Alwaght- Rohingya Muslims including women, men and children attempting to flee persecution in Myanmar by boat earlier this year were killed or severely beaten by human traffickers if their families failed to pay ransoms, and kept in hellish, inhuman conditions.
This is according to new report by Amnesty International, titled Deadly journeys: The refugee and trafficking crisis in Southeast Asia,which is based interviews with more than 100 Rohingya refugees – mainly victims of human trafficking, and many of them children – who reached Indonesia after fleeing Myanmar or Bangladesh across the Andaman Sea.
“The report released on Wednesday says daily physical abuse faced by Rohingya who were trapped on boats in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea is almost too horrific to put into words,” Amnesty’s refugee researcher, Anna Shea, said.
“The shocking truth is that those we spoke to are the ‘lucky’ ones who made it to shore – countless others perished at sea or were trafficked into forced labor situations. Governments must do more to prevent this human tragedy from recurring.”
The harrowing events that unfolded in May 2015 – triggered by Thailand’s crackdown on human trafficking, and the traffickers’ subsequent abandonment of people at sea – left thousands of refugees and migrants stranded for weeks in desperate need of food, water and medical care.
While the UN estimates that at least 370 people lost their lives between January and June 2015, Amnesty International believes the true figure to be much higher.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to Amnesty International saw dozens of large boats full of refugees and migrants in similar circumstances, but only five boats landed in Indonesia and Malaysia according to UN sources. Hundreds – if not thousands – of people remain unaccounted for, and may have died during their journeys or been sold for forced labour.
With the monsoon over and a new “sailing season” already underway, thousands more could be taking to boats. Amnesty International is urging regional governments to urgently step up their response to the crisis.
Over 1.3 million Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar live in desperation following decades of persecution and discrimination including being denied citizenship, controls on their movements, family size and access to jobs.
In recent years, a large number of Rohingya Muslims have been killed and thousands displaced in attacks by extremist Buddhists, especially in Rakhine State. According to the United Nations , Rohingya Muslims are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.
- Where’s US Foreign Policy Heading under Erratic Trump?
- Historic Jump in Iran-Iraq Energy Partnership
- Gaza War: An Arrow Lodged in Netanyahu’s Bone
- Baghdad-Erbil Ties Remain Frayed by Open Oil Wound
- US Plans to Cut Its Troop Presence in Syria by 50%
- US Could Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine This Week
- Iran Summons Argentina’s Chargé d’affaires In Protest of Alleged False Accusations
- US Set to Supply Israel with Thousands More Bombs Amid Planned Gaza War Escalation
- Maldives Prohibits Israeli Nationals from Entering in Firm Support of Palestinians
- Leader: Indirect Oman Talks ‘Positive’ So Far, But Trust in The Other Side ‘Remains’ A Concern
Editor's Choice
Historic Jump in Iran-Iraq Energy Partnership The two countries are showing a great will to engage in deeper energy partnership to neutralize US pressures.
Turkic World Project Falling, Dealing Blow to Erdogan’s Neo-Ottomanism Erdogan may need to review his thoughts about Turkic World as Turkic Central Asian republics choose Europe over Ankara.
What’s behind Netanyahu’s Diplomatic Failure in the US Trump this time appears to have understood that further alignment with Netanyahu will cost the US dearly.
Aspects of Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan-Turkmenistan Agreement The trilateral agreement is meant to eliminate disputes and pave the way for regional economic prosperity.
Signs of Failure of Newest US Aggression on Yemen Americans have vowed to secure Israeli navigation in the Red Sea, but they are far from this aim despite major air campaign against Yemen.
News
US Plans to Cut Its Troop Presence in Syria by 50%
Two US officials have stated that the US military will be consolidating its presence in Syria in the coming weeks and monthsUS Could Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine This Week US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the mineral deal between the US and Ukraine could be signed this week
Iran Summons Argentina’s Chargé d’affaires In Protest of Alleged False Accusations Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Argentina’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran to lodge a formal protest over recent accusations
US Set to Supply Israel with Thousands More Bombs Amid Planned Gaza War Escalation The United States has reportedly authorized a new delivery of thousands of heavy munitions to Israel
Maldives Prohibits Israeli Nationals from Entering in Firm Support of Palestinians the Maldives Parliament has passed legislation—ratified by President Mohamed Muizzu—banning Israeli citizens from entering the country
Leader: Indirect Oman Talks ‘Positive’ So Far, But Trust in The Other Side ‘Remains’ A Concern Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Muscat have been well executed in their early stages
IRGC: Iran’s Military, Security Are Non-negotiable Red Lines A spokesman for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) stressed that Iran’s national security and defense capabilities are non-negotiable
Iraq Praises Iran’s Diplomatic Efforts Iraq’s foreign minister commended Iran for choosing dialogue and diplomacy to resolve issues related to its nuclear program
