A Chinese actor who disappeared after traveling to Thailand and was found near the border of Myanmar in an area where online scam networks operate was a victim of human trafficking, Thai police said Wednesday. Chinese state-owned newspaper The Global Times reported Monday that the family of Wang Xing requested help from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand after the actor went missing at the Thailand-Myanmar border. Authorities found Wang on Tuesday in Myanmar and brought him to Thailand for questioning, Thai police said. Photos and videos showed Wang sitting with the police in the Thai border town of Mae Sot with his head shaved. Wang told the police that he was lured by a promise of a job casting by a major Thai entertainment company, but instead was taken across the border into Myanmar, where police believe he was put to work in a call scam operation targeting Chinese people, said Senior Inspector General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot. Salman Khan's Galaxy apartment undergoes security enhancements amid threats The area is known as a haven for criminal syndicates who have forced hundreds of thousands of people in Southeast Asia into participating in online scams including false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes. Many of the victims are trapped in virtual slavery. There also are allegations of drug trafficking. An initial review of chat logs on Wang's phone confirmed his story, Thatchai told the Thai PBS TV. He said Wang told police there were about 50 other Chinese at the same location. Like him, all had their heads shaved, he told police. He said he was too scared to resist or try to escape. Criminal activity has flourished in border areas of military-ruled Myanmar, where fighting has pitted armed ethnic groups against the army for decades. Chinese authorities have said they had cracked down on criminal syndicates in joint operations with neighboring countries that led to thousands of people being returned to China, but those campaigns did not include arrests of ring leaders in Myanmar. Chinese investors operate casino complexes in what amounts to autonomous development zones in cooperation with Myanmar's Border Guard Force, a militia belonging to the ethnic Karen minority. Wang’s disappearance received attention after an internet user who claimed to be his girlfriend posted about it on Chinese social media, according to The Global Times. Wang has featured in popular Chinese TV dramas. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday said the government was working as best it could to mitigate any impact the case might have on the reputation of Thailand as a safe tourist destination.

The ongoing civil war in Myanmar, now spanning over three years, has provided an opportunity for drug cartels to thrive, with Shan State emerging as a major hub for illicit narcotics production. This situation poses a significant threat to neighbouring Bangladesh, which is increasingly becoming a key destination for these dangerous drugs. According to the Department of Narcotics Control, the largest shipments of Yaba (methamphetamine tablets) entering Bangladesh are sourced from Myanmar's Shan State. Alongside Yaba, the region has become a hotspot for the production of other potent drugs, including crystal meth (ice) and heroin. Although the spread of ice in Bangladesh was once rare, recent reports indicate a surge in seizures by law enforcement agencies. In one of the most recent instances, in November last year, Bangladesh's Coast Guard seized one kilogram of crystal meth, worth approximately Tk 5 crore, from Shahporir Island in Teknaf. Earlier in August, large consignments of Yaba and ice, worth Tk 21 crore, were intercepted by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along the Teknaf and Naikhong border areas. