Myanmar must "show results" to convince Rohingya refugees to return, the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said Friday at the end of his first visit to Myanmar since the crackdown against Rohingya Muslims in 2017.

A brutal military campaign in western Rakhine state forced some 740,000 Rohingya over the border into Bangladesh.

Around one million Rohingya now languish in sprawling refugee camps from various waves of persecution.

A UN fact-finding mission called for Myanmar’s top generals to be prosecuted for "genocide" and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has started preliminary investigations.

During his visit Grandi spoke with both Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine Buddhist communities in Maungdaw and Buthidaung in northern Rakhine, the epicentre of the violence.&nbsp;

He also held discussions with officials in capital Naypyidaw, including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, describing all talks as "constructive".

"My message is, 'please accelerate', because it has been very slow in the implementation in this first year. We need to show results," he told AFP in an interview in Yangon.

"This is not enough to convince people to come back," he said.

Grandi visited the camps in Bangladesh in April.

The two countries have signed a repatriation agreement but so far virtually no refugees have returned, fearing for their safety and unconvinced they will be granted citizenship.

Myanmar pejoratively labels the Rohingya as "Bengali", implying they are illegal interlopers and the community has had its rights eroded over decades.

Gaining independent access to northern Rakhine is difficult with most journalists, observers and diplomats only allowed on brief chaperoned visits.

Grandi defended the UNHCR’s involvement in a plan by the Bangladeshi government to move some 100,000 refugees onto low-lying island Bhashan Char.

The area in the Bay of Bengal is prone to flooding and cyclones.

Rights groups oppose the scheme that has also so far been universally rejected by the Rohingya themselves.

The refugee agency must be "involved" to have the necessary information in order to take a stance on the issue, Grandi said.

"We’re still at that stage, no more than that."

He also visited camps near Rakhine’s capital Sittwe, where nearly 130,000 Rohingya have been confined since a previous bout of violence in 2012.

Myanmar has announced it will close the camps but many are sceptical the displaced will enjoy more freedoms.

Grandi said the UNHCR would reconsider its role in providing services if conditions did not substantially improve.

"To simply transform the camps, upgrade the camps, upgrade the houses, for example, but leave them in the same situation will not be a solution," he said.

Myanmar must "show results" to convince Rohingya refugees to return, the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said Friday at the end of his first visit to Myanmar since the crackdown against Rohingya Muslims in 2017.

Myanmar must "show results" to convince Rohingya refugees to return, the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said Friday at the end of his first visit to Myanmar since the crackdown against Rohingya Muslims in 2017. A brutal military campaign in western Rakhine state forced some 740,000 Rohingya over the border into Bangladesh. Around one million Rohingya now languish in sprawling refugee camps from various waves of persecution. A UN fact-finding mission called for Myanmar’s top generals to be prosecuted for "genocide" and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has started preliminary investigations. During his visit Grandi spoke with both Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine Buddhist communities in Maungdaw and Buthidaung in northern Rakhine, the epicentre of the violence. He also held discussions with officials in capital Naypyidaw, including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, describing all talks as "constructive". "My message is, 'please accelerate', because it has been very slow in the implementation in this first year. We need to show results," he told AFP in an interview in Yangon. "This is not enough to convince people to come back," he said. Grandi visited the camps in Bangladesh in April. The two countries have signed a repatriation agreement but so far virtually no refugees have returned, fearing for their safety and unconvinced they will be granted citizenship. Myanmar pejoratively labels the Rohingya as "Bengali", implying they are illegal interlopers and the community has had its rights eroded over decades. Gaining independent access to northern Rakhine is difficult with most journalists, observers and diplomats only allowed on brief chaperoned visits. Grandi defended the UNHCR’s involvement in a plan by the Bangladeshi government to move some 100,000 refugees onto low-lying island Bhashan Char. The area in the Bay of Bengal is prone to flooding and cyclones. Rights groups oppose the scheme that has also so far been universally rejected by the Rohingya themselves. The refugee agency must be "involved" to have the necessary information in order to take a stance on the issue, Grandi said. "We’re still at that stage, no more than that." He also visited camps near Rakhine’s capital Sittwe, where nearly 130,000 Rohingya have been confined since a previous bout of violence in 2012. Myanmar has announced it will close the camps but many are sceptical the displaced will enjoy more freedoms. Grandi said the UNHCR would reconsider its role in providing services if conditions did not substantially improve. "To simply transform the camps, upgrade the camps, upgrade the houses, for example, but leave them in the same situation will not be a solution," he said.

'Results' needed from Myanmar over Rohingya return: UNHCR head

Pope Francis paid tribute on Saturday to journalists killed while doing their jobs, saying media freedom is a key indicator of a country's health.

In an address to the Foreign Press Association in Italy, he urged journalists to shun fake news and continue reporting on the plight of people who no longer make headlines but are still suffering, specifically mentioning the Rohingya and Yazidi.

"I listened in pain to the statistics about your colleagues killed while carrying out their work with courage and dedication in so many countries to report on what is happening in wars and other dramatic situations in which so many of our brothers and sisters in the world live," he said.

Francis had just heard the association's president, Patricia Thomas of Associated Press Television, talk about journalists killed, imprisoned, wounded or threatened in their line of work.

She mentioned Lyra Mckee, who was shot dead while covering a riot in Northern Ireland, Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who died in a car bomb in 2017, and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year.

"Freedom of the press and of expression is an important indicator of the state of a country's health," the pope said. "Let's not forget that one of the first things dictatorships do is remove freedom of the press or mask it, not leaving it free."

Francis did not mention any countries in his address to about 400 members of the foreign media and their families.

"We need journalists who are on the side of victims, on the side of those who are persecuted, on the side of who is excluded, cast aside, discriminated against," he said.

In an apparent reference to the media's role in investigating the Roman Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis, Francis said,&nbsp;"The Church holds you in esteem, also when you put your finger in a wound, even if the wound is in the Church community."

Francis urged the media to not lose interest in tragedies even when they no longer make headlines.

"Who is talking about the Rohingya today? Who is talking about the Yazidi today? They have been forgotten and they continue to suffer," he said.

Nearly one million Rohingya Muslims from mostly Buddhist Myanmar have fled to Bangladesh, most following a Myanmar military-led crackdown in 2017 that UN&nbsp;investigators have said was conducted with "genocidal intent". Myanmar has denied almost all allegations of atrocities.

Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from prison earlier this month after more than 500 days behind bars.

Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. They were released under a presidential amnesty for 6,520 prisoners.

Islamic State militants in Iraq shot, beheaded, burned alive or kidnapped more than 9,000 members of the minority Yazidi religion, in what the United Nations has called a genocidal campaign against them.

Pope Francis paid tribute on Saturday to journalists killed while doing their jobs, saying media freedom is a key indicator of a country's health. In an address to the Foreign Press Association in Italy, he urged journalists to shun fake news and continue reporting on the plight of people who no longer make headlines but are still suffering, specifically mentioning the Rohingya and Yazidi.

Pope Francis paid tribute on Saturday to journalists killed while doing their jobs, saying media freedom is a key indicator of a country's health. In an address to the Foreign Press Association in Italy, he urged journalists to shun fake news and continue reporting on the plight of people who no longer make headlines but are still suffering, specifically mentioning the Rohingya and Yazidi. "I listened in pain to the statistics about your colleagues killed while carrying out their work with courage and dedication in so many countries to report on what is happening in wars and other dramatic situations in which so many of our brothers and sisters in the world live," he said. Francis had just heard the association's president, Patricia Thomas of Associated Press Television, talk about journalists killed, imprisoned, wounded or threatened in their line of work. She mentioned Lyra Mckee, who was shot dead while covering a riot in Northern Ireland, Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who died in a car bomb in 2017, and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year. "Freedom of the press and of expression is an important indicator of the state of a country's health," the pope said. "Let's not forget that one of the first things dictatorships do is remove freedom of the press or mask it, not leaving it free." Francis did not mention any countries in his address to about 400 members of the foreign media and their families. "We need journalists who are on the side of victims, on the side of those who are persecuted, on the side of who is excluded, cast aside, discriminated against," he said. In an apparent reference to the media's role in investigating the Roman Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis, Francis said, "The Church holds you in esteem, also when you put your finger in a wound, even if the wound is in the Church community." Francis urged the media to not lose interest in tragedies even when they no longer make headlines. "Who is talking about the Rohingya today? Who is talking about the Yazidi today? They have been forgotten and they continue to suffer," he said. Nearly one million Rohingya Muslims from mostly Buddhist Myanmar have fled to Bangladesh, most following a Myanmar military-led crackdown in 2017 that UN investigators have said was conducted with "genocidal intent". Myanmar has denied almost all allegations of atrocities. Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from prison earlier this month after more than 500 days behind bars. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. They were released under a presidential amnesty for 6,520 prisoners. Islamic State militants in Iraq shot, beheaded, burned alive or kidnapped more than 9,000 members of the minority Yazidi religion, in what the United Nations has called a genocidal campaign against them.

Pope pays tribute journalists killed; says press freedom vital

The UN said Friday it has registered more than 250,000 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/alleged-rohingya-traffickers-shot-by-bangladesh-police-103-refugees-rescued-219012">Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh</a>, providing many with their first ever identification cards and proof of their right to return to Myanmar in the future.

The UN refugee agency also said the registration could serve as a tool for law enforcement to help counter human trafficking.

"Over a quarter of a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have now been jointly registered and provided with identity cards by Bangladesh authorities and UNHCR," spokesman Andrej Mahecic told reporters in Geneva.

Some 740,000 Rohingya refugees fled a military crackdown in August 2017 to cross into Bangladesh where 300,000 members of the persecuted Muslim minority were already in camps.

Many <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-exile-in-bangladesh-a-bittersweet-revival-of-rohingya-culture-216919">Rohingya refugees who fled</a> said there had been mass rapes and slaughters in the villages, and in a report published last September, the fact-finding mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe the atrocities amounted to "genocide".

UNHCR puts the number of Rohingya refugees currently crowded into settlements in Cox's Bazar at around 900,000, although the UN often gives a lower number than Bangladesh authorities and other aid organisations.

They are stateless, despite the fact that many of their families have lived in Myanmar for generations since members of the Muslim minority have had their citizenship eroded over decades.

"The registration exercise, which began in June 2018, is about safeguarding the right of Rohingya refugees to be able to return home voluntarily to Myanmar in future," Mahecic said.&nbsp;

Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of understanding about repatriating the Rohingya, but so far safety fears and concerns over citizenship mean the refugees have refused to return.

The new ID cards, provided to all refugees over the age of 12, lists important information, including names, family links and fingerprints and Iris scans.

Mahecic also said that the cards list Myanmar as the refugees' country of origin.

In total, 270,348 refugees, or nearly 60,000 families, have been registered, and around 4,000 people are added to the roster each day, he said.

UNHCR's goal is to complete the process of registering all the Rohingya in Cox's Bazar by November.

Mahecic pointed out that comprehensive registration is important for improving the accuracy of data on refugees in Bangladesh, and provides authorities and humanitarians with a better understanding of the population and its needs.

He also said that the registration "can also serve as a better tool vis-a-vis the authorities to prevent and combat smuggling and trafficking".

His comment came after a rise in attempted human smuggling of Rohingya in the last few months, amid growing desperation in the camps.

Earlier this week, Bangladeshi police shot dead two suspected Rohingya human traffickers, after rescuing 103 refugees in two days about to make the perilous sea voyage to Malaysia.

The UN said Friday it has registered more than 250,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, providing many with their first ever identification cards and proof of their right to return to Myanmar in the future.

