum, making it more difficult for refugees entering illegally to stay in the country, interior minister Priti Patel said on Wednesday, calling it a firm but fair system. Since Britain completed its exit from the European Union at the end of last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been keen to set out a new independent vision for the country, unveiling new policies on defence, foreign affairs to immigration. In what the government says is the biggest overhaul of the asylum system in decades, the 'New Plan for Immigration' sets out a plan to resettle refugees at urgent risk more quickly while making it more difficult for those arriving illegally. "Under our New Plan for Immigration, if people arrive illegally, they will no longer have the same entitlements as those who arrive legally, and it will be harder for them to stay," Patel said in a statement. "Profiteering from illegal migration to Britain will no longer be worth the risk, with new maximum life sentences for people smugglers ... I make no apology for these actions being firm, but as they will also save lives and target people smugglers, they are also undeniably fair." She also said those arriving after travelling through a safe country, such as France would not have immediate entry into the system, and that the government 'would stop the most unscrupulous abusing the system by posing as children'. Reducing immigration was one of the promises made by the Vote Leave campaign, for which Johnson was a figurehead, during the 2016 referendum on membership of the EU, and the government has said it would toughen up its post-Brexit asylum system. But the main opposition Labour Party said the policy was defined by 'a lack of compassion', saying successive Conservative governments had failed the immigration system. Charities have also criticised the proposals, saying they would create an unfair two-tiered system. "This is inhumane,” British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson said. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain toughens its post-Brexit asylum system 

The Joe Biden administration is granting temporary protected status to Venezuelan migrants living in the United States and is also working to coordinate international pressure against President Nicolas Maduro to hold free and fair elections.

US grants temporary protection to Venezuelan refugees

Malaysia sent more than 1,000 Myanmar nationals back to their strife-torn homeland on Tuesday despite a court order to halt the deportation, a move rights groups said could endanger the deportees' lives.&nbsp;

The 1,086 Myanmar citizens were sent back on three navy ships sent by Myanmar's military, which seized power in a February 1 coup, sparking weeks of protests from pro-democracy activists. Malaysia had initially said it would deport 1,200.&nbsp;

Malaysia vowed not to deport Rohingya Muslims or refugees registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). But the agency has said at least six people registered with it were among the deportees. Refugee groups also say asylum seekers from the minority Chin, Kachin and non-Rohingya Muslim communities fleeing conflict and persecution at home are among those being deported.&nbsp;

Malaysia's Immigration Department director-general said the repatriated Myanmar citizens did not include Rohingya refugees or asylum-seekers.&nbsp;

"All of those returned had agreed to be sent back voluntarily without being forced by any party," Khairul Dzaimee Daud said in a statement.&nbsp;

He did not respond to queries on why the repatriation was carried out despite the court-ordered halt.&nbsp;

The Kuala Lumpur High Court had granted a stay until 10 am on Wednesday, when it was scheduled to hear an application by rights groups for a judicial review to suspend the deportation.&nbsp;

Just before the ruling, the migrants were sent by bus from across the country to the naval base at Lumut in western Malaysia where the Myanmar ships were docked.&nbsp;

Those deported had been detained for immigration offences. Malaysia does not formally recognise refugees, treating them as undocumented migrants.&nbsp;

Amnesty International, one of the groups, which requested the judicial review, called the decision to deport without a proper assessment of the returnees 'inhumane and devastating'.&nbsp;

"Using indirect means to push people back to face grave human rights violations is essentially constructive refoulement," Katrina Maliamauv, Amnesty Malaysia director, said in a statement.&nbsp;

"There are still huge, deeply concerning question marks over the status of those sent back today."&nbsp;

The rights groups in their court filing said among the deportees were three people registered with the UNHCR and 17 minors, who have at least one parent in Malaysia.&nbsp;

Malaysia sent more than 1,000 Myanmar nationals back to their strife-torn homeland on Tuesday despite a court order to halt the deportation, a move rights groups said could endanger the deportees' lives.

Malaysia sent more than 1,000 Myanmar nationals back to their strife-torn homeland on Tuesday despite a court order to halt the deportation, a move rights groups said could endanger the deportees' lives. The 1,086 Myanmar citizens were sent back on three navy ships sent by Myanmar's military, which seized power in a February 1 coup, sparking weeks of protests from pro-democracy activists. Malaysia had initially said it would deport 1,200. Malaysia vowed not to deport Rohingya Muslims or refugees registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). But the agency has said at least six people registered with it were among the deportees. Refugee groups also say asylum seekers from the minority Chin, Kachin and non-Rohingya Muslim communities fleeing conflict and persecution at home are among those being deported. Malaysia's Immigration Department director-general said the repatriated Myanmar citizens did not include Rohingya refugees or asylum-seekers. "All of those returned had agreed to be sent back voluntarily without being forced by any party," Khairul Dzaimee Daud said in a statement. He did not respond to queries on why the repatriation was carried out despite the court-ordered halt. The Kuala Lumpur High Court had granted a stay until 10 am on Wednesday, when it was scheduled to hear an application by rights groups for a judicial review to suspend the deportation. Just before the ruling, the migrants were sent by bus from across the country to the naval base at Lumut in western Malaysia where the Myanmar ships were docked. Those deported had been detained for immigration offences. Malaysia does not formally recognise refugees, treating them as undocumented migrants. Amnesty International, one of the groups, which requested the judicial review, called the decision to deport without a proper assessment of the returnees 'inhumane and devastating'. "Using indirect means to push people back to face grave human rights violations is essentially constructive refoulement," Katrina Maliamauv, Amnesty Malaysia director, said in a statement. "There are still huge, deeply concerning question marks over the status of those sent back today." The rights groups in their court filing said among the deportees were three people registered with the UNHCR and 17 minors, who have at least one parent in Malaysia.