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that Myanmar has ascended to the top of global opium production in 2024. Poppy flowers, which grow on the slopes of Shan State’s mountains, are used to produce heroin, while nearly fifty factories in the region manufacture Yaba and ice. While 37 Yaba production factories were previously identified in Myanmar, the number has more than doubled in recent years due to the ongoing conflict. Shan State shares borders with China, Thailand and Laos, and drug production thrives in this region due to a steady supply of raw materials such as methamphetamine and caffeine from the Golden Triangle. Read more: Rampant use of antibiotic drugs causing health hazards Besides, ephedrine, a key ingredient in the production of ice, is largely sourced from China. The growing network of drug factories in Shan State reflects the extent to which the region has become a major illicit narcotics hub. Recent reports from The New York Times describe Shan State as a central node for warlords, smugglers, and drug traffickers. Despite being initially hindered by local and central government forces, drug cartels in the region have flourished, partly due to bribes and the weakening of governmental authority in the wake of civil unrest. Armed insurgent groups have also capitalised on the drug trade to fund their operations. In interviews with the media, drug dealers revealed that while the government and military had previously posed obstacles, the collapse of the state apparatus has allowed these illegal operations to flourish. According to them, the insurgent groups operating in the region rely heavily on profits from the drug trade to sustain their armed activities. With the market growing, competition between traffickers has intensified, leading to a drop in prices. For instance, while a can of beer costs around 10 US dollars, a single Yaba tablet can be bought for as little as 25 cents. Bangladesh’s Struggle with Drug Proliferation The spread of narcotics in Bangladesh has been accelerating since 2006, when the price of Yaba was over 1,200 Tk per tablet. The price has since plummeted, with current rates ranging from 100 to 120 Tk per tablet in Cox's Bazar, and between 200 to 250 Tk in Dhaka. The Narcotics Control Department and law enforcement agencies are facing increasing challenges in curbing the trade, which predominantly flows into the country through the Teknaf border. According to Khondokar Mostafizur Rahman, Director General of the Narcotics Control Department, the vast majority of Yaba entering Bangladesh is sourced from Myanmar. "The drug trade is flourishing, and we are struggling to control it," he said. The department’s intelligence reports reveal several hotspots in Dhaka for Yaba trade, including railway stations, bus terminals, and launch ghats. Areas such as Mohammadpur’s Geneva Camp, Mirpur Kalshi, Old Dhaka, Kamrangirchar, and Karwan Bazar are also identified as active drug hubs. In addition to Yaba, there has been a rise in the circulation of ice in affluent areas of the capital, including Gulshan, Banani, and Uttara. Some dealers are even selling ice online, further complicating enforcement efforts. Despite the growing concern, many people mistakenly believe that heroin use has declined in the country due to the widespread availability of Yaba and cannabis. But the Department of Narcotics Control reports that heroin is once again gaining traction. Since Myanmar’s opium production has increased, heroin shipments to Bangladesh have also surged. Traffickers are now using India as a route to bypass direct shipments through the Teknaf border, further complicating enforcement efforts. Read more: RAB arrests 2 siblings with drugs in Brahmanbaria In 2020, the department seized 210 kilograms of heroin, but by 2023, that number had jumped to over 700 kilograms. In just the first half of 2024, more than 357 kilograms of heroin were seized. The Path Forward Experts argue that despite repeated calls for zero tolerance, the government has not taken enough decisive action to curb the spread of narcotics. According to UNODC research, only 10% of the drugs entering a country are intercepted by law enforcement. In Bangladesh’s case, due to its proximity to Myanmar, it has become a hotspot for drug proliferation. Dr. Touhidul Haque, Associate Professor at Dhaka University and an expert in criminology, noted that the actual amount of narcotics entering Bangladesh is likely even higher than the UNODC estimate. "Drugs have become far more accessible than before. When narcotics become easier to obtain, their spread becomes inevitable," he said. To effectively combat the issue, experts recommend heightened vigilance along Bangladesh’s border with Myanmar, with an emphasis on preventing the entry of yaba, ice, and heroin into the country.

