Bangladesh: March in Cox’s Bazar in support of Rohingyas Oct. 6

Event

The radical Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islami Bangladesh is planning to hold a rally in Cox’s Bazar on Friday, October 6, to express their support for the Rohingya Muslims currently fleeing persecution and violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Protesters are demanding that the Burmese government stop the violence against the Muslim minority group, allow them to return to Myanmar from Bangladesh - where over 400,000 Rohingyas have sought refuge - and guarantee their Burmese citizenship. Clashes between demonstrators and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Hefazat-e-Islami Bangladesh previously gathered between 10,000 and 20,000 Muslims in marches in Dhaka in support of the Rohingya people on September 15 and 18.

Approximately 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh since August 25 following a crackdown by Myanmar's army on the Rohingya community. The influx of refugees is creating a humanitarian crisis, as aid agencies in southeastern Bangladesh are struggling to accommodate all the refugees.

Advice

Individuals present in large cities in Bangladesh are advised to avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings due to the possibility of violence.