Bangladesh: Islamist party leader arrested

Today's headlines: amendments criminalising pre-marital pregnancies and homosexuality were passed in a Malaysian state; the US created a new space unit in South Korea; more than 900 Afghan children were repatriated from Iran; doctors in Russia must avoid 'provocative phrases' towards patients.

BANGLADESH

The Bangladeshi police arrested Shafiqur Rahman, head of the country's largest Islamist party, the Jamaat-e-Islami. In recent days he had announced that he would join opposition protests - led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party - demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Since Hasina came to power in 2009, Jamaat's entire leadership has been arrested and tried for war crimes dating back to the country's 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

MALAYSIA

Human rights activists expressed concern about two amendments passed in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia, which, among other things, punish Muslim women who get pregnant out of wedlock or behave like men. The amendments were approved by Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas), the state's ruling Islamist party. The punishments include a combination of cash fines, imprisonment and beating.

KOREA - UNITED STATES

The US armed forces in South Korea have created a new space unit to counter missile threats from North Korea. US Space Forces Korea will be tasked with monitoring, detecting and tracking incoming missiles, as well as strengthening the overall capabilities of the military. Some 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea under a treaty signed at the end of the Korean War.

IRAN - AFGHANISTAN

At least 925 children who entered Iran illegally have been repatriated to Afghanistan, according to Taliban authorities. Concerns grew that unaccompanied minors would become victims of human traffickers, active in the province of Nimroz, which borders Pakistan and Iran.

IRAQ

In Iraqi Kurdistan in the last two years, an increasing number of women have attempted suicide by setting themselves on fire due to domestic abuse. Between 2020 and 2021 there was a 125% increase in gender-based violence according to the United Nations. Despite the efforts of the autonomous government of Kurdistan, many women continue to experience dangerous situations.

RUSSIA

The Russian Ministry of Health has issued a methodological circular among doctors for communication with patients, specifying the 'provocative phrases' that should be avoided such as 'we can't', 'it's your problem' (to be replaced by 'our problem'), 'what are you still not satisfied with?', calling everyone 'you' and avoiding 'indifferent and distracted tones'.

ARMENIA

Armenian President Pašinyan spoke in Yerevan at the 4th Global Forum "Against the Crime of Genocide", warning of the risk of a potential genocide against the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijan, in relation to the continued blockades by Azerbaijan of the "Lačinsk corridor", "the only way to avoid de-population, loss of identity and physical elimination".

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