The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada and other countries said they continue to support calls for "genuine, constructive, and inclusive" dialogue to find a peaceful solution to the situation in Myanmar and a return to the path of inclusive democracy. In a joint statement, the High Representative on behalf of the European Union and the governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, and the United Kingdom called for addressing the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. The countries reiterated their full support for ASEAN’s central role in finding a resolution to the crisis, including the work of the ASEAN Chair and Special Envoy, consistent with the Five Point Consensus, and acknowledged the important role of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar. Commerce Adviser urges Pakistan to import more Bangladeshi products The reports of violations of international law targeting Rohingya, in addition to the military’s history of stoking intercommunal tensions in Rakhine State and elsewhere across the country, underscore the grave dangers to civilians, according to the joint statement. They are "troubled by the lack of safe areas for civilians" to escape the conflict and attacks on civilians fleeing the violence across Myanmar. Humanitarian needs have increased due to the conflict and been exacerbated by the regime’s denial of humanitarian access. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of more than 3.5 million people, some of whom have fled the country. More than 15 million people now face acute food insecurity. Disease outbreak, including cholera, is on the rise while access constraints inhibit the delivery of medical assistance. They urged the military regime and all armed actors in Myanmar to de-escalate violence, respect international humanitarian law and international human rights laws, protect civilians, and allow full, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access so that life-saving aid can be provided to all people in need, including women, children, and members of ethnic and minority populations. "We emphasize that addressing the underlying discrimination and brutal treatment faced by Rohingya must be a part of a political solution to the crisis in Myanmar," they said. Dhaka's ties with Delhi won’t get stuck on single issue: Foreign Adviser The signatories of the statement urged the implementation of UNSC resolution 2669 (2022) which called for the immediate end to all forms of violence in Myanmar and urged restraint, the de-escalation of tensions, and the release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners. They are deeply concerned by the worsening human rights and humanitarian crisis across Myanmar. This crisis is exacerbated by the escalation of violence, as well as intercommunal tension. The regime’s ongoing and violent repression of the people of Myanmar is unacceptable, they said in the joint statement released by the US Department of State on Tuesday. There are credible reports of human rights violations and abuses and international humanitarian law violations committed against civilians, the statement mentioned. These include: abduction and forced recruitment of children and members of ethnic and religious minorities; the Myanmar military’s indiscriminate aerial bombardments that kill and injure civilians and damage civilian infrastructure; sexual and gender-based violence; the burning of homes; attacks on humanitarian workers and facilities; and restrictions on humanitarian access by the military regime and various armed groups. "We have also seen disturbing reports of dismemberment and burning of civilians," they said. The intensification of the conflict in Rakhine State and the suffering experienced by all communities there, including Rohingya, is deeply concerning.

Noting the increasing control of the Arakan Army (AA) over Rakhine State in Myanmar, experts at a dialogue have stressed the importance of formulating a clear national strategy to address this multifaceted challenge, taking implications for Bangladesh and the region into consideration. They cautioned that delays in establishing contact with the Arakan Army could lead to “missed opportunities” as external actors increasingly engage with Rakhine through maritime routes. Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) hosted the policy cafe on “Rakhine after the Fall of Maungdaw: Implications for Bangladesh and the Region” which brought together security experts, former diplomats, and academics to discuss the evolving dynamics in Rakhine State and their implications for Bangladesh and its neighboring regions. Dhaka discusses with UN modalities for int'l conference on Rohingya crisis The discussion was moderated by President of BIPSS Major General (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman while the panelists included Major General (Retd) Md Shahidul Haque, former Defense Attaché to Myanmar and former Ambassador to Libya; and Parvez Karim Abbasi, Assistant Professor at East-West University. The dialogue focused on the increasing control of the Arakan Army (AA) over Rakhine State, which now dominates more than 80 percent of the region, including its 271-km border with Bangladesh. While delivering his opening remarks, Shafqat Munir, Senior Research Fellow, BIPSS, elevated the discourse by sharing his valuable insights on the topic under discussion, and emphasized the importance of navigating through the leverage to acquire from the situation. The panelists emphasised  the strategic necessity, as well, for Bangladesh to engage with the Arakan Army while maintaining a balanced approach that includes both diplomatic and military options. Muniruzzaman, drawing parallels with India's recalibration of its Myanmar strategy, noted that Bangladesh must act decisively to safeguard its interests. He emphasised Rakhine's strategic importance, highlighting its maritime access to the Bay of Bengal and its resource-rich, multi-ethnic composition. Bangladesh in touch with both Myanmar govt and Arakan Army: Home Adviser The expert noted the region’s significance in the context of US-China strategic competition, particularly referencing China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the BCIM Economic Corridor. Besides, he pointed out that projects like the Sino-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline underscore Rakhine’s role as a critical connectivity hub. Muniruzzaman also drew attention to India’s favorable ties with Myanmar’s military (Tatmadaw), urging Bangladesh to act decisively to protect its interests amidst increasing external engagement in Rakhine. Assistant Professor Abbasi said that engaging with the Arakan Army (AA) is a pragmatic approach often employed in complex geopolitical scenarios, suggesting the use of informal communication channels if direct contact proves unfeasible. He warned that the AA’s growing dominance could escalate insurgency risks in India’s northeastern states, highlighting broader regional implications. Abbasi began his remarks by noting the