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Why is the place destroyed?

Why are there so many women protesting with a white piece of clothing?

Why is the man tied with no clothes by the police?

Why is there much chaos?

Is there no order?

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ICJ genocide hearings in The Hague, reiterate call for ceasefire

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ICJ genocide hearings in The Hague, reiterate call for ceasefire

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In January 2024, UN experts praised South Africa for starting legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel, alleging genocide against Palestinians. South Africa asked the ICJ to order Israel to halt military actions in Gaza and protect Palestinians. The experts stressed the importance of following any orders from the ICJ. They also called for global cooperation with the Court. This case is similar to one brought by The Gambia against Myanmar in 2019. Both South Africa and Israel have agreed to prevent and punish genocide. The experts mentioned evidence of genocidal statements by Israeli officials and urged for immediate peace and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

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South Africa plans law change over Putin ICC arrest warrant

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South Africa plans law change over Putin ICC arrest warrant

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South Africa is thinking about changing its laws to decide whether to arrest leaders wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Deputy Minister Obed Bapela said this because of concerns about inviting Russia's President Putin, who the ICC wants to arrest for the Ukraine war. The new law would let South Africa choose not to arrest certain people. The ICC wants to arrest Putin for war crimes, but South Africa wants to stay neutral on Russia's actions. They are exploring ways to avoid arresting Putin and are talking to the ICC about it.

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By Farouk Chothia and Robert Greenall

South Africa plans to change its law so that it has the power to decide whether or not to arrest a leader wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a deputy minister has told the BBC.

Obed Bapela's remarks come amid intense speculation over whether South Africa stands by its invitation to Russia's President Putin to visit in August.

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Mr Putin over the Ukraine war.

South Africa had earlier invited him to attend a summit of Brics leaders.

Russia has not said whether Mr Putin plans to attend the summit.

Meanwhile Pretoria has also granted diplomatic immunity to Russian officials attending, something that its foreign affairs department described as standard procedure.

Brics is intended to strengthen ties between the nations that make it up - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

"In June we'll be submitting the law in parliament," Obed Bapela, a deputy minister in the South African presidency, told the BBC World Service's Newshour programme.

Through the law, South Africa "will give itself exemptions of who to arrest and who not to arrest," Mr Bapela said.

Under its current laws, South Africa is obliged to arrest Mr Putin if he arrives on its shores, as it is a member of the ICC.

But South Africa has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, insisting it wants to remain neutral.

The ICC issued its warrant for Mr Putin in March, accusing him of being responsible for war crimes - though Moscow has rejected such allegations.

South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has launched a court application to compel the authorities to arrest Mr Putin should he arrive in August.

Mr Bapela said that South Africa was also writing to the ICC about a waiver.

This refers to article 98 of the Rome Statue, the treaty which established the court in 2002.

While article 27 says no-one is immune from prosecution by the ICC, article 98 appears to suggest that the ICC could not ask South Africa to arrest the Russian leader unless Russia agreed to waive Mr Putin's immunity from prosecution.

The deputy minister also lashed out at the ICC for its "double standards", saying the late Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratically elected president, would have been disappointed by the war crimes court.

"We never thought that the ICC that we have today will be what it is. They never indicted Tony Blair, they never indicted [George W] Bush for their killings of Iraq people," he said, referring to the former UK and US leaders and their invasion of Iraq in 2003.

"Mandela would have said [that] the inequality, the inconsistency by the ICC, is a problem."

Mr Bapela also pointed to past examples of exemptions of international justice, like the UK's decision not to extradite General Augusto Pinochet in 1998.

The former Chilean dictator was arrested in London at the request of a Spanish judge seeking to put him on trial for human rights abuses during his 17-year rule, but the UK government freed him after 16 months on the advice of medical experts who said he was unfit to stand trial. He died back home in 2006.

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South Africa plans law change over Putin ICC arrest warrant

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By Farouk Chothia and Robert Greenall South Africa plans to change its law so that it has the power to decide whether or not to arrest a leader wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a deputy minister has told the BBC.

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In 2017, violence and rights violations in Myanmar forced many Rohingya people to flee to Bangladesh. Over 960,000 Rohingya now live there, mostly in Cox's Bazar, home to the world's largest refugee camp. The United Nations calls the Rohingya "the most persecuted minority."

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In August 2017, armed attacks, massive scale violence, and serious human rights violations forced thousands of Rohingya to flee their homes in Myanmar's Rakhine State. Many walked for days through jungles and undertook dangerous sea journeys across the Bay of Bengal to reach safety in Bangladesh. Now, more than 960,000 people have found safety in Bangladesh with a majority living in the Cox Bazar's region - home to the world's largest refugee camp. The United Nations has described the Rohingya as "the most persecuted minority in the world."

