Rohingya Refugees Are Being Sent Back to Myanmar
Rohingya refugees are being sent back to Myanmar against their will. Since August 2017, more than 700,000 Rohingya refugees fled Myanmar and headed for Bangladesh. Most stayed in Cox’s Baazar, which became the biggest refugee camp in the world. The Rohingya refugees were fleeing from violence, especially against women, and religious persecution. Many of their homes and villages were set on fire, so even if they are sent back to Myanmar, they don’t have homes to return to.
Rohingya refugees have been protesting this repatriation back to Myanmar. Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed back in October to move an initial 2,200 people back to Myanmar. Aid groups have been opposed to this idea, fearing for the safety of the Rohingya refugees being sent back. Women and girls are especially at a heightened risk of sexual violence. Volunteers working with our colleagues at ActionAid Bangladesh have heard the horrific stories of women surviving sexual violence on their way to Bangladesh, and have been providing medical care and women only spaces for these women to heal.
Fishermen Suing Fossil Fuel Companies
Crab fishermen along California’s coast are suing fossil fuel companies, such as Exxon and Chevron, because of their contributions to global warming that has damaged their fisheries. Many fishermen are dealing with shorter fishing seasons caused by the warming of oceans due to climate change, and toxic crabs that are poisonous to eat.
The lawsuit against these fossil fuel companies allege that they knew the harm they were causing and they were acting in their own interests and furthering global warming. This is the first lawsuit filed by a private industry group that is looking to hold fossil fuel companies responsible for their role in crab fishermen losses due to climate change.
Same Sex Couples Marry in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, it’s been ruled that same sex couples will be able to get married in 2020. This makes Costa Rica the first country in Central America to do so. According to a survey, only 30% of Costa Ricans support same sex marriage. Each year, hundreds of LGBTQ poeple are forced to flee due to violence against them. This is a step forward to ensuring LGBTQ individuals receive their full rights.
