Fortify Rights calls on Bangladesh to end Rohingya ‘pushbacks’
The regional human rights group Fortify Rights called on the interim government of Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus to stop the pushback of Rohingya refugees fleeing fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and military in northern Arakan State. It claimed that Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) forces have forcefully returned more than 400 Rohingya back to Myanmar since August.
“The Bangladesh government has a responsibility to provide safety and security to Rohingya survivors who are fleeing for their lives and facing mass atrocities in Myanmar,” said Zaw Min, a human rights specialist at Fortify Rights. “Rohingya have a right to live with dignity and respect as recognized refugees in Bangladesh.”
The interim government of Bangladesh, which took power after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India following student-led anti-government protests on Aug. 5, vowed that it will continue to support the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees that are living in camps near Cox’s Bazar, located in the southeast of Bangladesh. Human rights groups have reported that the AA and the military have targeted Rohingya since fighting in northern Arakan intensified in May.
US urged to sanction Myanma Economic Bank
Dozens of civil society groups working on human rights in Burma wrote a joint letter to the U.S. State Department and Treasury Department urging the U.S. to impose sanctions on the regime-run Myanma Economic Bank (MEB), Reuters reported. The groups seek to block the bank from the U.S. dollar financial system and have called on other countries to impose similar sanctions.
“The military junta depends on foreign banks, jet fuel suppliers, and arms dealers to sustain its crimes against humanity,” said Simon Billenness, executive director of the International Campaign for the Rohingya, which was one of the signatories. “An opportunity exists to disrupt the military junta’s international support networks at a time when the military is at its weakest point since the coup began in 2021.”
The U.S. State Department told Reuters that it will continue to make efforts to block the regime from its sources of revenue. Naypyidaw has been using the MEB to purchase weapons with foreign currency since the U.S. imposed sanctions on the regime’s Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB) and the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) in June 2023, according to a U.N. report in June.
Beijing says Kokang leader in China for medical care not arrested
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told media in Beijing on Tuesday that Peng Daxun, the head of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), had come to Kunming, China to receive medical care. The comments come after the media reported that Chinese authorities detained and placed the MNDAA leader under house arrest.
Peng had “previously applied to come to China for medical care, and is currently undergoing treatment and recuperation,” said Lin Jian, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson. But Lin Jian did not confirm Peng Daxun’s exact location or condition while in China.
China’s Special Envoy Deng Xijun reportedly urged the MNDAA to withdraw its troops from Lashio during a meeting in August. He warned Peng Daxun that action would be taken against the MNDAA if he did not comply with the order. The MNDAA took control of Lashio, the largest city in northern Shan State, after seizing the Northeastern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters on Aug. 3. Read more here.
News by Region
CHINLAND—Widespread destruction has been reported in Mindat and Falam townships due to the military’s artillery and arson attacks since the Chin Brotherhood launched an offensive against military positions on Nov. 9. Falam is 42 miles (68 km) north of the Chinland capital and Mindat is 171 miles (275 km) south of Hakha.
“Battles are intense in both Mindat and Falam. The fighting has been continuous since Nov. 9 with constant airstrikes, artillery fire, and house burnings,” Salai Yaw Mang, the Chin Brotherhood spokesperson, told the Khonumthung news agency. Other resistance groups, including the AA and the Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA), are also taking part in the offensive against the military.
ARAKAN—Kyaukphyu Township residents reported that private banking services have been disrupted due to security concerns in the township, which is located 318 miles (511 km) southeast of the Arakan State capital Sittwe. Kyaukphyu is also where a deep sea port developed by China is located.
“Most banking systems have been stopped since April and locals are only relying on mobile banking systems,” a source close to banks in Kyaukphyu told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Kyaukphyu residents claimed that the military is sending reinforcements in anticipation of an AA offensive on the town.
SAGAING—A woman was burned to death and 253 homes were destroyed during arson attacks in Kanbalu and Taze townships Nov. 16-17. Kanbalu is 105 miles (169 km) and Taze is 69 miles (111 km) north of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. “She was locked up inside a home when the military set fire to Sison village. They also attacked civilians who helped extinguish the fire,” a People’s Defense Force (PDF) spokesperson told DVB. A local aid group said residents are in need of shelter.
Two PDF members were killed when resistance forces led by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seized control of four outposts occupied by the military and the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) in Homalin Township near Kachin State on Tuesday. Homalin is located 331 miles (533 km) north of Monywa.
“The camps were captured despite air support provided by the military during the offensive,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB. Weapons and ammunition were seized by resistance forces during the fighting. The KIA and PDF launched an offensive against the outposts on Nov. 14. PDF-led forces seized control of Shwe Pyi Aye in Homalin on Nov. 22, 2023.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,550 kyat)