The UN said Friday it has registered more than 250,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, providing many with their first ever identification cards and proof of their right to return to Myanmar in the future. The UN refugee agency also said the registration could serve as a tool for law enforcement to help counter human trafficking. "Over a quarter of a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have now been jointly registered and provided with identity cards by Bangladesh authorities and UNHCR," spokesman Andrej Mahecic told reporters in Geneva. Some 740,000 Rohingya refugees fled a military crackdown in August 2017 to cross into Bangladesh where 300,000 members of the persecuted Muslim minority were already in camps. Many Rohingya refugees who fled said there had been mass rapes and slaughters in the villages, and in a report published last September, the fact-finding mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe the atrocities amounted to "genocide". UNHCR puts the number of Rohingya refugees currently crowded into settlements in Cox's Bazar at around 900,000, although the UN often gives a lower number than Bangladesh authorities and other aid organisations. They are stateless, despite the fact that many of their families have lived in Myanmar for generations since members of the Muslim minority have had their citizenship eroded over decades. "The registration exercise, which began in June 2018, is about safeguarding the right of Rohingya refugees to be able to return home voluntarily to Myanmar in future," Mahecic said. Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of understanding about repatriating the Rohingya, but so far safety fears and concerns over citizenship mean the refugees have refused to return. The new ID cards, provided to all refugees over the age of 12, lists important information, including names, family links and fingerprints and Iris scans. Mahecic also said that the cards list Myanmar as the refugees' country of origin. In total, 270,348 refugees, or nearly 60,000 families, have been registered, and around 4,000 people are added to the roster each day, he said. UNHCR's goal is to complete the process of registering all the Rohingya in Cox's Bazar by November. Mahecic pointed out that comprehensive registration is important for improving the accuracy of data on refugees in Bangladesh, and provides authorities and humanitarians with a better understanding of the population and its needs. He also said that the registration "can also serve as a better tool vis-a-vis the authorities to prevent and combat smuggling and trafficking". His comment came after a rise in attempted human smuggling of Rohingya in the last few months, amid growing desperation in the camps. Earlier this week, Bangladeshi police shot dead two suspected Rohingya human traffickers, after rescuing 103 refugees in two days about to make the perilous sea voyage to Malaysia.

Some 250,000 Rohingyas have received first ID cards in Bangladesh: United Nations

Bangladeshi police shot dead two suspected <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-exile-in-bangladesh-a-bittersweet-revival-of-rohingya-culture-216919&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiey8rN153iAhXFK48KHc1TBi4QFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1okm4Rmfta8vC9H-5d9gOH">Rohingya </a>human traffickers, officials said Wednesday, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-police-rescue-dozens-of-rohingya-being-trafficked-to-malaysia-218629&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiey8rN153iAhXFK48KHc1TBi4QFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3XQL5CppKi8_2MHU92PC4F">after rescuing 103 refugees in two days</a> about to make the perilous sea voyage to Malaysia.

The two Rohingya men were killed outside a refugee camp in the southeast on Tuesday evening, said Prodip Kumar Das, police chief of Teknaf which borders Myanmar.

"They opened fire at the police. We fired back in retaliation," he told AFP.

This is the first time in four years suspected human traffickers were killed in a gunfight in Bangladesh's southeast.&nbsp;

It follows a rise in attempted human smuggling of Rohingya in the last few months. &nbsp; &nbsp;

People-smugglers have in recent years sent tens of thousands of Rohingya from the Bangladesh camps by boat to relatively prosperous Malaysia, usually between November and April when the seas are calmer.

But the route was disrupted in 2015 when a Bangladeshi crackdown killed dozens of top traffickers after Thai authorities discovered mass graves and overcrowded boats drifting at sea.&nbsp;

Now the traffickers are back, officials say, preying on the camps where 740,000 Rohingya took shelter in 2017 after fleeing a brutal military crackdown in their homeland in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/un-experts-urge-financial-isolation-of-myanmar-military-218741&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiey8rN153iAhXFK48KHc1TBi4QFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0fjEzMKN_GqYOhJe1eEaJs">Myanmar</a>.

Masud Hossain, police chief of Cox's Bazar district, told AFP that the police alone have this year rescued over 300 Rohingya, including many young girls, lured by traffickers to go to Malaysia.

On Tuesday evening Cox's Bazar police rescued 34 Rohingya bound for Malaysia, local police chief Fariduddin Khandker said, a day after 69 people were rescued.

Police also intercepted 23 Rohingya teenage girls from the capital Dhaka last week waiting to be trafficked to Malaysia by air. Police suspect the girls were to be sold for forced prostitution.

Rights activists are worried about growing desperation in the camps but said gunfights were not the solution.

"This (killing traffickers in gunfights) will never bring any permanent solution. Instead, it will create a horrific environment in the camps," prominent rights worker Nur Khan Liton told AFP.

Bangladeshi police shot dead two suspected Rohingya human traffickers, officials said Wednesday, after rescuing 103 refugees in two days about to make the perilous sea voyage to Malaysia.

Bangladeshi police shot dead two suspected Rohingya human traffickers, officials said Wednesday, after rescuing 103 refugees in two days about to make the perilous sea voyage to Malaysia. The two Rohingya men were killed outside a refugee camp in the southeast on Tuesday evening, said Prodip Kumar Das, police chief of Teknaf which borders Myanmar. "They opened fire at the police. We fired back in retaliation," he told AFP. This is the first time in four years suspected human traffickers were killed in a gunfight in Bangladesh's southeast. It follows a rise in attempted human smuggling of Rohingya in the last few months. People-smugglers have in recent years sent tens of thousands of Rohingya from the Bangladesh camps by boat to relatively prosperous Malaysia, usually between November and April when the seas are calmer. But the route was disrupted in 2015 when a Bangladeshi crackdown killed dozens of top traffickers after Thai authorities discovered mass graves and overcrowded boats drifting at sea. Now the traffickers are back, officials say, preying on the camps where 740,000 Rohingya took shelter in 2017 after fleeing a brutal military crackdown in their homeland in Myanmar. Masud Hossain, police chief of Cox's Bazar district, told AFP that the police alone have this year rescued over 300 Rohingya, including many young girls, lured by traffickers to go to Malaysia. On Tuesday evening Cox's Bazar police rescued 34 Rohingya bound for Malaysia, local police chief Fariduddin Khandker said, a day after 69 people were rescued. Police also intercepted 23 Rohingya teenage girls from the capital Dhaka last week waiting to be trafficked to Malaysia by air. Police suspect the girls were to be sold for forced prostitution. Rights activists are worried about growing desperation in the camps but said gunfights were not the solution. "This (killing traffickers in gunfights) will never bring any permanent solution. Instead, it will create a horrific environment in the camps," prominent rights worker Nur Khan Liton told AFP.

Alleged Rohingya traffickers shot by Bangladesh police, 103 refugees rescued

A U.N. official on Tuesday (May 14) has urged Myanmar to grant aid workers "predictable, sustained access" to Rakhine state, where fighting between government troops and rebels has displaced nearly 33,000 people since late last year, saying lack of aid has cost lives.

'People are dying': U.N official urges Myanmar to grant aid access to Rakhine state

Rakhine villagers trapped by a Myanmar army lockdown said Tuesday they are fast running out of water as the operation against suspected ethnic rebels -- which killed six and saw mass detentions -- entered a third week.

Thousands of troops have been deployed across northern Rakhine to root out Arakan Army (AA) insurgents in violence which has displaced more than 30,000 people since December.

Myanmar's armed forces are using heavy artillery against the AA, who are fighting for more autonomy for the state's ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, but civilians say they have been caught up in the operations.

Complex ethnic and religious divisions cut across Rakhine state.

It was also the scene of the military's brutal crackdown against Rohingya Muslims in 2017, which forced some 740,000 over the border into Bangladesh in violence branded as "genocide" by UN investigators.

On 30 April, security forces raided the ethnic Rakhine village of Kyauk Tan in Rathedaung township, taking 275 men for interrogation at a school.

They admitted shooting dead six detainees and wounding eight more two days later, claiming the men tried to attack them.

Eight men have been arrested and taken to state capital Sittwe, military spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said, adding that six of them had confessed to being AA members.

He said all the remaining detainees were released Monday.

But residents told AFP by phone Tuesday the village remained sealed off -- and food and water supplies were running dangerously low.

"Both humans and animals are thirsty as we still cannot go outside the village," said village elder Tun Thein, 56.

"Some animals have died from starvation and thirst," he said, adding soldiers were still preventing residents from moving freely.

Another woman, asking not to be named, said the villagers were forced to boil "muddy water" to drink.

Zaw Min Tun said as far as he knew the only people still facing constraints were the released detainees in case they were needed for "further investigation".

Access to the north of Rakhine state is heavily restricted, making independent verification difficult.

In the absence of oversight, fears are mounting of military impunity. &nbsp;

Zaw Naing was one of the final detainees released from the school Monday.

He told AFP three of his family were among those shot dead during the ordeal and said residents were still "living in fear".

The AA has denied the villagers were rebels.

Three other ethnic Rakhine men died in military custody last month.

Rakhine villagers trapped by a Myanmar army lockdown said Tuesday they are fast running out of water as the operation against suspected ethnic rebels -- which killed six and saw mass detentions -- entered a third week.

Rakhine villagers trapped by a Myanmar army lockdown said Tuesday they are fast running out of water as the operation against suspected ethnic rebels -- which killed six and saw mass detentions -- entered a third week. Thousands of troops have been deployed across northern Rakhine to root out Arakan Army (AA) insurgents in violence which has displaced more than 30,000 people since December. Myanmar's armed forces are using heavy artillery against the AA, who are fighting for more autonomy for the state's ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, but civilians say they have been caught up in the operations. Complex ethnic and religious divisions cut across Rakhine state. It was also the scene of the military's brutal crackdown against Rohingya Muslims in 2017, which forced some 740,000 over the border into Bangladesh in violence branded as "genocide" by UN investigators. On 30 April, security forces raided the ethnic Rakhine village of Kyauk Tan in Rathedaung township, taking 275 men for interrogation at a school. They admitted shooting dead six detainees and wounding eight more two days later, claiming the men tried to attack them. Eight men have been arrested and taken to state capital Sittwe, military spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said, adding that six of them had confessed to being AA members. He said all the remaining detainees were released Monday. But residents told AFP by phone Tuesday the village remained sealed off -- and food and water supplies were running dangerously low. "Both humans and animals are thirsty as we still cannot go outside the village," said village elder Tun Thein, 56. "Some animals have died from starvation and thirst," he said, adding soldiers were still preventing residents from moving freely. Another woman, asking not to be named, said the villagers were forced to boil "muddy water" to drink. Zaw Min Tun said as far as he knew the only people still facing constraints were the released detainees in case they were needed for "further investigation". Access to the north of Rakhine state is heavily restricted, making independent verification difficult. In the absence of oversight, fears are mounting of military impunity. Zaw Naing was one of the final detainees released from the school Monday. He told AFP three of his family were among those shot dead during the ordeal and said residents were still "living in fear". The AA has denied the villagers were rebels. Three other ethnic Rakhine men died in military custody last month.

'Dead livestock and water running out' in Myanmar village under army lockdown

Twenty-three teenage Rohingya girls were rescued after being brought from refugee camps to the capital Dhaka to be sent to Malaysia by air, Bangladesh police said Sunday.

Dhaka police also arrested four<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-jails-three-rohingya-extremists-for-10-years-214161"> human traffickers including a Rohingya couple</a> and recovered over 50 Bangladeshi passports from them on Saturday.

Police spokesman Mokhlesur Rahman said they raided a residence in the northern part of the city and found the teenagers hiding in a room behind a tailoring shop.

"They were promised jobs in Malaysia and brought from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar," he told AFP, referring to the Rohingya settlements in Bangladesh's southeastern coastal district.

The girls -- aged between 15 and 19 -- could have been potential victims of forced prostitution, the official said.

"We have filed cases against the four arrested persons and sent the girls back to their camps in Cox's Bazar," Rahman said.

Abul Khair, local police chief of Ukhiya, where Kutupalong, the largest refugee camp in the world, is situated, said he received the girls and would send them to their homes in the camps.

Some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims fled a brutal military clampdown in Myanmar in August 2017 and arrived in Bangladesh to join another 300,000 already living in the refugee camps.

Desperate for a better life and an economic future, the refugees including in particular teenage girls easily fall prey to human traffickers roaming in the overcrowded camps.

Thousands of the refugees have risked their lives travelling to Malaysia and Thailand -- mainly by boat -- when the Bay of Bengal is calm before monsoon season sets in at the end of May.

Bangladeshi authorities have stopped over 300 Rohingya this year alone from attempting such perilous boat journeys on rickety fishing boats.

Many have also attempted to fly to Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries by procuring Bangladeshi passports and travel documents.

Jishu Barua, an aid worker specialised in human trafficking prevention, said he dealt with 100 cases of human trafficking in the camps in the last six weeks.

"But this figure represents only a small portion of what is actually going on," he told AFP.

Twenty-three teenage Rohingya girls were rescued after being brought from refugee camps to the capital Dhaka to be sent to Malaysia by air, Bangladesh police said Sunday.