Defying court order, Malaysia deports over 1,000 Myanmar refugees

Holocaust Remembrance Day: A look at Israel's hidden memorial

Bangladesh to send the second batch of Rohingya refugees to the isolated island of Bhashan Char on Tuesday, More than 1500 refugees are moved to Bhashan Char camps.

Bangladesh moves second batch of refugees to the Bhashan Char island

Bangladesh is set to move a second batch of Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Myanmar to the remote island of Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal this month, officials said on Sunday, despite calls by rights groups not to carry out further relocations. 
 
Around 1,000 Rohingya refugees, members of a Muslim minority who have fled Myanmar, will be moved to the island in the next few days after Bangladesh relocated more than 1,600 early this month, two officials with the direct knowledge of the matter said. 
 
"They will be moved to Chittagong first and then to Bhasan Char, depending on the high tide," one of the officials said. The officials declined to be named as the issue had not been made public. 
 
Mohammed Shamsud Douza, the deputy Bangladesh government official in charge of refugees, said the relocation was voluntary. "They will not be sent against their will." 
 
The United Nations has said it has not been allowed to carry out a technical and safety assessment of Bhasan Char, a flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal, and was not involved in the transfer of refugees there. 
 
Bangladesh says it is transferring only people who are willing to go and the move will ease chronic overcrowding in camps that are home to more than 1 million Rohingya. 
 
But refugees and humanitarian workers say some of the Rohingya have been coerced into going to the island, which emerged from the sea 20 years ago. 
 
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen told Reuters earlier this month the United Nations should first assess and verify how conducive the environment in Myanmar`s Rakhine state was for repatriating the refugees, before carrying out an assessment of Bhasan Char. 
 
Several attempts to kickstart repatriation of Rohingya to Myanmar have failed after refugees said they were too fearful of further violence to return.

Bangladesh is set to move a second batch of Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Myanmar to the remote island of Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal this month, officials said on Sunday, despite calls by rights groups not to carry out further relocations.

Bangladesh is set to move a second batch of Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Myanmar to the remote island of Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal this month, officials said on Sunday, despite calls by rights groups not to carry out further relocations. Around 1,000 Rohingya refugees, members of a Muslim minority who have fled Myanmar, will be moved to the island in the next few days after Bangladesh relocated more than 1,600 early this month, two officials with the direct knowledge of the matter said. "They will be moved to Chittagong first and then to Bhasan Char, depending on the high tide," one of the officials said. The officials declined to be named as the issue had not been made public. Mohammed Shamsud Douza, the deputy Bangladesh government official in charge of refugees, said the relocation was voluntary. "They will not be sent against their will." The United Nations has said it has not been allowed to carry out a technical and safety assessment of Bhasan Char, a flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal, and was not involved in the transfer of refugees there. Bangladesh says it is transferring only people who are willing to go and the move will ease chronic overcrowding in camps that are home to more than 1 million Rohingya. But refugees and humanitarian workers say some of the Rohingya have been coerced into going to the island, which emerged from the sea 20 years ago. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen told Reuters earlier this month the United Nations should first assess and verify how conducive the environment in Myanmar`s Rakhine state was for repatriating the refugees, before carrying out an assessment of Bhasan Char. Several attempts to kickstart repatriation of Rohingya to Myanmar have failed after refugees said they were too fearful of further violence to return.

Bangladesh set to move second batch of Rohingya refugees to remote island

Ethiopian refugees are evacuating border camps as aid resources are diverted to Um Rakouba camp. The countries main camp, where many still lack food and shelter.

Ethiopian refugees evacuate Sudan border camp

1,600 Rohingya refugees now have a new home in Bangladesh's Bhasan Char, but some international organizations are slamming Bangladesh for relocating them.

Bangladesh begins transfer of Rohingyas to Bhasan Char Island

Hundreds have died, more than 40,000 refugees have fled to Sudan, and there has been widespread destruction and uprooting of people from homes in the northern Tigray region.

Ethiopia: Innocent civilians caught in crossfire

Bangladesh is re-locating nearly 1,00,000 Rohingya Refugees to the Bhashan Char Island. WION's Lakmina Jesmin Soma brings you a ground report from Bangladesh.