Here's What You Need to Know:

The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic minority group who have lived for centuries in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar - formerly known as Burma. Despite living in Myanmar for many generations, the Rohingya are not recognized as an official ethnic group and have been denied citizenship since 1982, making them the world's largest stateless population.

As a stateless population, Rohingya families are denied basic rights and protection and are extremely vulnerable to exploitation, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and abuse.

The Rohingya have suffered decades of violence, discrimination and persecution in Myanmar. Their largest exodus began in August 2017 after a massive wave of violence broke out in Myanmar's Rakhine State, forcing more than 742,000 people - half of them children - to seek refuge in Bangladesh. Entire villages were burned to the ground, thousands of families were killed or separated and massive human rights violations were reported.

More than 1 million Rohingya refugees have fled violence in Myanmar in successive waves of displacement since the 1990s. Now, more than 960,000 Rohingya refugees are living in Bangladesh with a majority settled in and around Kutupalong and Nayapara refugee camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar region - some of the largest and most densely populated camps in the world.

More than half of all Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh (52 percent) are children, while 51 percent are comprised of women and girls. The current refugee population accounts for one-third of the total population in the Cox's Bazar region, making support to host communities essential for peaceful coexistence.
Learn more about life inside Kutupalong refugee camp
Since 2021, to decongest the 33 camps in Cox's Bazar, nearly 30,000 refugees have been relocated to Bhasan Char island by the Government of Bangladesh. While protection services and humanitarian assistance have been scaled up on the island, significant gaps remain in service delivery and the sustainability of critical assistance.

Rohingya refugees have also sought refuge in other neighboring countries like Thailand (92,000) and India (21,000), with smaller numbers settling in Indonesia, Nepal and other countries across the region.

Armed clashes across Myanmar have continued to trigger displacement, bringing the total number of internally displaced people (IDP) within the country to more than 1.8 million - including 1.5 million of whom have been internally displaced since February 2021.

The monsoon season runs from June to October each year and brings heavy rainfall and strong winds to Bangladesh, increasing the risk of floods and landslides. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have found refuge in flimsy shelters made of bamboo and tarp which have been built in areas prone to landslides, which may not stand torrential rains and heavy winds.

The rainy season also exacerbates the risk of disease - such as hepatitis, malaria, dengue and chikungunya - in crowded camps that don't have proper water and sanitation facilities, putting children and the elderly at particular risk.

In May 2023, Cyclone Mocha struck Bangladesh and Myanmar, the most severe storm to hit the region in recent years, causing widespread destruction. Cyclone Mocha had a devastating impact on homes, infrastructure and millions of people across Bangladesh and Myanmar. The storm impacted 2.3 million people in Bangladesh, including 930,000 Rohingya refugees.

With the monsoon rains starting soon after, residents of the camp have attempted to rebuild as best they can before the rainy season reaches its peak. But only a fraction of damaged and destroyed shelters have been repaired, and thousands of people remain exposed to the elements.

UNHCR and its partners, along with government agencies, are on the ground to provide emergency relief to the affected communities. Rapid assessments are ongoing. The immediate priorities include the provision of emergency shelter, clean drinking water, food supplies and ensuring access to health and sanitation facilities.

How is UNHCR supporting Rohingya refugees?

Rohingya refugees lack legal status and livelihood opportunities, and their movements outside the camps are restricted, leaving them entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance and at heightened risk of exploitation and abuse. UNHCR's activities include registering refugees, providing protection and legal assistance, preventing gender-based violence, ensuring provision of adequate shelter, health care and sanitation, supporting education and skills development, as well as livelihood opportunities and distributing life-saving relief items where needed.

Given the camps and their inhabitants are highly exposed to weather-related hazards such as severe storms like Cyclone Mocha, or to fires, flooding and landslides, UNHCR also works to protect and mitigate against such dangers. Underfunding directly affects the successful implementation of climate actions, in particular the provision of liquefied petroleum gas to refugees as a clean and reliable source of energy for cooking, and one which protects women and children from long and dangerous daily treks to collect firewood.

UNHCR continues to engage in political dialogue on their voluntary repatriation. Until safe and dignified returns iare possible, Bangladesh and the Rohingya refugees will require sustained and adequate financial support to ensure they can live safely.

UNHCR is on the ground providing lifesaving humanitarian support to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees. However, they need your help. Becoming a monthly donor is the most efficient and effective way to help those fleeing conflict. Make a difference in the lives of refugees by becoming USA for UNHCR's newest monthly donor.

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In August 2017, violence broke out in Myanmar's Rakhine State, forcing nearly one million Rohingya to flee their homes and seek refuge in Bangladesh. Today the number of arrivals continue to grow.