Twenty-three teenage Rohingya girls were rescued after being brought from refugee camps to the capital Dhaka to be sent to Malaysia by air, Bangladesh police said Sunday. Dhaka police also arrested four human traffickers including a Rohingya couple and recovered over 50 Bangladeshi passports from them on Saturday. Police spokesman Mokhlesur Rahman said they raided a residence in the northern part of the city and found the teenagers hiding in a room behind a tailoring shop. "They were promised jobs in Malaysia and brought from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar," he told AFP, referring to the Rohingya settlements in Bangladesh's southeastern coastal district. The girls -- aged between 15 and 19 -- could have been potential victims of forced prostitution, the official said. "We have filed cases against the four arrested persons and sent the girls back to their camps in Cox's Bazar," Rahman said. Abul Khair, local police chief of Ukhiya, where Kutupalong, the largest refugee camp in the world, is situated, said he received the girls and would send them to their homes in the camps. Some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims fled a brutal military clampdown in Myanmar in August 2017 and arrived in Bangladesh to join another 300,000 already living in the refugee camps. Desperate for a better life and an economic future, the refugees including in particular teenage girls easily fall prey to human traffickers roaming in the overcrowded camps. Thousands of the refugees have risked their lives travelling to Malaysia and Thailand -- mainly by boat -- when the Bay of Bengal is calm before monsoon season sets in at the end of May. Bangladeshi authorities have stopped over 300 Rohingya this year alone from attempting such perilous boat journeys on rickety fishing boats. Many have also attempted to fly to Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries by procuring Bangladeshi passports and travel documents. Jishu Barua, an aid worker specialised in human trafficking prevention, said he dealt with 100 cases of human trafficking in the camps in the last six weeks. "But this figure represents only a small portion of what is actually going on," he told AFP.

Bangladesh rescues 23 Rohingya girls from traffickers

After relentless diplomatic pressure and global outrage, fallen democracy icon <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/amnesty-international-strips-myanmars-suu-kyi-of-conscience-award-176943">Aung San Suu Kyi </a>finally decided that a pardon for two Myanmar journalists jailed for reporting on a Rohingya massacre was the only way to resolve an issue that has dogged her government for nearly 18 months.

Observers say the unexpected release of the two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/reuters-journalists-jailed-in-myanmar-freed-from-prison-216559">Reuters reporters</a> was a political decision timed to save face for the country's civilian leader, after a vigorous international campaign that saw Amal Clooney join their legal team, Time magazine put the pair on their cover, and journalism awards and honours pile up -- including the prestigious Pulitzer Prize.

A presidential pardon freed Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, from prison on Tuesday to a media frenzy and messages of congratulations from the White House to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The pair spent more than 500 days behind bars under colonial-era state secrets convictions after probing the extrajudicial killing of 10 Rohingya Muslims during a military crackdown.

Global attention on the reporters and the damage already done to the country's reputation were "potentially costly" to the government, said independent analyst Richard Horsey.

Nobel Laureate Suu Kyi -- already seen as a pariah by many for perceived complicity in the Rohingya's plight -- provoked outcry when she refused to intervene, insisting "rule of law" must be followed.

The abrupt decision to release the pair this week was made because <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-to-release-6500-prisoners-in-amnesty-on-tuesday-says-president-216638">Myanmar</a>'s leaders had "taken into consideration the long-term interest of (the) country", said government spokesman Zaw Htay.

Retired Thai diplomat Kobsak Chutikul, who has worked in an advisory capacity to Suu Kyi's government, told AFP that senior officials had all known a pardon must be granted at some point but "nobody felt they could bring this up with her".

Political timing was also a factor, observers say.

Myanmar is due to go to the polls next year and this was a chance to "get it out of the way" beforehand rather than risk overshadowing the vote, Kobsak said.

'Albatross round their necks'

Behind the international condemnation, backroom diplomacy appears to have played a key role in convincing Suu Kyi to pardon the reporters.

One man waiting among the crowds outside the gates of Yangon's notorious Insein Prison was British health expert Lord Ara Darzi, whose name barely came up during regular media coverage of the saga.

A close confidant of Suu Kyi, he has regularly visited the country over the past two years in an advisory role on a Rakhine state commission.

But he has known the leaders for years, and hosted her in London after her release from house arrest.

"From what I hear, he finally found the opportunity to convince Suu Kyi this was an albatross hanging round their necks," said Kobsak, who served alongside Darzi on another Myanmar government commission.

The discussion would have taken place "behind the scenes, in quiet conversations in her house", he added.

Darzi later hinted about his role to reporters at a press conference following the journalists' release.

"The lesson is simple: dialogue works even in the most difficult of circumstances," he said.

Presidential pardons are traditionally granted around the Myanmar new year in April.

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were freed in the third amnesty in just over a week that saw a total of 23,000 prisoners released.

The pair were handed a seven-year jail sentence last September, upheld first by Yangon's High Court and then the country's Supreme Court last month.

Reuters maintained the duo were imprisoned in retaliation for their expose, while legal experts argued the case was riddled with irregularities.

With the judicial process having run its course all the way to Myanmar's top court, Suu Kyi "may have been convinced the twisted passage of justice had been served," Yangon-based analyst David Mathieson said, calling her change of heart a "political calculation".

Despite the release, observers warn against reading too much into prospects for greater press freedom in the beleaguered democracy, which began a troubled transition from military rule in 2010.

"The pardon will not change the conditions that journalists (in Myanmar) are facing," said activist Cheery Zahau.

After relentless diplomatic pressure and global outrage, fallen democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi finally decided that a pardon for two Myanmar journalists jailed for reporting on a Rohingya massacre was the only way to resolve an issue that has dogged her government for nearly 18 months.

After relentless diplomatic pressure and global outrage, fallen democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi finally decided that a pardon for two Myanmar journalists jailed for reporting on a Rohingya massacre was the only way to resolve an issue that has dogged her government for nearly 18 months. Observers say the unexpected release of the two Reuters reporters was a political decision timed to save face for the country's civilian leader, after a vigorous international campaign that saw Amal Clooney join their legal team, Time magazine put the pair on their cover, and journalism awards and honours pile up -- including the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. A presidential pardon freed Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, from prison on Tuesday to a media frenzy and messages of congratulations from the White House to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The pair spent more than 500 days behind bars under colonial-era state secrets convictions after probing the extrajudicial killing of 10 Rohingya Muslims during a military crackdown. Global attention on the reporters and the damage already done to the country's reputation were "potentially costly" to the government, said independent analyst Richard Horsey. Nobel Laureate Suu Kyi -- already seen as a pariah by many for perceived complicity in the Rohingya's plight -- provoked outcry when she refused to intervene, insisting "rule of law" must be followed. The abrupt decision to release the pair this week was made because Myanmar's leaders had "taken into consideration the long-term interest of (the) country", said government spokesman Zaw Htay. Retired Thai diplomat Kobsak Chutikul, who has worked in an advisory capacity to Suu Kyi's government, told AFP that senior officials had all known a pardon must be granted at some point but "nobody felt they could bring this up with her". Political timing was also a factor, observers say. Myanmar is due to go to the polls next year and this was a chance to "get it out of the way" beforehand rather than risk overshadowing the vote, Kobsak said. 'Albatross round their necks' Behind the international condemnation, backroom diplomacy appears to have played a key role in convincing Suu Kyi to pardon the reporters. One man waiting among the crowds outside the gates of Yangon's notorious Insein Prison was British health expert Lord Ara Darzi, whose name barely came up during regular media coverage of the saga. A close confidant of Suu Kyi, he has regularly visited the country over the past two years in an advisory role on a Rakhine state commission. But he has known the leaders for years, and hosted her in London after her release from house arrest. "From what I hear, he finally found the opportunity to convince Suu Kyi this was an albatross hanging round their necks," said Kobsak, who served alongside Darzi on another Myanmar government commission. The discussion would have taken place "behind the scenes, in quiet conversations in her house", he added. Darzi later hinted about his role to reporters at a press conference following the journalists' release. "The lesson is simple: dialogue works even in the most difficult of circumstances," he said. Presidential pardons are traditionally granted around the Myanmar new year in April. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were freed in the third amnesty in just over a week that saw a total of 23,000 prisoners released. The pair were handed a seven-year jail sentence last September, upheld first by Yangon's High Court and then the country's Supreme Court last month. Reuters maintained the duo were imprisoned in retaliation for their expose, while legal experts argued the case was riddled with irregularities. With the judicial process having run its course all the way to Myanmar's top court, Suu Kyi "may have been convinced the twisted passage of justice had been served," Yangon-based analyst David Mathieson said, calling her change of heart a "political calculation". Despite the release, observers warn against reading too much into prospects for greater press freedom in the beleaguered democracy, which began a troubled transition from military rule in 2010. "The pardon will not change the conditions that journalists (in Myanmar) are facing," said activist Cheery Zahau.

Suu Kyi tries to save face with Myanmar reporters' release

Rohingya violinist Amir Ali, 75, from a wealthier family, learned to play violin as a child after developing an obsession with an instrument owned by one of his uncles and forging a makeshift copy out of bamboo. Later, he bought his own in Bangladesh.

Rohingya violinist finds solace in music

A total of 12 suspected Rohingyas from Bangladesh were arrested in Mizoram for entering the state without valid travel documents, a police officer said on Monday.

Eight women and four boys from Bangladesh were taken from a house to Bawngkawn police station here on Sunday, Deputy Inspector of Police (Northern Range) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said.

It is suspected that they were victims of human trafficking.

Khiangte said the arrested people had some mobile phones without SIM cards in their possession. An investigation is on to find out their identities.

The 12 people were found in the residence of a woman who claimed that her cousin who lives at Tahan in Myanmar had asked her favour to keep the 'guests' before being taken to the neighbouring country.

In late April, eight Rohingya women were detained at India-Myanmar border Vairengte town for trying to enter Mizoram illegally and were pushed back.

They had claimed that they were from Kutupalong refugee camp at Sabulara in Bangladesh and were abducted by a group of men on April 19 and brought them to Mizoram by truck.

More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled from Myanmar's Rakhine state to neighbouring Bangladesh since August 2017 after a military crackdown, triggering a massive refugee crisis.&nbsp;

A total of 12 suspected Rohingyas from Bangladesh were arrested in Mizoram for entering the state without valid travel documents, a police officer said on Monday.

A total of 12 suspected Rohingyas from Bangladesh were arrested in Mizoram for entering the state without valid travel documents, a police officer said on Monday. Eight women and four boys from Bangladesh were taken from a house to Bawngkawn police station here on Sunday, Deputy Inspector of Police (Northern Range) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said. It is suspected that they were victims of human trafficking. Khiangte said the arrested people had some mobile phones without SIM cards in their possession. An investigation is on to find out their identities. The 12 people were found in the residence of a woman who claimed that her cousin who lives at Tahan in Myanmar had asked her favour to keep the 'guests' before being taken to the neighbouring country. In late April, eight Rohingya women were detained at India-Myanmar border Vairengte town for trying to enter Mizoram illegally and were pushed back. They had claimed that they were from Kutupalong refugee camp at Sabulara in Bangladesh and were abducted by a group of men on April 19 and brought them to Mizoram by truck. More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled from Myanmar's Rakhine state to neighbouring Bangladesh since August 2017 after a military crackdown, triggering a massive refugee crisis.

12 suspected Rohingyas held in Mizoram

Myanmar security forces shot dead at least six people in the perturbed western state of Rakhine for their alleged links with rebel Arakan Army.

The army also detained nearly 275 people during a search operation to nab the members of the Rebel Army, reported Al Jazeera.

Soldiers opened fire at the detained villagers after the latter revolted against the army.

"Villagers were shot dead and eight others were seriously injured," said Khim Maung Lat, a member of the country`s Upper House of the Parliament.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Myanmar Red Cross in a statement said that three "severely injured patients" have been shifted to a hospital.

"The ICRC is concerned about increasing numbers of civilian casualties during the recent weeks, and urge all parties to protect the civilian population in line with International Humanitarian Law," said Stephan Sakalian, head of delegation in Myanmar for the ICRC.

The Myanmar government came under global scrutiny after about 740,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Rakhine state into Bangladesh.

United Nations, in its investigation, has noted that senior military officers have been indulged in the mass killing gang rapes and arson.

However, the military has denied all the wrongdoing.

The army and Arakan Army, a group that recruits from the mainly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine population, are engaged in a constant confrontation which is keeping entire reason brewing.&nbsp;

Myanmar security forces shot dead at least six people in the perturbed western state of Rakhine for their alleged links with rebel Arakan Army. The army also detained nearly 275 people during a search operation to nab the members of the Rebel Army, reported Al Jazeera.