absence of Indian and Pakistani representation in discussions on Rakhine’s future, describing Myanmar as a “proxy-war haven” and cautioning about potential armed assaults in Sittwe. He highlighted shifts in diplomatic rhetoric toward the AA as a reflection of changing geopolitical alignments and used terms like “Balkanization of Myanmar” and “Stockholm Syndrome” to frame his analysis. On the Rohingya issue, he warned that the AA’s vision for an “Arakan Dream,” rooted in Burmese nationalist discourse as a Bengali-free Arakan, excludes any place for Rohingyas. Abbasi also expressed concerns about uncertainties stemming from rising global tensions, including the possible return of hawkish US leadership under Donald Trump. He noted that while the AA appears open to confederation rather than full independence, its growing influence poses significant risks to regional stability. CSCSS Int’l Conference: Impacts of Rohingya crisis, security challenges discussed Major General (retd) Shahidul Haque described potential engagement with the Arakan Army (AA) as a “win-win situation” for Bangladesh, stressing that such an approach could simultaneously advance the country’s security and economic interests. He noted that the evolving political landscape in Rakhine presents Bangladesh with a rare strategic advantage to negotiate its regional interests, particularly with India. Offering a nuanced analysis, Haque identified the AA as the first non-state actor with which Bangladesh shares a border, highlighting its lack of accountability for human rights and international recognition while cautioning about potential cross-border movements of insurgent groups. He revealed that some Bangladeshi tribal groups are actively fighting alongside the AA against Myanmar, warning that fostering ties with the AA could risk long-term trade relations with Myanmar. However, he suggested that economic engagement, such as supplying agricultural surplus to Arakan, could create mutually beneficial outcomes. Haque also pointed out tensions between the AA and Chin groups, which pose challenges for India but could provide strategic negotiation opportunities for Bangladesh. The policy café concluded with an interactive session where participants delved into various dimensions of the issue, including security risks, economic opportunities, and regional geopolitics, offering valuable insights into how Bangladesh can navigate this complex situation while safeguarding its national interests. Bangladesh reaffirms to stop further infiltration as conflicts in Myanmar escalate The discussion sparked robust debate on regional geopolitics, with some participants criticizing an overemphasis on India’s “Chicken’s Neck” corridor and others examining China’s two-ocean strategy, which could involve deploying forces under security pretexts despite Myanmar’s opposition to foreign troops. Participants also explored how Bangladesh could leverage its strategic position between China and India, both of which engage indirectly with Myanmar despite lacking shared borders. There was also advocacy for empowering Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to develop leadership skills, assert their rights, and facilitate repatriation efforts. They underscored the need for a balanced approach to regional dynamics and the importance of fostering sustainable solutions to complex geopolitical challenges.

Myanmar’s military government will release more than 6,000 prisoners and has reduced other inmates’ sentences as part of a mass amnesty on Saturday marking the 77th anniversary of independence from Britain. It wasn’t immediately clear if those released would include any of the thousands of political detainees locked up for opposing army rule since the military seized power in February 2021 from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. That takeover was met with massive nonviolent resistance, which has since become a widespread armed struggle. State-run MRTV television reported that Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military government, granted amnesties covering 5,864 prisoners from Myanmar, as well as 180 foreigners who will be deported. Mass prisoner releases are common on holidays and other significant occasions in Myanmar. The foreigners to be released could include four Thai fishermen who were arrested by Myanmar’s navy in late November after patrol boats opened fire on Thai fishing vessels in waters close to their maritime border in the Andaman Sea. Thailand's prime minister has said she expects the four to be released on Independence Day. Myanmar's Military introduces cybersecurity law with extensive censorship clauses The terms of release warn that if the freed detainees violate the law again, they will have to serve the remainder of their original sentences in addition to any new sentence. In a separate report, it said Min Aung Hlaing had commuted the life sentences of 144 prisoners to 15 years imprisonment. The report provided no details about them. The report also said that all other prisoners will have their sentences reduced by one sixth, except those convicted under the Explosive Substances Act, the Unlawful Associations Act, the Arms Act and the Counter-terrorism Law, all laws which are often used against opponent military rule. Myanmar did not release many details of the prisoners being freed, but many were held on charges related to protests, including Section 505(A) of Myanmar’s penal code, which makes it a crime to spread comments that create public unrest or fear or spread false news. Prisoner releases began on Saturday but can take a few days to be completed. At Insein Prison in the country’s biggest city of Yangon, which is notorious for decades for housing political detainees, relatives of prisoners gathered at the gates from early morning. There was no sign that the prisoner release would include Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held virtually incommunicado by the military since its seizer of power. The 79-year-old Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted of a series of politically tinged prosecutions brought by the military. Her supporters and independent analysts say the cases against her are an attempt to discredit her and legitimize the military’s seizure of power while keeping her from taking part in the military’s promised election, for which no date has yet been set. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring organization, 28,096 people have been arrested on political charges since the army takeover. Of those arrested, 21,499 people were still in detention as of Friday, the AAPP reported. At least 6,106 civilians have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group says. Its tally does not include all casualties from combat. US reaffirms support for Rohingya amid concern over Myanmar Myanmar became a British colony in the late 19th century and regained its independence on Jan. 4, 1948. In the capital Naypyitaw, Myanmar’s military government celebrated the anniversary with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall.

