DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) – Thousands of Bangladeshis marched in the capital’s streets Friday to protest the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, one of several similar rallies in the region.
Chanting “Stop killing Rohingya Muslims,” they marched in Dhaka as violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state escalated, forcing thousands to leave their homes.
The protesters from several Islamic groups burned an effigy of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a flag of Myanmar. They carried banners reading “Open border to save the Rohingya.” Bangladesh’s southeast borders Myanmar.
Organizers said some 10,000 protesters joined the rally in Dhaka. Smaller protests occurred in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Also, rights group Amnesty International asked Bangladesh not to forcibly send fleeing Rohingya back to Myanmar.