Myanmar security forces shot dead at least six people in the perturbed western state of Rakhine for their alleged links with rebel Arakan Army. The army also detained nearly 275 people during a search operation to nab the members of the Rebel Army, reported Al Jazeera. Soldiers opened fire at the detained villagers after the latter revolted against the army. "Villagers were shot dead and eight others were seriously injured," said Khim Maung Lat, a member of the country`s Upper House of the Parliament. Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Myanmar Red Cross in a statement said that three "severely injured patients" have been shifted to a hospital. "The ICRC is concerned about increasing numbers of civilian casualties during the recent weeks, and urge all parties to protect the civilian population in line with International Humanitarian Law," said Stephan Sakalian, head of delegation in Myanmar for the ICRC. The Myanmar government came under global scrutiny after about 740,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Rakhine state into Bangladesh. United Nations, in its investigation, has noted that senior military officers have been indulged in the mass killing gang rapes and arson. However, the military has denied all the wrongdoing. The army and Arakan Army, a group that recruits from the mainly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine population, are engaged in a constant confrontation which is keeping entire reason brewing.

Myanmar forces kill six suspecting rebel-links

Myanmar security forces shot dead at least six people in the troubled western state of Rakhine on Thursday, after soldiers and police detained hundreds of people at a school, a military spokesman said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-jails-three-rohingya-extremists-for-10-years-214161">Bangladesh jails three Rohingya extremists for 10 years</a>

The soldiers had rounded up about 275 people during a search for members of the rebel Arakan Army, said Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun from the military`s True News Information Team.

There were conflicting accounts of events leading up to the shooting, which took place in an area off-limits to reporters and most aid agencies.

Zaw Min Tun said some of the detainees attempted to seize weapons in the early hours of the morning, forcing security forces to fire into a crowd.

"We warned them verbally. Then we fired warning shots into the air to disperse the group but they didn`t move, so shots were fired," he said.

Rakhine came to global attention after about 730,000 Rohingya Muslims crossed into Bangladesh fleeing a military crackdown in response to militant attacks in 2017.&nbsp;

UN investigators have called for senior military officers to be prosecuted over allegations of mass killings, gang rapes and arson. The military denies widespread wrongdoing.

More recently, civilians have been caught up in clashes between the military and the Arakan Army, an insurgent group that recruits from the mainly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine population and is fighting for greater autonomy for the state.

Since November, the fighting has displaced nearly 33,000 people across a large part of central and northern Rakhine and part of neighbouring Chin state, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.&nbsp;

The military has initiated legal action against two news organisations, accusing them of defamation for reports that detailed the alleged shooting of civilians by soldiers in March.

Zaw Min Tun told Reuters military and police searching the Rathedaung area`s Kyauk Tan village for suspected Arakan Army members found scores of people who were not registered with authorities as living there, so gathered those people in the school.

According to a preliminary investigation, he said, six people were killed after the alleged altercation at 2 am on Thursday.

As well as those killed in the shooting, eight people had been brought to the hospital in nearby Zedi Pyin village with gunshots wounds, said Maung Soe Win, chairman of the Mayu Region Development Association, a local community group, who was at the hospital.&nbsp;

The injured people said they had been detained for two days when one villager with a mental health problem "got up, shouted and ran away in the&nbsp; 
middle of the night", said Maung Soe Win.

"Then (security forces) shot the villagers continuously," he told Reuters by phone.

Another military spokesman, Major General Tun Tun Nyi, said on Thursday afternoon the remaining villagers were still being held at the school and investigated for links to the Arakan Army.

Myanmar security forces shot dead at least six people in the troubled western state of Rakhine on Thursday, after soldiers and police detained hundreds of people at a school, a military spokesman said.

Myanmar security forces shot dead at least six people in the troubled western state of Rakhine on Thursday, after soldiers and police detained hundreds of people at a school, a military spokesman said. Also read: Bangladesh jails three Rohingya extremists for 10 years The soldiers had rounded up about 275 people during a search for members of the rebel Arakan Army, said Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun from the military`s True News Information Team. There were conflicting accounts of events leading up to the shooting, which took place in an area off-limits to reporters and most aid agencies. Zaw Min Tun said some of the detainees attempted to seize weapons in the early hours of the morning, forcing security forces to fire into a crowd. "We warned them verbally. Then we fired warning shots into the air to disperse the group but they didn`t move, so shots were fired," he said. Rakhine came to global attention after about 730,000 Rohingya Muslims crossed into Bangladesh fleeing a military crackdown in response to militant attacks in 2017. UN investigators have called for senior military officers to be prosecuted over allegations of mass killings, gang rapes and arson. The military denies widespread wrongdoing. More recently, civilians have been caught up in clashes between the military and the Arakan Army, an insurgent group that recruits from the mainly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine population and is fighting for greater autonomy for the state. Since November, the fighting has displaced nearly 33,000 people across a large part of central and northern Rakhine and part of neighbouring Chin state, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The military has initiated legal action against two news organisations, accusing them of defamation for reports that detailed the alleged shooting of civilians by soldiers in March. Zaw Min Tun told Reuters military and police searching the Rathedaung area`s Kyauk Tan village for suspected Arakan Army members found scores of people who were not registered with authorities as living there, so gathered those people in the school. According to a preliminary investigation, he said, six people were killed after the alleged altercation at 2 am on Thursday. As well as those killed in the shooting, eight people had been brought to the hospital in nearby Zedi Pyin village with gunshots wounds, said Maung Soe Win, chairman of the Mayu Region Development Association, a local community group, who was at the hospital. The injured people said they had been detained for two days when one villager with a mental health problem "got up, shouted and ran away in the middle of the night", said Maung Soe Win. "Then (security forces) shot the villagers continuously," he told Reuters by phone. Another military spokesman, Major General Tun Tun Nyi, said on Thursday afternoon the remaining villagers were still being held at the school and investigated for links to the Arakan Army.

Myanmar troops kill six, detain scores in Rakhine over suspected rebel links: Military spokesman

The EU on Monday extended a ban on selling arms to Myanmar and prolonged sanctions against high-ranking officials over their role in the Rohingya crisis.

The measures, which include an embargo on weapons and other equipment that could be used for repression, will stay in place until at least April 30, 2020.

Some 14 top military and border officials are under individual EU sanctions -- barring them from travelling to or through the European bloc and freezing any assets they hold in Europe -- over alleged human rights violations, including killings and sexual violence.

In August 2017, some 740,000 Rohingya refugees fled a military crackdown in northern Myanmar to cross into Bangladesh, where 300,000 members of the persecuted Muslim minority were already in camps.

Many Rohingya refugees said there had been mass rapes and slaughters, and UN officials have said the crackdown needs a genocide investigation.

The EU on Monday extended a ban on selling arms to Myanmar and prolonged sanctions against high-ranking officials over their role in the Rohingya crisis. The measures, which include an embargo on weapons and other equipment that could be used for repression, will stay in place until at least April 30, 2020.

The EU on Monday extended a ban on selling arms to Myanmar and prolonged sanctions against high-ranking officials over their role in the Rohingya crisis. The measures, which include an embargo on weapons and other equipment that could be used for repression, will stay in place until at least April 30, 2020. Some 14 top military and border officials are under individual EU sanctions -- barring them from travelling to or through the European bloc and freezing any assets they hold in Europe -- over alleged human rights violations, including killings and sexual violence. In August 2017, some 740,000 Rohingya refugees fled a military crackdown in northern Myanmar to cross into Bangladesh, where 300,000 members of the persecuted Muslim minority were already in camps. Many Rohingya refugees said there had been mass rapes and slaughters, and UN officials have said the crackdown needs a genocide investigation.

European Union extends ban on arms sales to Myanmar

A Bangladesh court Sunday sentenced three Rohingya extremists of a now defunct militant group to 10 years in jail for possessing bomb-making materials, a prosecutor said.

The trio were arrested in 2014 in Dhaka with materials to be used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs), said Salahuddin Howlader, a prosecutor at the Metropolitan Special Tribunal in the capital.

They were found guilty and sentenced immediately under the country's explosives laws, the prosecutor said, adding one of them was sentenced in absentia as he was on the run.

"They were involved with several international militant outfits including the RSO," he told AFP, referring to the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, a small militant group that was active in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state in the 1980s and 1990s.

Local media, citing the police charge-sheet on the case, said the three men were suspects in the 2014 Burdwan blast in the neighbouring Indian state of West Bengal that killed at least two people and wounded several while they were allegedly making IEDs.

"The charge-sheet read the accused admitted planning sabotage in Bangladesh with the assistance of international Islamist extremist outfits," the online edition of the mass circulation Bengali daily Prothom Alo said.

In recent years, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army has emerged as the main Rohingya militant group operating in Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state that borders Bangladesh's southeast.

In August 2017, ARSA attacked several police posts in Rakhine prompting a massive military crackdown that forced some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh, where they are housed in squalid refugee camps.

The refugees joined some 300,000 Rohingya who have been living in the camps for years and even decades.

Bangladeshi security officials say no extremist groups such as ARSA or RSO operate in the camps, but this week the International Crisis Group said militants were increasing their grip on the settlements and were responsible for the murder of at least one Rohingya camp leader.

The conflict research group has urged Bangladesh to step up its police presence in the camps, saying gangs and extremist groups were now operating openly in the settlements.

Threats from extremists had left Rohingya leaders fearful for their lives and frequent murders were rarely investigated, the group said.

Bangladesh police said the creation of seven new police posts, the deployment of armed officers and better intelligence had improved security.

A Bangladesh court Sunday sentenced three Rohingya extremists of a now defunct militant group to 10 years in jail for possessing bomb-making materials, a prosecutor said.

A Bangladesh court Sunday sentenced three Rohingya extremists of a now defunct militant group to 10 years in jail for possessing bomb-making materials, a prosecutor said. The trio were arrested in 2014 in Dhaka with materials to be used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs), said Salahuddin Howlader, a prosecutor at the Metropolitan Special Tribunal in the capital. They were found guilty and sentenced immediately under the country's explosives laws, the prosecutor said, adding one of them was sentenced in absentia as he was on the run. "They were involved with several international militant outfits including the RSO," he told AFP, referring to the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, a small militant group that was active in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state in the 1980s and 1990s. Local media, citing the police charge-sheet on the case, said the three men were suspects in the 2014 Burdwan blast in the neighbouring Indian state of West Bengal that killed at least two people and wounded several while they were allegedly making IEDs. "The charge-sheet read the accused admitted planning sabotage in Bangladesh with the assistance of international Islamist extremist outfits," the online edition of the mass circulation Bengali daily Prothom Alo said. In recent years, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army has emerged as the main Rohingya militant group operating in Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state that borders Bangladesh's southeast. In August 2017, ARSA attacked several police posts in Rakhine prompting a massive military crackdown that forced some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh, where they are housed in squalid refugee camps. The refugees joined some 300,000 Rohingya who have been living in the camps for years and even decades. Bangladeshi security officials say no extremist groups such as ARSA or RSO operate in the camps, but this week the International Crisis Group said militants were increasing their grip on the settlements and were responsible for the murder of at least one Rohingya camp leader. The conflict research group has urged Bangladesh to step up its police presence in the camps, saying gangs and extremist groups were now operating openly in the settlements. Threats from extremists had left Rohingya leaders fearful for their lives and frequent murders were rarely investigated, the group said. Bangladesh police said the creation of seven new police posts, the deployment of armed officers and better intelligence had improved security.

Bangladesh jails three Rohingya extremists for 10 years

The Mizoram police deported eight young Rohingya women, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, to neighbouring Assam on Friday after they were arrested near the border of the two states in Kolasib district a day ago, police said.

The women, aged between 18-22, were arrested at the Vairengte police checkpoint on the Mizoram-Assam border while trying to enter the state without any valid travel documents on Thursday, the police said.

The eight women were produced before a fast-track court, which fined them Rs 50 each and ordered that they should be pushed back to Assam. The state police handed them to the Young Muslim Association (YMA) of Bagha town in Assam's Cachar district.

The women have been identified as Toyabah Begum, Tasim, Noorkayash, Atariza, Swaminara Begum, Rubina, Sanwara Begum and Serkhu.

The women said they were from the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar. They claimed that they were shopping at a market last Friday when a group of men abducted them. The Rohingya were taken away in a truck and brought to Silchar, the district headquarters of Cachar district.