Amid escalating conflicts in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Bangladesh on Tuesday reiterated that it would take all necessary steps to ensure required security along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border and stop further infiltration into Bangladesh. “Bangladesh will do whatever is necessary for its securing its border. All relevant agencies of the Bangladesh government, including the BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh), are on the highest and appropriate alert in this regard to prevent new infiltration into Bangladesh,” spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Rafiqul Alam told reporters at its weekly briefing. On December 8, he said, the Arakan Army captured Maungdaw city in Rakhine State, taking control of 13 out of 17 cities. Responding to a question, Rafiqul Alam said it is difficult to say how many people are waiting on the other side of the border. Bangladesh informed Myanmar that the border is no longer under their control; rather it is now controlled by non-state actors like the Arakan Army. As a state, Bangladesh says, it cannot engage with a non-state actor and Myanmar must find a way to resolve the issues related to the border and Rakhine. Bangladesh renewed the call for a "comprehensive roadmap" for Rohingya repatriation with priority attached to ensuring stability in Rakhine State. Read: US reaffirms support for Rohingya amid concern over Myanmar On Sunday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh had to accept over 60,000 Rohingyas under certain circumstances through various unofficial channels, including border-related corruption, despite its decision in principle not to allow any new arrivals from Myanmar. “We had a position in principle that no new arrival one will be allowed. No one was allowed formally. Another thing we need to keep in mind is that there is huge corruption at the border. And it is true,” he said while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his recent informal consultation at the ministerial level among Myanmar and its five neighbouring countries. The six-nation consultation was held in Bangkok on Thursday under the chairmanship of the Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. The meeting was attended, among others, by Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Than Swe. Responding to a question, Hossain said the Rohingyas are not entering Bangladesh through a single route; they are coming through multiple routes, making it very difficult to stop. Asked about a potential new influx of Rohingya refugees, he dismissed such possibilities. "I do not believe another influx will occur, although many are concerned. We too share these concerns, but we must take measures to prevent it, working with the international community," Hossain said. Bangladesh is aware of the civil war situation currently prevailing in Myanmar, and the 1.2 million Rohingyas who were forcibly displaced from the Rakhine state under extreme atrocities, and are sheltered in Bangladesh for the last 7 plus years. There has been no progress in their repatriation and the situation is further complicated by a non-state actor, the Arakan Army taking control of the entire border with Bangladesh, Adviser Hossain said. Read more: Myanmar's Arakan Army claims control of border with Bangladesh Referring to his meeting in Bangkok, the Foreign Adviser said, "I told them in no uncertain terms that peace and order will not be possible in Myanmar, and consequently in the region, unless the Rohingyas lodged in Myanmar can go back to their homes with security and rights." "It is incumbent on Myanmar and the regional powers to create a congenial atmosphere for their return, he said. “I had the scope to talk in detail as it was an informal discussion and I explained our position clearly,” Hossain told reporters at the foreign ministry. “If Rohingya problem is not resolved, peace and stability that you are thinking of will never be achieved,” he said, while conveying Bangladesh’s position during the meeting in Bangkok.

