According to an official speaking to AFP on Tuesday, Myanmar's police have detained up to 150 Rohingya who were allegedly trying to exit the country.
The Rohingya, a majority-Muslim ethnic group, are perceived in Myanmar as outsiders from Bangladesh. They are unable to obtain citizenship, and they need authorization to travel.
Following a military assault on the Rohingya in 2017, hundreds now put their lives in danger every year by undertaking treacherous trips from camps in Bangladesh and Myanmar to Malaysia and Indonesia, which have a Muslim majority.
The 127 Rohingya males and 18 females were detained on Friday close to Waekhami village in southern Mon state.
“They have been detained since then and under investigation according to the immigration law,” Aung Myat Kyaw Sein, spokesperson for Mon State Administration Council, told AFP.
Myanmar is facing genocide accusations at the United Nations’ top court following the 2017 crackdown, which sent hundreds of thousands fleeing to Bangladesh.
Myanmar has been in chaos since Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government was toppled in a military coup in February 2021, ending its brief period of democracy.
The Rohingya, a majority-Muslim ethnic group, are perceived in Myanmar as outsiders from Bangladesh. They are unable to obtain citizenship, and they need authorization to travel.
Following a military assault on the Rohingya in 2017, hundreds now put their lives in danger every year by undertaking treacherous trips from camps in Bangladesh and Myanmar to Malaysia and Indonesia, which have a Muslim majority.
The 127 Rohingya males and 18 females were detained on Friday close to Waekhami village in southern Mon state.
“They have been detained since then and under investigation according to the immigration law,” Aung Myat Kyaw Sein, spokesperson for Mon State Administration Council, told AFP.
Myanmar is facing genocide accusations at the United Nations’ top court following the 2017 crackdown, which sent hundreds of thousands fleeing to Bangladesh.
Myanmar has been in chaos since Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government was toppled in a military coup in February 2021, ending its brief period of democracy.
