Human Rights Watch says the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t justify Malaysia’s turning away of overloaded boats of Muslim Rohingya refugees and risking their lives.
Rohingya refugees gather after being rescued in Teknaf near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Thursday, April 16, 2020. Bangladesh's coast guard has rescued 382 starving Rohingya refugees who had been drifting at sea for weeks after failing to reach Malaysia, officials said Thursday.
The New York-based rights group noted that Malaysia had recently pushed back to sea at least two boatloads of Rohingya refugees. Despite Malaysia’s partial coronavirus lockdown that prevents foreigners from entering the country, Human Rights Watch said the pandemic should not be an excuse for a blanket policy of turning away boats in distress.
Predominantly Muslim Malaysia has previously protested the persecution of the Rohingya and sought justice for them. But its navy on Thursday intercepted a boat with some 200 Rohingya refugees off its northern coast and prevented it from entering Malaysian waters. The fate of that boat is unknown. Malaysia’s National Security Council on Saturday defended the decision by enforcement agencies to turn away the boat amid concerns that the refugees might be exposed to the coronavirus. Malaysia, which has recorded 5,251 coronavirus cases with 86 deaths, has tightened border patrols to prevent illegal immigrants from sneaking in, the National Security Council said.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nearly 400 Rohingya Rescued From Boat Near Bangladesh After 2 Months AdriftHundreds of Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, on a fishing trawler were intercepted after trying to make landfall in Bangladesh. A survivor says at least 28 people had died in a two-month effort to reach Malaysia.
Read more »
Need some exercise? Try these 5, 10, 20 and 30-minute workoutsSqueeze the most effective workout possible into whatever time frame your schedule allows with these routines.
Read more »
McDonald’s apologizes after restaurant in China bans black peopleMcDonald’s apologizes after one of its branches in China displayed a sign saying that “black people are not allowed to enter.”
Read more »
The Funniest Tweets From Parents This Week'Kids shouldn’t be allowed to lose teeth during quarantine.'
Read more »
Michigan GOP cranks up pressure on state governor to ease lockdown as she faces protests, lawsuitMichigan Senate Republicans are demanding that residents be allowed to 'go back to work!'
Read more »
Armie Hammer Has Taken Away Another Thing I Loved Doing: Looking At His Face'On April 15, Hammer shared what can honestly only be described as an assault on the eyes. In the (deep breath) mirror selfie, he's sporting a curly mohawk, handlebar mustache, disturbing smile, and the eyes of a man who knows he's made a grave mistake.'
Read more »