Myanmar arrests 112 Rohingya without documents
Myanmar authorities have arrested more than 112 Rohingya, including children, for traveling “without official documents” as they tried to make their way to Malaysia, state media reported on Friday.
A total of 112 people, including a dozen children, were arrested in the southeastern township of Bogale, with 35 given five-year prison terms.
Mostly viewed as interlopers from Bangladesh, members of the mostly Muslim minority group are denied citizenship — along with access to healthcare and education.
A local court sentenced 35 of the group to five years in jail for traveling without documents, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported, adding that 13 under the age of 18 would be detained at a “training school” until they were 20.
Thousands of Rohingya risk their lives each year making perilous journeys to reach Malaysia or Indonesia, in an attempt to flee the authorities’ persecution and oppression as they are said by UN to have committed genocide against the Rohingya.