Gravitas: Bangladesh is re-locating 1,00,000 Rohingya Refugees

India has been invited for a global aid conference for Rohingya Refugees that is being co-hosted by US, UK, EU and UN Refugee Agency. The aim of the conference is to generate funds to support Rohingya Refugees who have been displaced from Myanmar.

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "On the issue of displaced persons from Rakhine state, you would know...as a neighbour of both Bangladesh and Myanmar, India has stakes in the issue. We are committed to ensuring early, safe and sustainable repatriation of the displaced persons to the Rakhine state in Myanmar and towards this end we have committed resources to both countries"

The UN has appealed for more than $1 billion in aid to meet the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh this year, but so far less than half has been contributed. The conference will take place virtually and takes place on October 22.

India has been invited for a global aid conference for Rohingya Refugees that is being co-hosted by US, UK, EU and UN Refugee Agency. The aim of the conference is to generate funds to support Rohingya Refugees who have been displaced from Myanmar.

India has been invited for a global aid conference for Rohingya Refugees that is being co-hosted by US, UK, EU and UN Refugee Agency. The aim of the conference is to generate funds to support Rohingya Refugees who have been displaced from Myanmar. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "On the issue of displaced persons from Rakhine state, you would know...as a neighbour of both Bangladesh and Myanmar, India has stakes in the issue. We are committed to ensuring early, safe and sustainable repatriation of the displaced persons to the Rakhine state in Myanmar and towards this end we have committed resources to both countries" The UN has appealed for more than $1 billion in aid to meet the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh this year, but so far less than half has been contributed. The conference will take place virtually and takes place on October 22.

India invited for global aid conference on rohingya refugees 

A migrant rescue boat financed by Banksy called for help after it was stranded in the Mediterranean Sea. After which Italian coastguard came forward to help Banksy's boat.

Italian coastguard helps rescue boat funded by Banksy

According to UN Refugee Agency official, Turkey is the country that has hosted the largest number of refugees for five consecutive years, including more Syrian refugees than any other country.

Turkey hosts 4 million refugees, migrants cross country to enter Europe

In the sprawling desert premises of the Zaatari refugee camp, small oases of greenery are now dotting the landscape. Plants and herbs like mint, tomatoes, and cucumbers are thriving despite the infertile land, thanks to two simple elements - water and some old mattresses.

Syrian refugees grow crops in old mattresses

United Nations' World Refugee Day on Saturday (June 20), will be the same as every day for Marwan Kuwaik, a 70-year-old Palestinian in Gaza, who will be focused on trying to eke out a living by selling snack food on the street. This year's event is aimed at reminding the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society, the U.N. said on its website.

On World Refugee Day, Palestinian tries to scrape by in Gaza

A record 50.8 million people worldwide were internally displaced last year due to conflict or disaster according to the data revealed by a recent report.

This is the highest number ever, and 10 million more than in 2018.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-covid-19-can-push-half-a-billion-people-into-poverty-291463">How COVID-19 can push half a billion people into poverty?</a>

The report published by the Norwegian Refugee Council’s&nbsp;Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), also said that&nbsp;Covid-19 may add further risks to millions of already vulnerable people.

It showed that the majority of new cases of displacement last year were in poorer countries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-coronavirus-end-in-us-uk-france-india-study-predicts-dates-month-295324">When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates &amp; month</a>

The data used&nbsp;in the study was calculated at the end of 2019. It was revealed that 45.7 million people were internally displaced&nbsp; and effectively became&nbsp;refugees in their own country,&nbsp;as a result of violence in 61 countries.

An additional 5.1 million people in 96 countries had been displaced by natural disasters&nbsp;such as earthquakes and floods.

Contributing to the figures, it says, are 33.4 million new displacements recorded in 2019, the highest annual figure since 2012.

Alexandra Bilak, the IDMC director, said she had hoped internal displacement would receive more global attention this year, following the launch in October of a&nbsp;UN high-level panel&nbsp;to address the problem and find long-term solutions. The panel held its first meeting in February.

A record 50.8 million people worldwide were internally displaced last year due to conflict or disaster according to the data revealed by a recent report. This is the highest number ever, and 10 million more than in 2018.

A record 50.8 million people worldwide were internally displaced last year due to conflict or disaster according to the data revealed by a recent report. This is the highest number ever, and 10 million more than in 2018. Also read: How COVID-19 can push half a billion people into poverty? The report published by the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), also said that Covid-19 may add further risks to millions of already vulnerable people. It showed that the majority of new cases of displacement last year were in poorer countries. Also read: When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates & month The data used in the study was calculated at the end of 2019. It was revealed that 45.7 million people were internally displaced and effectively became refugees in their own country, as a result of violence in 61 countries. An additional 5.1 million people in 96 countries had been displaced by natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Contributing to the figures, it says, are 33.4 million new displacements recorded in 2019, the highest annual figure since 2012. Alexandra Bilak, the IDMC director, said she had hoped internal displacement would receive more global attention this year, following the launch in October of a UN high-level panel to address the problem and find long-term solutions. The panel held its first meeting in February.

Report reveals record 50 million people internally displaced

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