Iran Updates Saudi Arabia on US Negotiations The Iranian foreign minister informed his Saudi counterpart about the recent indirect talks between Iran and the US
Hamas Urges Action to End Israeli Gaza Blockade Hamas has sharply criticized Israel’s continued blockade of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip
Gaza Health Ministry Reports 39 Killed, 118 Injured in Past 24 Hours Over the past 24 hours, 39 Palestinians have been killed and 118 wounded in Gaza, bringing the death toll since October 2023 to 50,983
Iran Shares Details on Upcoming Round of Talks with the US Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, provided details about the upcoming round of talks between Tehran and Washington
IAEA Chief Set to Travel to Iran on April 16 An Iranian diplomat has announced that Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, is scheduled to visit Iran on Wednesday, April 16
Iraq Raises Alarm Over Renewed ISIS Threat in Syria Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has sounded the alarm over the growing activities of the ISIS Takfiri terrorist group
Iran Petroleum Minister Visits Iraq to Boost Energy Ties Iran’s Petroleum Minister, Mohsen Paknejad, has arrived in Baghdad to explore opportunities for enhancing energy cooperation
Supreme Leader Encourages Iran’s Military to Enhance Its Power Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution, urged the Iranian Armed Forces to enhance their capabilities
US Airstrikes Hit Major Educational and Training Facility in Yemen The United States has launched a fresh series of airstrikes on Yemen’s al-Bayda province, along with Sa’ada and Hudaydah
Al-Ahli Blast: Final North Gaza Hospital Hit In a major assault, Israeli forces targeted al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City
Iran-US Dialogue: Next Meeting’s Location Yet to Be Finalized, Spokesman Says Consultations are underway to determine the venue for the next round of talks between Iran and the United States
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Discloses Further Information on US Negotiations The Iranian Foreign Ministry has disclosed additional information regarding the indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington held in Oman
Most Viewed
Historic Jump in Iran-Iraq Energy Partnership
Where’s US Foreign Policy Heading under Erratic Trump?
Indirect Negotiations Between Iran and the US Take Place in Oman
Direct Flights Between Tehran and Minsk to Resume Following Agreement
Israel Engaged in Psychological Warfare Over Oman Talks
Iraq Raises Alarm Over Renewed ISIS Threat in Syria
Iran Shares Details on Upcoming Round of Talks with the US
IAEA Chief Set to Travel to Iran on April 16
Iran Updates Saudi Arabia on US Negotiations
Hamas Urges Action to End Israeli Gaza Blockade
US Plans to Cut Its Troop Presence in Syria by 50%
Historic Jump in Iran-Iraq Energy Partnership
Iran And the US Wrap Up Negotiations in Oman, Agree to Continue Talks Next Week
Gaza Health Ministry Reports 39 Killed, 118 Injured in Past 24 Hours
Lavrov Responds to Trump’s Global Trade War
What’s behind Al-Jolani’s UAE Visit?
Supreme Leader Encourages Iran’s Military to Enhance Its Power
Iran Extends Condolences to Myanmar and Thailand Following the Deadly Earthquake
Signs of Failure of Newest US Aggression on Yemen
Israel in Shock of Hamas Rocket Response
Hamas: Netanyahu Fully Responsible for Gaza Ceasefire Failure
Iran Calls on Syrian Interim Authorities to Address Civilian Mass Killings
FM Araghchi Sends Eid al-Fitr Greetings to Muslim Countries
President: Iran Remains Open to Indirect Talks with US
Israel Carries Out Fresh Attacks on Syrian Bases Despite EU Caution
Erdogan’s Nightmare: What Can Arrest of Opposition Leader Bring to Turkey?
Iran Prepared Missiles for A Possible Response Following US Threats
Iran Refuses to Yield to Western Pressure: Nuclear Official
Iran FM States That Specific Changes Are Required for Talks with the US
Iran To Launch Operation True Promise III Against Israel
Iran Urges Regional Caution Over US Provocations in Talks with Iraqi FM
Iran Is Prepared to Confront Any Threats from Foreign Powers
In Focus
Ansarullah
A Zaidi Shiite movement operating in Yemen. It seeks to establish a democratic government in Yemen.
Shiite
represents the second largest denomination of Islam. Shiites believe Ali (peace be upon him) to be prophet"s successor in the Caliphate.
Resistance
Axis of Resistances refers to countries and movements with common political goal, i.e., resisting against Zionist regime, America and other western powers. Iran, Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Palestine are considered as the Axis of Resistance.
Persian Gulf Cooperation Council
A regional political u n i o n consisting of Arab states of the Persian Gulf, except for Iraq.
Taliban
Taliban is a Sunni fundamentalist movement in Afghanistan. It was founded by Mohammed Omar in 1994.
Wahhabism & Extremism
Wahhabism is an extremist pseudo-Sunni movement, which labels non-Wahhabi Muslims as apostates thus paving the way for their bloodshed.
Kurds
Kurds are an ethnic group in the Middle East, mostly inhabiting a region, which spans adjacent parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. They are an Iranian people and speak the Kurdish languages, which form a subgroup of the Northwestern Iranian branch of Iranian languages.
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4 April 1949.
Islamic Awakening
Refers to a revival of the Islam throughout the world, that began in 1979 by Iranian Revolution that established an Islamic republic.
Al-Qaeda
A militant Sunni organization founded by Osama bin Laden at some point between 1988 and 1989
New node
