At least 21 people, belonging to the persecuted Rohingya minority in Myanmar, drowned after their boat capsized near Sittwe Township on Tuesday.
“There are conflicting reports of the precise number of people on board but local reports say that at least 15 are still missing,” said Chris Lewa of the Arakan Project which monitors Rohingya migrants.
"This accident serves as a tragic reminder of the vulnerability that many communities and families face in this area of Rakhine," said Janet Jackson, the UN's resident and humanitarian co-ordinator in Myanmar. "Their only option is to use this mode of travel in order to access livelihoods, and other basic services that are essential for a dignified life,” Jackson added referring to the travel ban imposed on the minority community. In addition to their movement, access to services, including healthcare, is severely restricted by authorities.
Tuesday’s incident barely made headlines, as the Rohingya are rarely accorded space in the narrative on global refugees. Last year, for a brief period, the Rohingya claimed international attention as several boats carrying members of the group who were fleeing their home country were stranded at sea, being denied entry from destination countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. (Courtesy of thecitizen.in)
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