The women said they were transported for Aizawl, where they were supposed to handed over to some people near a petrol pump at Zemabawk locality by the driver.&nbsp;

The Mizoram police deported eight young Rohingya women, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, to neighbouring Assam on Friday after they were arrested near the border of the two states in Kolasib district a day ago, police said.

The Mizoram police deported eight young Rohingya women, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, to neighbouring Assam on Friday after they were arrested near the border of the two states in Kolasib district a day ago, police said. The women, aged between 18-22, were arrested at the Vairengte police checkpoint on the Mizoram-Assam border while trying to enter the state without any valid travel documents on Thursday, the police said. The eight women were produced before a fast-track court, which fined them Rs 50 each and ordered that they should be pushed back to Assam. The state police handed them to the Young Muslim Association (YMA) of Bagha town in Assam's Cachar district. The women have been identified as Toyabah Begum, Tasim, Noorkayash, Atariza, Swaminara Begum, Rubina, Sanwara Begum and Serkhu. The women said they were from the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar. They claimed that they were shopping at a market last Friday when a group of men abducted them. The Rohingya were taken away in a truck and brought to Silchar, the district headquarters of Cachar district. The women said they were transported for Aizawl, where they were supposed to handed over to some people near a petrol pump at Zemabawk locality by the driver.

8 Rohingya women deported back to Assam by Mizoram police

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-attacks-show-islamic-state-influence-outlives-caliphate-213101">Sri Lanka attacks show Islamic State influence outlives caliphate</a>

The devastating bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, claimed by Islamic State jihadists, show that the influence of the group's extremist ideology remains dangerously intact even after the collapse of its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria, experts say.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/you-cant-make-these-stupid-statements-imran-khan-comes-under-oppositions-attack-for-saying-terrorists-used-pakistan-soil-against-iran-213106">'You can't make these stupid statements': Imran Khan comes under Opposition's attack for saying terrorists used Pakistan soil against Iran</a>

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday came under attack by the Opposition for acknowledging in Tehran that in the past militants had used his country's soil to carry out attacks in Iran.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-regrettable-that-cpi-m-has-not-found-a-place-in-bihar-mahagathbandhan-says-sitaram-yechury-213114">Lok Sabha polls 2019: Regrettable that CPI (M) has not found a place in Bihar 'mahagathbandhan', says Sitaram Yechury</a>

Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) has said that it is regrettable that the left party has not found a place in the Bihar grand alliance of opposition parties.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-rohingya-camps-a-political-awakening-faces-a-backlash-213115">In Rohingya camps, a political awakening faces a backlash</a>

It was after Mohib Ullah scored his first political victories that the death threats began in earnest. On a recent morning, the Rohingya refugee leaned back on a plastic chair in the Bangladesh camp where he lives and translated the latest warning, sent over the WhatsApp messaging app.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-france-plan-bid-to-tackle-extremism-on-social-media-213120">New Zealand, France plan bid to tackle extremism on social media</a>

In the wake of the Christchurch attack, New Zealand said on Wednesday that it would work with France in an effort to stop social media from being used to promote terrorism and violent extremism.

Sri Lanka attacks show Islamic State influence outlives caliphate The devastating bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, claimed by Islamic State jihadists, show that the influence of the group's extremist ideology remains dangerously intact even after the collapse of its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria, experts say.

Sri Lanka attacks show Islamic State influence outlives caliphate The devastating bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, claimed by Islamic State jihadists, show that the influence of the group's extremist ideology remains dangerously intact even after the collapse of its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria, experts say. 'You can't make these stupid statements': Imran Khan comes under Opposition's attack for saying terrorists used Pakistan soil against Iran Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday came under attack by the Opposition for acknowledging in Tehran that in the past militants had used his country's soil to carry out attacks in Iran. Lok Sabha polls 2019: Regrettable that CPI (M) has not found a place in Bihar 'mahagathbandhan', says Sitaram Yechury Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) has said that it is regrettable that the left party has not found a place in the Bihar grand alliance of opposition parties. In Rohingya camps, a political awakening faces a backlash It was after Mohib Ullah scored his first political victories that the death threats began in earnest. On a recent morning, the Rohingya refugee leaned back on a plastic chair in the Bangladesh camp where he lives and translated the latest warning, sent over the WhatsApp messaging app. New Zealand, France plan bid to tackle extremism on social media In the wake of the Christchurch attack, New Zealand said on Wednesday that it would work with France in an effort to stop social media from being used to promote terrorism and violent extremism.

News brief: Big stories of the day

It was after Mohib Ullah scored his first political victories that the death threats began in earnest. On a recent morning, the Rohingya refugee leaned back on a plastic chair in the Bangladesh camp where he lives and translated the latest warning, sent over the WhatsApp messaging app.

"Mohib Ullah is a virus of the community," he read aloud, with a wry chuckle. "Kill him wherever he is found."

The 44-year-old leads the largest of several community groups to emerge since more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar after a military crackdown in August 2017.

In the refugee camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district, a nascent civil society is emerging among the Rohingya, who spent decades under apartheid-like restrictions in Myanmar.

Some campaigners are seeking justice for alleged atrocities in Myanmar, a small cadre of women are raising their voices for the first time, and others are simply working to improve life in the new city of tarpaulins and bamboo that, after the latest influx, is home to more than 900,000 people.

Mohib Ullah himself was invited to Geneva last month, where he told the United Nations Human Rights Council the Rohingya want a say over their own future.

But the political awakening has been accompanied by a surge in violence, with militants and religious conservatives also vying for power, more than a dozen refugees told Reuters. They described increasing fear in the camps, where armed men have stormed shelters at night, kidnapped critics and warned women against breaking conservative Islamic norms.

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, or ARSA, which sparked the 2017 crisis with attacks on security posts, is resurgent in the camps, refugees say, alongside several other armed groups. The group is also known as Harakah al-Yaqin - the movement of faith.

"In the daytime, the al-Yaqin guys become normal people," said one young woman, who like other refugees requested anonymity to speak about the group without fear of reprisals. "They mix with everyone else. But at night it's like they have a kind of magical power."

Dialogue, and threats

Reuters conducted dozens of interviews with UN staff, diplomats, Bangladeshi officials and researchers about the forces competing for influence in the world's largest refugee settlement.

While some are hopeful the stateless Rohingya are beginning to find a political voice, there are also fears that a turn to violence threatens to make solving the refugee crisis through dialogue impossible and could bring more instability.

"Refugee camps in many parts of the world are becoming recruitment grounds for terrorists," said Mozammel Haque, the head of Bangladesh's cabinet committee on law and order. "God forbid, if something like that happens, this will not only affect Bangladesh but the whole region."

Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not answer calls seeking comment. Zaw Htay said during a press conference in January that Myanmar had complained to Bangladesh over what he said were ARSA bases inside Bangladesh.

The frontline in the struggle for the Rohingyas' future are the bamboo huts where refugees take shelter from the heat and dust of the camp to voice their views. In the makeshift office of his group, the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, or ARSPH, Mohib Ullah convenes an open meeting each morning.

"We couldn't gather more than five people in Myanmar, so when we have this kind of huge gathering it makes us very happy," said 57-year-old Abdul Fayez, one of several dozen refugees gathered cross-legged on the floor at a recent meeting.

ARSPH made its name documenting alleged atrocities the Rohingya suffered in Myanmar. Mohib Ullah went from hut to hut to build a tally of killings, rape and arson that has been shared with international investigators.

Last year it won a victory with a campaign for the refugees to have more say in the process of issuing identity cards, calling a general strike in the camps in November that forced Bangladeshi officials and UN staff to meet ARSPH leaders.

It now says its main goal is to give the Rohingya a voice in international talks on their future.

But not everyone agrees with ARSPH's approach. Hardliners in the camps argue for a more assertive stance in talks on the terms under which the refugees might return to Myanmar.

"We are flexible, we want to negotiate," said a senior leader of ARSPH, who requested anonymity. "But we fear we may be harmed because of this." ARSA was among Mohib Ullah and ARSPH's antagonists, the leader said.

Mohib Ullah was involved in local politics back in Myanmar, drawing accusations from opponents that he worked too closely with the hated government. "If I die, I'm fine. I will give my life," Mohib Ullah told Reuters.

Night terrors

Bangladesh security forces patrol the perimeter of the camps to stop refugees slipping out. But, especially at night, the warren-like interior is run by violent men, refugees told Reuters.

In at least some parts of the camps, those men claim affiliation to ARSA, said more than half a dozen refugees. UN officials and NGO workers monitoring the group's activities say it is unclear how many of those men are under orders from the group's leadership. But some of them have asked wealthier refugees and shopkeepers to pay regular taxes, saying the money will be used to fight back in Myanmar, refugees said.

One refugee, who volunteers as an aid worker in the camps, told Reuters he had witnessed a kidnapping in January by men he believed to be from ARSA.

Men with wooden sticks moved swiftly into an area of the camps known as Jamtoli and took away a man who refused to attend one of the group's meetings, he said. "They just carried him off like a goat to the slaughter."

Reuters was unable to corroborate the incident or find out what happened to the man, but five refugees from the same area said men they knew had been involved in ARSA attacks inside Myanmar were now involved in kidnappings in Jamtoli.

Reuters was unable to reach ARSA for comment.

Researchers for Fortify Rights have also gathered testimony that ARSA had abducted at least five Rohingya refugees in recent months, the campaign group said on March 14.

A posting from a Twitter account previously used by the group called the Fortify Rights report "shallow, shoddy, and not aptly verified" and denied allegations that ARSA was involved in criminal activity.

Police have recorded an escalation in violence in the camps in recent months, said Iqbal Hossain, additional superintendent of police in Cox's Bazar.

"So far we have not found any link to any militant groups," said Hossain, adding there were just 992 officers policing the camps.

In response to Reuters' questions about reports of ARSA involvement in the violence, the UN refugee agency cited police reports that found most violence and threats in the camps were carried out by "criminal elements or related to personal vendettas".

Two UN officials and several researchers working regularly in the camps told Reuters ARSA was behind at least some of the violence, however, citing sources among the refugees.

"You didn't listen"

ARSA launched three attacks across the border in Myanmar early this year, according to state media there, and in February vowed to continues its armed campaign.

ARSA propaganda portrays the group as ethnic freedom fighters and does not emphasise a religious agenda. But some refugees and a report by an international NGO seen by Reuters say its members, together with Islamic leaders, have promoted ultra-conservative religious practices.

Four women told Reuters they had received threats for going out to work for aid groups in the camps, where many have begun doing paid work for the first time in their lives.

Three said men from ARSA, backed up by religious leaders, issued the threats. Fortify Rights also said it had gathered testimony linking ARSA to the threats against women working. ARSA on Twitter denied that, insisting it "has no activities/objectives except for defending Rohingyas' legitimate rights".

UN officials and aid workers discussed the threats at a series of meetings of the "protection sector working group" in Cox's Bazar, according to minutes.

"There is a complex combination of factors that have contributed to the threats and restrictions on women in refugee camps, which we are all seeking to address," the UN refugee agency said.

Mohammed Kamruzzaman, an education sector specialist at Bangladeshi aid group BRAC, told Reuters that 150 of its female teachers had stopped coming to work in late January after receiving or hearing about the "violent threats".

One woman in her late 30s told Reuters she had received a phone call in late January telling her she must immediately quit her job at BRAC. Two nights later a group of about 10 men, dressed in black and wearing masks barged into her shelter.

"They said, 'We told you not to go out and work, you didn't listen'," she said. "One of them beat me with a stick on my back."

Another young woman, who was also threatened, summed up the divide in the camps.

"We are just doing something good for our community," she said. "Some people support them, but many feel like us. They put superglue over our mouths."

It was after Mohib Ullah scored his first political victories that the death threats began in earnest. On a recent morning, the Rohingya refugee leaned back on a plastic chair in the Bangladesh camp where he lives and translated the latest warning, sent over the WhatsApp messaging app.