Expressing concern over the situation in Myanmar, the United States has said helping resolve Rohingya refugee crisis remains a priority for them.  "So we are following this development closely. We’re remained concerned by the conflict and its potential to undermine regional stability and security," Spokesperson at US Department of State Matthew Miller said during a regular media briefing in Washington on December 17. He made the remarks when a reporter wanted to know how the US is assessing the situation and the fate of the Rohingya refugees, noting that the Arakan Army has taken control of the Rakhine state. UN reappoints Dr Debapriya to Committee for Development Policy The people and government of Bangladesh have shown generosity in hosting Rohingya refugees who have fled persecution in Myanmar, Miller said.  "We will continue to work with Bangladesh to support Rohingya and members of other vulnerable communities from Burma (Myanmar) who have taken refuge there," he said. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Dr Yunus, Ramos-Horta express optimism for stronger partnership

Thai police on Saturday said two suspects were in custody as authorities investigated a bombing in the north that killed at least three people and injured dozens of others. An explosive device was thrown into a crowd during an outdoor performance at an annual festival in Umphang town in Tak province, which borders Myanmar, on Friday just before midnight, according to the Association of the Umphang Rescue Groups. Local police said at least 48 people were injured and that police have not yet pressed charges against the suspects as the investigation is ongoing. Thanathip Sawangsang, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, told The Associated Press that local police said there was a fight between rival groups of men before the explosion and that there was no wider security threat. He said the forensic evidence showed that the explosive device was a homemade bomb. South Korean lawmakers to vote on Impeachment of President Yoon over martial law decree Tak province has a heavy military presence in its border areas, including in Umphang. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences to the victims and their families, and ordered security personnel and relevant agencies in the area to investigate and help those who have been affected, said government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsap.  

Dr Khalilur Rahman, High Representative on Rohingya Crisis and Matters of Priority to the Chief Adviser, on Friday said Bangladesh would not take any hasty step over Rohingya issue without any proper assessment regarding the emerging situation in Rakhine state of Myanmar. “We’re keeping watch on the emerging situation in Rakhine….. We don’t want to do anything hastily. We’ll not take any step without deep consideration,” he said, joining a discussion here in the capital through a virtual platform. Unity for Bangladesh, a non-profit youth-based voluntary organisation, arranged the discussion titled ‘Rohingya Crisis and Regional Security: Pertinent Considerations of Bangladesh’ at Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium in Dhaka University in the afternoon. Dr Rahman said the issue is not only a humanitarian matter but also is an issue of the internal security or national security of Bangladesh. “So, we’ll take our next steps following sufficient assessments,” he said.   He said a standoff situation continues in Rakhine state as the Arakan Army has taken control of some 80-85 percent areas of the estate particularly the main lands of Rohingya there has completely gone under the control of the Arakan Army, a non-state actor. Dr Rahman said Bangladesh needs to wait until the final situation in Myanmar. “Our future engagement will depend on the situation that would stand there,” he added. Prof CR Abrar, an expert on migration and refugee issues, stressed the need for making a significant investment in this Rohingya community for their education, health and livelihood and other training in order to make them enable for repatriation to their mother land with dignity and recognition of their identity. Read: Turkey to help Bangladesh resolve Rohingya crisis: Envoy He said Bangladesh needs to choose its allies to educate this community as it is an international responsibility. And all international bodies and communities would be too happy to provide all forms of support to this community for their education, health and training purposes. Noting that what has been done in the name of their education is nothing effective, Prof Abrar said, “If they could stand in a strong position, then both the Arakan Army and Burmese Junta will take them back.”   He said Bangladesh should make a significant departure from this current policy and enable this community so that they can defend them and their rights. “I think our strength (over dealing with the Rohingya issue) will come when we make a significant investment in this community,” said Prof Abrar. Lt Gen (retd) Mahfuzur Rahman, former principal staff officer at the Armed Forces Division, stressed for adopting proper policy to take benefits of the geopolitical and geostrategic advantages. “I think we need to revisit our existing policy,” he said.    He stressed the need for developing Rohingya as human resources and creating leadership among them.    