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New York police officials said the man had pointed an “imitation gun” that seemed to be a real firearm at officers.

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New York police officials said the man had pointed an “imitation gun” that seemed to be a real firearm at officers.

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In Queens, New York City, a man was shot and killed by a police officer in an apartment after officers responded to a 911 call about gunfire. The man, who wasn't immediately identified, allegedly pointed what seemed to be a real gun at the officers, but it turned out to be a fake. The shooting happened in the morning at a public housing complex. The officers didn't have their body cameras on, and an investigation is underway. The man had no previous run-ins with the police and lived in the apartment. The state attorney general's office is also looking into the incident. City officials are waiting for more information from the investigation.

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Police Officer Fatally Shoots Man in Queens Apartment, Officials Say

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New York police officials said the man had pointed an “imitation gun” that seemed to be a real firearm at officers.

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Seven African countries have 40% of the world's child soldiers, says UN

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Seven African countries have 40% of the world's child soldiers, says UN

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In Africa, many kids are being forced to join armies and fight in wars. This is a big problem because Africa has a lot of child soldiers, and the situation is getting worse because of more fighting. Some countries are trying to stop this by agreeing not to put kids who were in the army in jail, but to help them instead. People around the world remember this problem every year on Red Hand Day. Some groups are asking for laws to protect kids from being soldiers and to help them get back to normal life. There are some kids who used to be soldiers but are now doing well, like Benjamin Mawel, who owns a company, and Kuech Deng Atem, who uses humor to help people. Overall, it's important to stop kids from being soldiers and to help them rebuild their lives after war.

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On 12 February, the world commemorated Red Hand Day.

It's the annual reaffirmation to stop the use of child soldiers.

In 2021, more than 6 310 children were recruited and used in conflict areas.

Half of the 14 countries that recruited children into armed conflict are in Africa.

In addition, the continent is home to 40% of the world's child soldier population, estimated to be 250 000, according to the United Nations (UN).

And rising conflicts across the continent are pushing more children into vulnerability as they are not only turned into soldiers, but sex slaves and helpers too.

"The recruitment and use of children in conflict areas remain one of the highest verified violations against children.

"According to the Annual Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to the UN General Assembly, in 2021, more than 6 310 children (5 707 boys, 603 girls) were recruited and used by parties to conflict.

"And this number is expected to have climbed higher in the face of escalating and new crises since," said the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children.
ALSO READ | Almost four million people enslaved in Africa, mostly women and children - UN bodies
On Sunday, the world marked Red Hand Day, the annual reaffirmation to stop the use of child soldiers.

The commemoration came as Nigeria and Burkina Faso agreed to stop holding minors associated with armed organisations in military detention and, instead, to promote their reintegration into society.

Anti-child soldier lobbyists this year rekindled their demands that no child under the age of 18 may be used or trained in armies, armed groups or other military units.
From child soldier to top engineer
They also want care, protection, political asylum, expansion of financial support for aid programmes for child soldiers, and the promotion of peace education.

Sudan and South Sudan are two of Africa's most affected countries by the child soldier crisis, despite the exact numbers being unknown because the crime is not reported by the perpetrators and poor birth registration makes age verification difficult.

However, there have been cases of successful reintegration of child soldiers into society.

Benjamin Mawel is a former child soldier who, since 2011, has been the owner of one of South Sudan's leading engineering companies, Liberty Engineering and Construction.

He took time to share his journey from being a child soldier to a respectable member of society at a function to commemorate Red Hand Day in South Sudan.

"I am a former child soldier, I will not say I was recruited because I volunteered to be one of the soldiers," he said.

The year was 1982 and he was 11 years old, growing up in a region of South Sudan that, he said, was like "the wild, wild west"; three soldiers decided to leave the army and form a local militia group, which he joined.

He said:

The reason for training in combat was that they wanted to protect their community from cattle raiders.

That's when they learned that one could go to Ethiopia for further training and be given a gun.

"All of us volunteered to go to Ethiopia," he said.
From child soldier to comedian
A few, like him, were lucky to be taken from the refugee camps to further their education in Canada.

Another former child soldier, Kuech Deng Atem, 28, used humour to assist people to get over the emotional wounds sustained through years of war.

"When I was reunited with my family, I decided to go to school," he said, noting that one of the worst things to affect South Sudan was tribalism.

Atem made a joke about something he claimed was a typical occurrence for many South Sudanese folks. It entails getting pulled over by police, who falsely accuse you of having fake registration papers. Then, the police demand payment from the drivers.

When he was 10 years old in 2006, he was recruited as a child soldier. With other kids, he received training in Aweil and Mapel before joining the combat in Heglig and Abyei.