It was after Mohib Ullah scored his first political victories that the death threats began in earnest. On a recent morning, the Rohingya refugee leaned back on a plastic chair in the Bangladesh camp where he lives and translated the latest warning, sent over the WhatsApp messaging app. "Mohib Ullah is a virus of the community," he read aloud, with a wry chuckle. "Kill him wherever he is found." The 44-year-old leads the largest of several community groups to emerge since more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar after a military crackdown in August 2017. In the refugee camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district, a nascent civil society is emerging among the Rohingya, who spent decades under apartheid-like restrictions in Myanmar. Some campaigners are seeking justice for alleged atrocities in Myanmar, a small cadre of women are raising their voices for the first time, and others are simply working to improve life in the new city of tarpaulins and bamboo that, after the latest influx, is home to more than 900,000 people. Mohib Ullah himself was invited to Geneva last month, where he told the United Nations Human Rights Council the Rohingya want a say over their own future. But the political awakening has been accompanied by a surge in violence, with militants and religious conservatives also vying for power, more than a dozen refugees told Reuters. They described increasing fear in the camps, where armed men have stormed shelters at night, kidnapped critics and warned women against breaking conservative Islamic norms. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, or ARSA, which sparked the 2017 crisis with attacks on security posts, is resurgent in the camps, refugees say, alongside several other armed groups. The group is also known as Harakah al-Yaqin - the movement of faith. "In the daytime, the al-Yaqin guys become normal people," said one young woman, who like other refugees requested anonymity to speak about the group without fear of reprisals. "They mix with everyone else. But at night it's like they have a kind of magical power." Dialogue, and threats Reuters conducted dozens of interviews with UN staff, diplomats, Bangladeshi officials and researchers about the forces competing for influence in the world's largest refugee settlement. While some are hopeful the stateless Rohingya are beginning to find a political voice, there are also fears that a turn to violence threatens to make solving the refugee crisis through dialogue impossible and could bring more instability. "Refugee camps in many parts of the world are becoming recruitment grounds for terrorists," said Mozammel Haque, the head of Bangladesh's cabinet committee on law and order. "God forbid, if something like that happens, this will not only affect Bangladesh but the whole region." Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not answer calls seeking comment. Zaw Htay said during a press conference in January that Myanmar had complained to Bangladesh over what he said were ARSA bases inside Bangladesh. The frontline in the struggle for the Rohingyas' future are the bamboo huts where refugees take shelter from the heat and dust of the camp to voice their views. In the makeshift office of his group, the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, or ARSPH, Mohib Ullah convenes an open meeting each morning. "We couldn't gather more than five people in Myanmar, so when we have this kind of huge gathering it makes us very happy," said 57-year-old Abdul Fayez, one of several dozen refugees gathered cross-legged on the floor at a recent meeting. ARSPH made its name documenting alleged atrocities the Rohingya suffered in Myanmar. Mohib Ullah went from hut to hut to build a tally of killings, rape and arson that has been shared with international investigators. Last year it won a victory with a campaign for the refugees to have more say in the process of issuing identity cards, calling a general strike in the camps in November that forced Bangladeshi officials and UN staff to meet ARSPH leaders. It now says its main goal is to give the Rohingya a voice in international talks on their future. But not everyone agrees with ARSPH's approach. Hardliners in the camps argue for a more assertive stance in talks on the terms under which the refugees might return to Myanmar. "We are flexible, we want to negotiate," said a senior leader of ARSPH, who requested anonymity. "But we fear we may be harmed because of this." ARSA was among Mohib Ullah and ARSPH's antagonists, the leader said. Mohib Ullah was involved in local politics back in Myanmar, drawing accusations from opponents that he worked too closely with the hated government. "If I die, I'm fine. I will give my life," Mohib Ullah told Reuters. Night terrors Bangladesh security forces patrol the perimeter of the camps to stop refugees slipping out. But, especially at night, the warren-like interior is run by violent men, refugees told Reuters. In at least some parts of the camps, those men claim affiliation to ARSA, said more than half a dozen refugees. UN officials and NGO workers monitoring the group's activities say it is unclear how many of those men are under orders from the group's leadership. But some of them have asked wealthier refugees and shopkeepers to pay regular taxes, saying the money will be used to fight back in Myanmar, refugees said. One refugee, who volunteers as an aid worker in the camps, told Reuters he had witnessed a kidnapping in January by men he believed to be from ARSA. Men with wooden sticks moved swiftly into an area of the camps known as Jamtoli and took away a man who refused to attend one of the group's meetings, he said. "They just carried him off like a goat to the slaughter." Reuters was unable to corroborate the incident or find out what happened to the man, but five refugees from the same area said men they knew had been involved in ARSA attacks inside Myanmar were now involved in kidnappings in Jamtoli. Reuters was unable to reach ARSA for comment. Researchers for Fortify Rights have also gathered testimony that ARSA had abducted at least five Rohingya refugees in recent months, the campaign group said on March 14. A posting from a Twitter account previously used by the group called the Fortify Rights report "shallow, shoddy, and not aptly verified" and denied allegations that ARSA was involved in criminal activity. Police have recorded an escalation in violence in the camps in recent months, said Iqbal Hossain, additional superintendent of police in Cox's Bazar. "So far we have not found any link to any militant groups," said Hossain, adding there were just 992 officers policing the camps. In response to Reuters' questions about reports of ARSA involvement in the violence, the UN refugee agency cited police reports that found most violence and threats in the camps were carried out by "criminal elements or related to personal vendettas". Two UN officials and several researchers working regularly in the camps told Reuters ARSA was behind at least some of the violence, however, citing sources among the refugees. "You didn't listen" ARSA launched three attacks across the border in Myanmar early this year, according to state media there, and in February vowed to continues its armed campaign. ARSA propaganda portrays the group as ethnic freedom fighters and does not emphasise a religious agenda. But some refugees and a report by an international NGO seen by Reuters say its members, together with Islamic leaders, have promoted ultra-conservative religious practices. Four women told Reuters they had received threats for going out to work for aid groups in the camps, where many have begun doing paid work for the first time in their lives. Three said men from ARSA, backed up by religious leaders, issued the threats. Fortify Rights also said it had gathered testimony linking ARSA to the threats against women working. ARSA on Twitter denied that, insisting it "has no activities/objectives except for defending Rohingyas' legitimate rights". UN officials and aid workers discussed the threats at a series of meetings of the "protection sector working group" in Cox's Bazar, according to minutes. "There is a complex combination of factors that have contributed to the threats and restrictions on women in refugee camps, which we are all seeking to address," the UN refugee agency said. Mohammed Kamruzzaman, an education sector specialist at Bangladeshi aid group BRAC, told Reuters that 150 of its female teachers had stopped coming to work in late January after receiving or hearing about the "violent threats". One woman in her late 30s told Reuters she had received a phone call in late January telling her she must immediately quit her job at BRAC. Two nights later a group of about 10 men, dressed in black and wearing masks barged into her shelter. "They said, 'We told you not to go out and work, you didn't listen'," she said. "One of them beat me with a stick on my back." Another young woman, who was also threatened, summed up the divide in the camps. "We are just doing something good for our community," she said. "Some people support them, but many feel like us. They put superglue over our mouths."

In Rohingya camps, a political awakening faces a backlash

Malaysia began a public inquiry on Wednesday into the discovery of mass graves and suspected human trafficking camps in the jungles near its border with Thailand, which prompted a regional crisis in 2015, and accusations over obstruction of justice.

The dense jungles of southern Thailand and northern Malaysia have been a major stop-off point for smugglers bringing people to Southeast Asia by boat from Myanmar, most of them Rohingya Muslims who say they are fleeing persecution, and Bangladesh.

In January, the government had said it would set up a panel to inquire into claims that authorities mishandled an investigation into 139 mass graves and more than 12 campsites suspected to have been run by migrant-smuggling gangs.

Three police from a jungle infantry unit described finding the first of the campsites in January 2015, during a patrol in a heavily-forested region on the Malaysian side of the border.

The officials found an area filled with tents and structures made of wooden sticks, some as high as two storeys, said one of them, Mat Ten.

"These makeshift houses were surrounded by barbed wire and there were people living inside," he told the panel.

The men's testimony confirmed media reports and rights groups' statements that authorities had known about the camps four months before going public in May 2015.

In a report last month, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission and rights group Fortify Rights said authorities had destroyed one of the camps a day after its discovery, wiping out evidence that could have aided police investigations.

The human rights commission was set up by Malaysia's parliament but the government is not bound by its findings.

Mat Ten said he returned with a team of 10 police to survey the site the day after the first visit, but they were interrupted after a woman they believed to be acting as a lookout alerted others at the camp, who fled.

Six Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants who were left behind were detained and handed over to immigration authorities, said Mohamad Mossadique Azni, the officer who led the raiding team.

The discovery of similar camps and graves on the Thai side of the border triggered a regional crisis in 2015.

A Thai crackdown on the camps prompted traffickers to abandon thousands of migrants in overloaded boats in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

The hearings continue on Thursday.

Malaysia began a public inquiry on Wednesday into the discovery of mass graves and suspected human trafficking camps in the jungles near its border with Thailand, which prompted a regional crisis in 2015, and accusations over obstruction of justice.

Malaysia began a public inquiry on Wednesday into the discovery of mass graves and suspected human trafficking camps in the jungles near its border with Thailand, which prompted a regional crisis in 2015, and accusations over obstruction of justice. The dense jungles of southern Thailand and northern Malaysia have been a major stop-off point for smugglers bringing people to Southeast Asia by boat from Myanmar, most of them Rohingya Muslims who say they are fleeing persecution, and Bangladesh. In January, the government had said it would set up a panel to inquire into claims that authorities mishandled an investigation into 139 mass graves and more than 12 campsites suspected to have been run by migrant-smuggling gangs. Three police from a jungle infantry unit described finding the first of the campsites in January 2015, during a patrol in a heavily-forested region on the Malaysian side of the border. The officials found an area filled with tents and structures made of wooden sticks, some as high as two storeys, said one of them, Mat Ten. "These makeshift houses were surrounded by barbed wire and there were people living inside," he told the panel. The men's testimony confirmed media reports and rights groups' statements that authorities had known about the camps four months before going public in May 2015. In a report last month, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission and rights group Fortify Rights said authorities had destroyed one of the camps a day after its discovery, wiping out evidence that could have aided police investigations. The human rights commission was set up by Malaysia's parliament but the government is not bound by its findings. Mat Ten said he returned with a team of 10 police to survey the site the day after the first visit, but they were interrupted after a woman they believed to be acting as a lookout alerted others at the camp, who fled. Six Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants who were left behind were detained and handed over to immigration authorities, said Mohamad Mossadique Azni, the officer who led the raiding team. The discovery of similar camps and graves on the Thai side of the border triggered a regional crisis in 2015. A Thai crackdown on the camps prompted traffickers to abandon thousands of migrants in overloaded boats in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. The hearings continue on Thursday.

Malaysia begins inquiry into discovery of mass graves, human trafficking camps

Reuters won two <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/jailed-reuters-reporters-us-border-photographers-win-pulitzer-prizes-210825&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiWppj5rdThAhUB4o8KHQ5vACoQFggNMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw25qGBBTBqeMKztQEEjapXS">Pulitzer Prizes </a>on Monday, one for revealing the massacre of 10 Muslim Rohingya men by Buddhist villagers and Myanmar security forces, and another for photographs of Central American migrants seeking refuge in the United States.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nroXtw7ZVlI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The awards marked the second year in a row that Reuters has won two Pulitzers, the most prestigious prize in American journalism. Reuters has won seven since 2008.

Two of this year's honorees have been jailed for 490 days in Myanmar for their role in uncovering the killings.

"While it's gratifying to be recognized for the work, public attention should be focused more on the people about whom we report than on us: in this case, the Rohingya and the Central American migrants," Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler said.

&nbsp;

In other categories, coverage of mass shootings in the United States and investigations into US President Donald Trump featured prominently. The New York Times and the Washington Post also took two Pulitzers each.

Reuters and the Associated Press were both awarded prizes for international reporting, with the AP winning for its coverage of war atrocities in Yemen.

The Reuters award was for an investigative report that revealed the massacre of 10 Rohingya at the village of Inn Din, in the heart of the conflict zone of Rakhine state in Myanmar.

Two young Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, both Myanmar citizens, found a mass grave filled with bones sticking out of the ground. They went on to gather testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of victims.

They obtained three devastating photographs from villagers: two showed the 10 Rohingya men bound and kneeling; the third showed the mutilated and bullet-ridden bodies of the same 10 men in the same shallow grave.

In December 2017, before Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo could complete their story, they were arrested in what international observers have criticized as an effort by authorities to block the report.

The report, "Massacre in Myanmar," was completed by colleagues Simon Lewis and Antoni Slodkowski and published in February of last year.