Mahfuzur said Bangladesh missed its opportunity three times from 2017 and 2024 to get a solution to the Rohingya issue and now it is going to miss the fourth opportunity. He said Bangladesh missed the first opportunity by not keeping displaced Rohingya in no man’s land during the 2017 exodus, and the second one in 2022 by refusing the Arakan Army in 2022 when its chief sought humanitarian support and sympathy from Bangladesh and said they would take back Rohingya and the third one in February, 2024 by not taking some Rohingyas to a place inside Myanmar when the Bangladesh-Myanmar border remained unguarded for three weeks following the flee of Myanmar’s Border Guard Police. Read more:Rohingya repatriation: UNGA resolution decides to hold high-level conference in 2025 to propose a time-bound plan Noting that now the National Unity Government is willing to accept Rohingyas, provide their citizenship, the retired general said Bangladesh might miss this opportunity as well. Maj Gen (retd) Nayeem Ashfak Chowdhury, a security analyst, and Dr Saima Ahmed, an international relations teacher in Dhaka University and writer Altaf Parvez also spoke at the discussion presided over by Monzur Moin, the spokesman of the Unity for Bangladesh.

International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim AA Khan on Wednesday announced that he is filing an application for a warrant of arrest against Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing before Pre-Trial Chamber I. After an extensive, independent and impartial investigation, his office has concluded that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that Senior General and acting President Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, bears "criminal responsibility" for the crimes against humanity of deportation and persecution of the Rohingya, committed in Myanmar, and in part in Bangladesh. This is the first application for an arrest warrant against a high-level Myanmar government official that his office is filing. Since 14 November 2019, they have been investigating alleged crimes committed during the 2016 and 2017 waves of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, and the subsequent exodus of Rohingya from Myanmar to Bangladesh. ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan to visit Bangladesh Nov 25-28; will meet Prof Yunus "My office alleges that these crimes were committed between 25 August 2017 and 31 December 2017 by the armed forces of Myanmar, the Tatmadaw, supported by the national police, the border guard police, as well as non-Rohingya civilians," Khan, who is visiting Bangladesh, said in a statement. Today’s application draws upon a wide variety of evidence from numerous sources such as witness testimonies, including from a number of insider witnesses, documentary evidence and authenticated scientific, photographic and video materials. In collecting this evidence, the office has benefitted from the crucial support of States, civil society partners and international organisations. In particular, the cooperation, the confidence and the steadfast commitment from the Rohingya community, the support of the government of Bangladesh, and excellent cooperation from the United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar have been essential to advancing this investigation, Khan said. "I wish in particular to express my deep, profound gratitude to the Rohingya. More than a million members of their community have been forced to flee violence in Myanmar," he said, adding that they are grateful to all those who provided testimony and support to his office, those that have shared their stories, those that have given us information and material. Yunus, ICC discuss ways to file crimes against humanity case in July-Aug massacre In his visits to the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar over the last three years, including just Tuesday, Khan met Rohingya women who spoke with clarity and purpose about the need for accountability. "I sat with youth activists who wanted to play their own role in seeking justice. And I spoke with men of all ages including the old and the sick, who were united in demanding to be seen and to have accountability for what befell them," he said, adding that their work seeks to vindicate their resilience and their hope in the power of the law. Khan said it is now for the judges of the International Criminal Court to determine whether this application meets the necessary standard for the issuance of an arrest warrant.  "In the event that the independent judges of the ICC issue the requested warrant, we will coordinate closely with the Registrar of the Court in all efforts to arrest the named individual," Khan said. When he first travelled to Bangladesh, he announced that they would seek to accelerate their investigations, and they committed to providing additional resources in that effort. "Since then, we have reinvigorated our activities in line with that promise. Today marks a culmination of this renewed focus in relation to this situation," Khan said. He said they will continue this focus in the coming weeks and months as we submit additional applications in this situation. "In doing so, we will be demonstrating, together with all of our partners, that the Rohingya have not been forgotten. That they, like all people around the world, are entitled to the protection of the law," Khan said.