Child soldiers were mainly used to care for wounded soldiers and carry ammunition.

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Seven African countries have 40% of the world's child soldiers, says UN | News24

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Half of the 14 countries that recruited children into armed conflict are in Africa.

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African Court’s landmark decisions ensure prosecution of crimes against journalists

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African Court’s landmark decisions ensure prosecution of crimes against journalists

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The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights made a big impact by helping to solve cases where journalists were harmed. One important case was about Norbert Zongo, a journalist in Burkina Faso who was killed in 1998. The court said that the government didn't do enough to solve his case. They also gave money to Zongo's family for what happened. Another case involved a journalist named Lohé Issa Konaté who was jailed for criticizing a government official. The court said this was wrong and ordered the government to change its laws and pay the journalist money. Even though these cases didn't directly involve all of Africa, they helped protect freedom of speech across the continent. To make sure judges understand these important decisions, they need good training and information about the court's rulings.

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African Court's landmark decisions ensure prosecution of crimes against journalists

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Part of a series of interviews with judges, prosecutors and legal experts from around the world in order to showcase good practices to #EndImpunity for crimes against journalists and #ProtectJournalists

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The Rohingya crisis began in 2017 when many Rohingya, including children, fled violence in Myanmar to seek safety in Bangladesh. Now, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya children live in refugee camps, facing challenges like disease, malnutrition, and limited education. Without citizenship, they're vulnerable to exploitation. It's crucial to protect their rights and provide opportunities for a better future.

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Updated 3 March 2023

What is the Rohingya crisis?

When hundreds of thousands of terrified Rohingya refugees began flooding onto the beaches and paddy fields of southern Bangladesh in August 2017, it was the children who caught many people's attention. As the refugees - almost 60 per cent of whom were children - poured across the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh, they brought with them accounts of the unspeakable violence and brutality that had forced them to flee.

Those fleeing attacks and violence in the 2017 exodus joined around 300,000 people already in Bangladesh from previous waves of displacement, effectively forming the world's largest refugee camp. Five years later, about half a million Rohingya refugee children are living in exile from their home country. Many of them have been born into this limbo.

Almost a million Rohingya are currently living in refugee camps in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. The Rohingya rely entirely on humanitarian assistance for protection, food, water, shelter and health, and they are living in temporary shelters in highly congested camp settings.

Read UNICEF's 2023 humanitarian appeal for Bangladesh here

How is the Rohingya crisis affecting children?

While basic services have been provided, children still face disease outbreaks, malnutrition, inadequate educational opportunities and the risks related to neglect, exploitation and violence including gender-based violence risks, child marriage and child labour. Meanwhile, annual cycles of heavy monsoon and cyclones pose substantial risks to both Rohingya refugees and host communities.

In Myanmar, most Rohingya have no legal identity or citizenship and statelessness remains a significant concern. Rohingya children in Rakhine State, meanwhile, have been hemmed in by violence, forced displacement and restrictions on freedom of movement.

Until the conditions are in place in Myanmar that would allow Rohingya families to return home with basic rights - safety from violence, citizenship, free movement, health and education - they are stuck as refugees or internally displaced persons living in overcrowded and sometimes dangerous conditions.

Older children and adolescents who are deprived of opportunities to learn or make a living are at real risk of becoming a "lost generation"

Older children and adolescents who are deprived of opportunities to learn or make a living are at real risk of becoming a "lost generation," ready prey to traffickers and those who would exploit them for political or other ends. Girls and women are at particular risk of sexual and other gender-based violence in this situation, including being forced into early marriage and being left out of school as parents keep them at home.

What is UNICEF doing to help Rohingya children?

UNICEF has been on the ground in the refugee camps in Bangladesh from day one, and is still there for every Rohingya refugee child who needs clean water, health care, protection, nutritious food and education.

It is critical that the rights and dignity of the Rohingya refugees be respected, protected and promoted. Ensuring that Rohingya refugees have educational opportunities, access to health care and services, clean water and sanitation, as well as have access to livelihood opportunities which will ensure that the refugees are equipped and ready to return to a life of dignity in their homeland.

All children deserve equitable and inclusive access to education. To help prevent a "lost generation," UNICEF and partners have enrolled more than 300,000 children in classes. Rohingya children and their parents have made it clear that they want an education based on the Myanmar curriculum. With that in mind, by August 2022, more than 130,000 learners were learning per their home country curriculum.

Read more about UNICEF's work and results.
Get the most up-to-date statistics available on the situation in Bangladesh and Myanmar.

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Updated 3 March 2023 What is the Rohingya crisis? When hundreds of thousands of terrified Rohingya refugees began flooding onto the beaches and paddy fields of southern Bangladesh in August 2017, it was the children who caught many people's attention.