In September, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were sentenced to seven years imprisonment for violating the country's Official Secrets Act.

"I'm thrilled that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and their colleagues have been recognized for their extraordinary, courageous coverage, and our photojournalists for their moving pictures that show humanity defying huge obstacles," Adler said. "I remain deeply distressed, however, that our brave reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are still behind bars."

Border Images

In the breaking news photography category, 11 Reuters photographers contributed pictures to "On the Migrant Trail to America," a package of images showing asylum-seekers and other migrants from Central America at the US border.

One photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon showed migrants fleeing tear gas launched by US authorities into Mexico at the San Diego-Tijuana border. In the image, a mother grabs her twin daughters by the arm, one in diapers and wearing rubber sandals, the other barefoot, as a teargas canister emits its fumes.

In another image, an aerial photo, Mike Blake was the first to photograph the detention facility in Tornillo, Texas, where children walked in single files, like prisoners.

Goran Tomasevic captured an image in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, a city with one of the highest murder rates in the world, of a rooster, scratching in the dirt next to the slain body of a Barrio 18 gang member. Tomasevic was a previous finalist for his pictures of the war in Syria.

Mass shooting coverage Honored

The New York Times won a prize for explanatory reporting of Trump's finances and tax avoidance and another for editorial writing by Brent Staples.

The Washington Post's Lorenzo Tugnoli won the feature photography prize for images of the famine in Yemen and the newspaper's Carlos Lozada also won for criticism.

The Wall Street Journal won the national reporting prize for uncovering Trump's secret payoffs to two women during his campaign who claimed to have had affairs with him.

Coverage of mass shootings in the United States was also recognized four times.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel won the public service award for "exposing failings by school and law enforcement officials before and after the deadly shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School," the Pulitzer board said. Seventeen people died in the massacre at the Parkland, Florida, high school on Feb. 14, 2018.

The staff of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette won the breaking news prize for its coverage of "immersive, compassionate" coverage of the massacre at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue that killed 11 people on Oct. 27, 2018.

Pulitzer administrator Dana Canedy, upon announcing the winners, also offered admiration for a non-winner: the staff of the Eagle Eye student newspaper at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for its coverage of the killings.

The Pulitzer board also awarded a special citation to the Capital Gazette of Annapolis, Maryland, for "their courageous response to the largest killing of journalists in US history in their newsroom." A gunman shot and killed five people there on June 28, 2018.

Reuters won two Pulitzer Prizes on Monday, one for revealing the massacre of 10 Muslim Rohingya men by Buddhist villagers and Myanmar security forces, and another for photographs of Central American migrants seeking refuge in the United States.

Reuters won two Pulitzer Prizes on Monday, one for revealing the massacre of 10 Muslim Rohingya men by Buddhist villagers and Myanmar security forces, and another for photographs of Central American migrants seeking refuge in the United States. The awards marked the second year in a row that Reuters has won two Pulitzers, the most prestigious prize in American journalism. Reuters has won seven since 2008. Two of this year's honorees have been jailed for 490 days in Myanmar for their role in uncovering the killings. "While it's gratifying to be recognized for the work, public attention should be focused more on the people about whom we report than on us: in this case, the Rohingya and the Central American migrants," Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler said. In other categories, coverage of mass shootings in the United States and investigations into US President Donald Trump featured prominently. The New York Times and the Washington Post also took two Pulitzers each. Reuters and the Associated Press were both awarded prizes for international reporting, with the AP winning for its coverage of war atrocities in Yemen. The Reuters award was for an investigative report that revealed the massacre of 10 Rohingya at the village of Inn Din, in the heart of the conflict zone of Rakhine state in Myanmar. Two young Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, both Myanmar citizens, found a mass grave filled with bones sticking out of the ground. They went on to gather testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of victims. They obtained three devastating photographs from villagers: two showed the 10 Rohingya men bound and kneeling; the third showed the mutilated and bullet-ridden bodies of the same 10 men in the same shallow grave. In December 2017, before Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo could complete their story, they were arrested in what international observers have criticized as an effort by authorities to block the report. The report, "Massacre in Myanmar," was completed by colleagues Simon Lewis and Antoni Slodkowski and published in February of last year. In September, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were sentenced to seven years imprisonment for violating the country's Official Secrets Act. "I'm thrilled that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and their colleagues have been recognized for their extraordinary, courageous coverage, and our photojournalists for their moving pictures that show humanity defying huge obstacles," Adler said. "I remain deeply distressed, however, that our brave reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are still behind bars." Border Images In the breaking news photography category, 11 Reuters photographers contributed pictures to "On the Migrant Trail to America," a package of images showing asylum-seekers and other migrants from Central America at the US border. One photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon showed migrants fleeing tear gas launched by US authorities into Mexico at the San Diego-Tijuana border. In the image, a mother grabs her twin daughters by the arm, one in diapers and wearing rubber sandals, the other barefoot, as a teargas canister emits its fumes. In another image, an aerial photo, Mike Blake was the first to photograph the detention facility in Tornillo, Texas, where children walked in single files, like prisoners. Goran Tomasevic captured an image in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, a city with one of the highest murder rates in the world, of a rooster, scratching in the dirt next to the slain body of a Barrio 18 gang member. Tomasevic was a previous finalist for his pictures of the war in Syria. Mass shooting coverage Honored The New York Times won a prize for explanatory reporting of Trump's finances and tax avoidance and another for editorial writing by Brent Staples. The Washington Post's Lorenzo Tugnoli won the feature photography prize for images of the famine in Yemen and the newspaper's Carlos Lozada also won for criticism. The Wall Street Journal won the national reporting prize for uncovering Trump's secret payoffs to two women during his campaign who claimed to have had affairs with him. Coverage of mass shootings in the United States was also recognized four times. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel won the public service award for "exposing failings by school and law enforcement officials before and after the deadly shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School," the Pulitzer board said. Seventeen people died in the massacre at the Parkland, Florida, high school on Feb. 14, 2018. The staff of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette won the breaking news prize for its coverage of "immersive, compassionate" coverage of the massacre at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue that killed 11 people on Oct. 27, 2018. Pulitzer administrator Dana Canedy, upon announcing the winners, also offered admiration for a non-winner: the staff of the Eagle Eye student newspaper at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for its coverage of the killings. The Pulitzer board also awarded a special citation to the Capital Gazette of Annapolis, Maryland, for "their courageous response to the largest killing of journalists in US history in their newsroom." A gunman shot and killed five people there on June 28, 2018.

Jailed Reuters reporters, US border photographers win Pulitzer Prizes

Arakan Army rebels overran a police base in Rakhine state, killing two officers and one of their wives, the Myanmar government said on Wednesday, as fresh fighting broke out in a historic Buddhist temple town popular with tourists.

The Information Ministry said around 200 insurgents stormed a police headquarters in Mrauk U before being repelled, but that they abducted four women and three children as they left.

“According to information from the Myanmar police force, the AA (committed an act of) terrorism by attacking a family dormitory and taking unrelated family members like wives and children,” the ministry said in a post on its website.

Arakan Army spokesman Khine Thu Kha said rebels had attacked a police outpost in Mrauk U - where clashes in March wounded six people - but denied they had killed or abducted any civilians.

He denied the site had any dormitory, saying rather that heavy weapons were stored there. “They were shooting from that camp and so it affected the people. So the Rakhine army cleared that. There were many casualties on the Myanmar military side.”

Rakhine came to global attention in 2017 when the Myanmar army drove about 730,000 ethnic Rohingya Muslims from the state across the border into neighbouring Bangladesh, following attacks by Rohingya insurgents on police posts.

More recently, the military has been battling another armed rebel group, the Arakan Army, which draws recruits mostly from the ethnic Rakhine population, who are mainly Buddhists, and is fighting for greater autonomy for the western state.

Government warplanes began strikes on Mrauk U late on Tuesday night, according to two residents, who said a one-year-old child was hospitalised.

“I don’t know whether they are fighting with AA or not,” a local monk, Myo Oo Khaung Sayataw, said on Wednesday as aircraft could be heard flying overhead.

“I saw them shooting from the planes. We don’t dare to go out to the town. The planes are still flying.”

A hotel owner in Mrauk U, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, said his roof had been damaged by bullets fired from the air.

“I have never experienced this before. The business is not good anymore. We cannot expect guests to come because this is happening.”

Arakan Army rebels overran a police base in Rakhine state, killing two officers and one of their wives, the Myanmar government said on Wednesday, as fresh fighting broke out in a historic Buddhist temple town popular with tourists.

Arakan Army rebels overran a police base in Rakhine state, killing two officers and one of their wives, the Myanmar government said on Wednesday, as fresh fighting broke out in a historic Buddhist temple town popular with tourists. The Information Ministry said around 200 insurgents stormed a police headquarters in Mrauk U before being repelled, but that they abducted four women and three children as they left. “According to information from the Myanmar police force, the AA (committed an act of) terrorism by attacking a family dormitory and taking unrelated family members like wives and children,” the ministry said in a post on its website. Arakan Army spokesman Khine Thu Kha said rebels had attacked a police outpost in Mrauk U - where clashes in March wounded six people - but denied they had killed or abducted any civilians. He denied the site had any dormitory, saying rather that heavy weapons were stored there. “They were shooting from that camp and so it affected the people. So the Rakhine army cleared that. There were many casualties on the Myanmar military side.” Rakhine came to global attention in 2017 when the Myanmar army drove about 730,000 ethnic Rohingya Muslims from the state across the border into neighbouring Bangladesh, following attacks by Rohingya insurgents on police posts. More recently, the military has been battling another armed rebel group, the Arakan Army, which draws recruits mostly from the ethnic Rakhine population, who are mainly Buddhists, and is fighting for greater autonomy for the western state. Government warplanes began strikes on Mrauk U late on Tuesday night, according to two residents, who said a one-year-old child was hospitalised. “I don’t know whether they are fighting with AA or not,” a local monk, Myo Oo Khaung Sayataw, said on Wednesday as aircraft could be heard flying overhead. “I saw them shooting from the planes. We don’t dare to go out to the town. The planes are still flying.” A hotel owner in Mrauk U, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, said his roof had been damaged by bullets fired from the air. “I have never experienced this before. The business is not good anymore. We cannot expect guests to come because this is happening.”

Myanmar rebels storm police base in Rakhine state amid fresh clashes in temple town

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-fears-lingering-rohingya-crisis-may-trigger-radicalism-196630">Bangladesh </a>on Tuesday said it had sought help from the United States in pressuring the government of Myanmar into offering safeguards for the return of the thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled the country since Aug. 2017.

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen sought assistance from the US during a meeting on Monday with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, the government of Bangladesh said in a statement released on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Momen discussed the importance of the "repatriation of the Rohingyas and creation of credible international pressure on Myanmar in that respect," the statement said.

According to the statement, Pompeo reiterated that the US "would stand beside Bangladesh (both politically and financially) in finding a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis."

"It is the responsibility of the Myanmar government and military to create a conducive environment so that the Rohingyas feel safe to return home," he added.

Momen told Pompeo about Dhaka's plans to transfer a group of Rohingyas to the uninhabited Bhashanchar island in the Bay of Bengal, which has been prepared to host 100,000 refugees from the overcrowded camps in the Cox's Bazar district in southeastern Bangladesh.

More than 738,000 Rohingya refugees had arrived in the camps since the beginning of the crisis on Aug. 25, 2017, following a wave of violence and persecution against the minority group that has been described by the United Nations as attempted ethnic cleansing.

Most of the refugees of the majority-Muslim community live in harsh conditions in the Kutupalong camp – located close to the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar – which has become the biggest refugee camp in the world.

Although Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement on Nov. 23, 2017, to begin returning Rohingyas, until now the repatriation attempts have failed due to the lack of conditions necessary for a safe and voluntary return of the refugees.

Organizations working to protect civil rights of the Rohingyas informed last week that 20 civilians were killed and 50 were injured in an airstrike carried out by the armed forces in the state of Rakhine (western Myanmar).

Bangladesh on Tuesday said it had sought help from the United States in pressuring the government of Myanmar into offering safeguards for the return of the thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled the country since Aug.

Bangladesh on Tuesday said it had sought help from the United States in pressuring the government of Myanmar into offering safeguards for the return of the thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled the country since Aug. 2017. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen sought assistance from the US during a meeting on Monday with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, the government of Bangladesh said in a statement released on Tuesday. During the meeting, Momen discussed the importance of the "repatriation of the Rohingyas and creation of credible international pressure on Myanmar in that respect," the statement said. According to the statement, Pompeo reiterated that the US "would stand beside Bangladesh (both politically and financially) in finding a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis." "It is the responsibility of the Myanmar government and military to create a conducive environment so that the Rohingyas feel safe to return home," he added. Momen told Pompeo about Dhaka's plans to transfer a group of Rohingyas to the uninhabited Bhashanchar island in the Bay of Bengal, which has been prepared to host 100,000 refugees from the overcrowded camps in the Cox's Bazar district in southeastern Bangladesh. More than 738,000 Rohingya refugees had arrived in the camps since the beginning of the crisis on Aug. 25, 2017, following a wave of violence and persecution against the minority group that has been described by the United Nations as attempted ethnic cleansing. Most of the refugees of the majority-Muslim community live in harsh conditions in the Kutupalong camp – located close to the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar – which has become the biggest refugee camp in the world. Although Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement on Nov. 23, 2017, to begin returning Rohingyas, until now the repatriation attempts have failed due to the lack of conditions necessary for a safe and voluntary return of the refugees. Organizations working to protect civil rights of the Rohingyas informed last week that 20 civilians were killed and 50 were injured in an airstrike carried out by the armed forces in the state of Rakhine (western Myanmar).

Bangladesh seeks US help for Rohingyas' return to Myanmar

Forty-one <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-stops-115-rohingya-seeking-to-reach-malaysia-208264&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiszsyzqsDhAhUU73MBHcBwCBoQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0GW3JdUELvJKudTv8DMoK6">Rohingya </a>were found on a Malaysian beach Monday, police said, the second group of the Muslim minority to arrive in the country within weeks, stoking fears of a looming exodus.

Many Rohingya have been seeking in recent weeks to leave by sea from<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/joint-india-myanmar-operation-target-rohingya-insurgent-group-and-naga-terror-group-203499&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiszsyzqsDhAhUU73MBHcBwCBoQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1eyET3M-kRgCaJ2zcp_EOa"> Bangladesh</a>, where they live in squalid refugee camps after fleeing their mostly Buddhist homeland Myanmar before the monsoon season starts in earnest.

Security forces have prevented hundreds from departing for Malaysia with people smugglers on fishing boats. But last month 34 Rohingya arrived in the northern Malaysian state of Perlis, the first group believed to have landed in the country in almost year.

The latest batch, which consisted entirely of men, were found Monday on the same beach as the previous boatload, local police chief<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dozens-of-rohingya-found-on-malaysian-beach-officials-200586&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi16NDLqsDhAhVN7HMBHaWkBJkQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1w1ZjsfcVR1rMZu8717lNP"> Noor Mushar Mohamad</a> told AFP.

"This is definitely the work of human smuggling syndicates working with local syndicates," he said.

"I fear there could be more Rohingya arrivals unless maritime enforcement agencies step up patrols urgently."

Noor Mushar said initial investigations indicated they could have travelled in a large boat before being transferred to smaller craft by local criminal gangs and ferried ashore. They have been handed over to immigration authorities, he said.

It was not clear whether they had departed from Bangladesh or Myanmar, or when they had arrived.&nbsp;

About 740,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh following a brutal military clampdown in their home country in August 2017, joining hundreds of thousands already living in crowded camps.

The traditional route to Malaysia is by boat from Myanmar or Bangladesh. Refugees arrive either in Thailand and head overland to Malaysia or arrive directly in Malaysia.

But arrivals have fallen markedly since 2015 when Thailand launched a crackdown, which disrupted the lucrative trade and led to smugglers abandoning huge numbers of refugees at sea.

Relatively affluent, Muslim-majority Malaysia has long been a favourite destination for Rohingya, where they are a source of labour in low-paying industries such as agriculture and construction.

Forty-one Rohingya were found on a Malaysian beach Monday, police said, the second group of the Muslim minority to arrive in the country within weeks, stoking fears of a looming exodus.

Forty-one Rohingya were found on a Malaysian beach Monday, police said, the second group of the Muslim minority to arrive in the country within weeks, stoking fears of a looming exodus. Many Rohingya have been seeking in recent weeks to leave by sea from Bangladesh, where they live in squalid refugee camps after fleeing their mostly Buddhist homeland Myanmar before the monsoon season starts in earnest. Security forces have prevented hundreds from departing for Malaysia with people smugglers on fishing boats. But last month 34 Rohingya arrived in the northern Malaysian state of Perlis, the first group believed to have landed in the country in almost year. The latest batch, which consisted entirely of men, were found Monday on the same beach as the previous boatload, local police chief Noor Mushar Mohamad told AFP. "This is definitely the work of human smuggling syndicates working with local syndicates," he said. "I fear there could be more Rohingya arrivals unless maritime enforcement agencies step up patrols urgently." Noor Mushar said initial investigations indicated they could have travelled in a large boat before being transferred to smaller craft by local criminal gangs and ferried ashore. They have been handed over to immigration authorities, he said. It was not clear whether they had departed from Bangladesh or Myanmar, or when they had arrived. About 740,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh following a brutal military clampdown in their home country in August 2017, joining hundreds of thousands already living in crowded camps. The traditional route to Malaysia is by boat from Myanmar or Bangladesh. Refugees arrive either in Thailand and head overland to Malaysia or arrive directly in Malaysia. But arrivals have fallen markedly since 2015 when Thailand launched a crackdown, which disrupted the lucrative trade and led to smugglers abandoning huge numbers of refugees at sea. Relatively affluent, Muslim-majority Malaysia has long been a favourite destination for Rohingya, where they are a source of labour in low-paying industries such as agriculture and construction.

Second group of Rohingya arrive in Malaysia within weeks

Bangladesh police have prevented 115 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/six-rohingyas-killed-in-helicopter-attack-were-with-terrorists-myanmar-army-208147">Rohingya refugees</a> from being smuggled to Malaysia in rickety fishing boats, officials said Saturday, but no suspected traffickers were detained.

The group from the Kutupalong camp near Bangladesh's border with Myanmar -- the biggest refugee settlement in the world -- were stopped as they headed to boats in the Bay of Bengal.

The operation, which took place late Friday, was the latest in a series involving Rohingya refugees seeking to leave squalid camps for Malaysia, a more prosperous Muslim-majority nation.

"We stopped a convoy of 15 auto-rickshaws and rescued 50 men, 39 women and 26 children," Bangladeshi police officer Anwar Hossain told AFP.

"But we could not catch any traffickers."

The officer said the Rohingya, who had already paid the traffickers some money, would be taken back to the camp.

About 740,000 of the Muslim minority Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh following a brutal military clampdown in the Buddhist-majority nation in August 2017.&nbsp;

They joined another 300,000 Rohingya who have already been living in the overcrowded camps in the Cox's Bazar area following previous bouts of violence.&nbsp;

Thousands have risked their lives travelling to Malaysia and Thailand by boat when the Bay of Bengal is calm before monsoon season sets in at the end of March.

So far this year, Bangladeshi security forces have stopped more than 300 Rohingya from attempting the trip on small fishing boats, which experts say are not fit for deep-sea navigation.&nbsp;

The group detained Friday was the third prevented from heading to Malaysia this week alone.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has said the vulnerability of Rohingya to trafficking has increased enormously as livelihoods, support networks, and other fundamental systems are disrupted.&nbsp;

"It is hard to comment on the scale of the activity, due to the clandestine nature of the activity," UNHCR spokeswoman Caroline Gluck told AFP.&nbsp;

"The community finds it difficult to speak up."

Bangladesh police have prevented 115 Rohingya refugees from being smuggled to Malaysia in rickety fishing boats, officials said Saturday, but no suspected traffickers were detained.

Bangladesh police have prevented 115 Rohingya refugees from being smuggled to Malaysia in rickety fishing boats, officials said Saturday, but no suspected traffickers were detained. The group from the Kutupalong camp near Bangladesh's border with Myanmar -- the biggest refugee settlement in the world -- were stopped as they headed to boats in the Bay of Bengal. The operation, which took place late Friday, was the latest in a series involving Rohingya refugees seeking to leave squalid camps for Malaysia, a more prosperous Muslim-majority nation. "We stopped a convoy of 15 auto-rickshaws and rescued 50 men, 39 women and 26 children," Bangladeshi police officer Anwar Hossain told AFP. "But we could not catch any traffickers." The officer said the Rohingya, who had already paid the traffickers some money, would be taken back to the camp. About 740,000 of the Muslim minority Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh following a brutal military clampdown in the Buddhist-majority nation in August 2017. They joined another 300,000 Rohingya who have already been living in the overcrowded camps in the Cox's Bazar area following previous bouts of violence. Thousands have risked their lives travelling to Malaysia and Thailand by boat when the Bay of Bengal is calm before monsoon season sets in at the end of March. So far this year, Bangladeshi security forces have stopped more than 300 Rohingya from attempting the trip on small fishing boats, which experts say are not fit for deep-sea navigation. The group detained Friday was the third prevented from heading to Malaysia this week alone. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has said the vulnerability of Rohingya to trafficking has increased enormously as livelihoods, support networks, and other fundamental systems are disrupted. "It is hard to comment on the scale of the activity, due to the clandestine nature of the activity," UNHCR spokeswoman Caroline Gluck told AFP. "The community finds it difficult to speak up."

Bangladesh stops 115 Rohingya seeking to reach Malaysia

India has slammed the UN human rights experts who "condemned" the Indian government’s decision to deport three <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/german-filmmaker-beaten-in-rohingya-camp-in-bangladesh-198794">Rohingya</a> to Myanmar, saying the statements made by them are misleading and incorrect and that New Delhi's action is in accordance with Indian laws.

Reacting to a question during the Ministry of External Affairs's weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "The interpretation made of the facts of the case, as portrayed in the statement, are misleading and incorrect. The repatriation of illegal immigrants to their country of origin is in accordance with Indian laws."

The three Rohingya — a father and his two children who had been in prison since 2013 — were deported last month.&nbsp;

"Government will continue to take actions as may be necessary in the implementation of Indian laws, and as directed by our judiciary," Kumar said.&nbsp;

The Indian Supreme Court had in October last year refused to interfere in the government's decision to deport 7 Rohingya men. On January 3 this year, India deported another five Rohingya to Myanmar.&nbsp;

The UN experts who condemned the Indian government's decision, saying it was against international law, are Tendayi Achiume, special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Felipe González Morales, special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Seong-Phil Hong, chair-rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Yanghee Lee, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar and Fernand de Varennes, special rapporteur on minority issues.

The Rohingya are Myanmarese Muslims from the country's western Rakhine state. They have fled Myanmar in huge numbers, especially to neighbouring Bangladesh, since a crackdown on them by the Myanmarese security forces since August 2017. The Myanmarese and have faced persecution by the local Buddist population and their citizenship has been rescinded.

India has slammed the UN human rights experts who "condemned" the Indian government’s decision to deport three Rohingya to Myanmar, saying the statements made by them are misleading and incorrect and that New Delhi's action is in accordance with Indian laws.

India has slammed the UN human rights experts who "condemned" the Indian government’s decision to deport three Rohingya to Myanmar, saying the statements made by them are misleading and incorrect and that New Delhi's action is in accordance with Indian laws. Reacting to a question during the Ministry of External Affairs's weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "The interpretation made of the facts of the case, as portrayed in the statement, are misleading and incorrect. The repatriation of illegal immigrants to their country of origin is in accordance with Indian laws." The three Rohingya — a father and his two children who had been in prison since 2013 — were deported last month. "Government will continue to take actions as may be necessary in the implementation of Indian laws, and as directed by our judiciary," Kumar said. The Indian Supreme Court had in October last year refused to interfere in the government's decision to deport 7 Rohingya men. On January 3 this year, India deported another five Rohingya to Myanmar. The UN experts who condemned the Indian government's decision, saying it was against international law, are Tendayi Achiume, special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Felipe González Morales, special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Seong-Phil Hong, chair-rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Yanghee Lee, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar and Fernand de Varennes, special rapporteur on minority issues. The Rohingya are Myanmarese Muslims from the country's western Rakhine state. They have fled Myanmar in huge numbers, especially to neighbouring Bangladesh, since a crackdown on them by the Myanmarese security forces since August 2017. The Myanmarese and have faced persecution by the local Buddist population and their citizenship has been rescinded.

India slams UN experts who 'condemned' deportation of Rohingyas

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