The United States, Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom announced coordinated sanctions (WSJ) against China for its repression of Uyghur Muslims. Those targeted are current and former officials, as well as a paramilitary group, who participated in human rights abuses against Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region, where U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China has committed genocide (Al Jazeera) and crimes against humanity.

Australia and New Zealand voiced support for the penalties, which are the first human rights sanctions the EU and UK have imposed on China in roughly three decades. China retaliated by sanctioning European individuals and entities, a move parliamentarians from the bloc said threatens a China-EU investment deal (FT). Today, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned sanctions (DW) against their countries.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tearfully urged a change in how the public views women and expressed disgust (FT) toward a video that shows a ruling party staff member performing lewd acts in Parliament. Morrison has been criticized for his response to recent rape allegations involving government officials.

The United States sanctioned two security officials and two army divisions in Myanmar, where the country’s military junta continues to brutally suppress dissent (Reuters). The EU sanctioned eleven people in its most significant action since the February 1 coup.

Bangladesh: A fire tore through camps (AFP) housing Rohingya refugees in the southeastern district of Cox’s Bazar, killing at least fifteen people and forcing tens of thousands to flee. The cause is unknown. 

Saudi Arabia announced a proposal (Al Jazeera) for a cease-fire with the Houthi rebels, its adversaries in Yemen’s conflict. The plan would include allowing food and fuel imports through Yemen’s main port and renewing talks between the rebels and the Yemeni government. The Houthis rejected the proposal.

Lebanon: UN experts urged Lebanon’s government to ensure an independent, impartial investigation into the murder last month of Lokman Slim, a publisher and Hezbollah critic. No arrests have been made, though twenty people have been called for questioning, the National reports.

Niger, which is struggling to confront Islamist insurgents, began a three-day mourning period today for the victims of a suspected jihadi attack on Sunday. Unidentified gunmen attacked three villages (AFP) in Niger’s western region of Tahoua, killing 137 people, according to a government spokesperson and a local official. 

Tanzania: Authorities in Dar es Salaam pledged to issue a detailed report (Citizen) on a stampede that occurred as thousands of people gathered to pay their respects to the body of former President John Magufuli, who died last week. At least five people died in the stampede (Reuters), though the death toll could be higher.

CFR’s Nolan Quinn discusses Magufuli’s death and the issues his successor faces.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced today (DW) that her country will extend its coronavirus lockdown measures until April 18, with additional restrictions over the Easter holiday. Other European countries have taken similar steps (Guardian) to confront a surge in COVID-19 cases.
 
Bulgaria: The government ordered two Russian diplomats to leave Bulgaria (RFE/RL), days after Bulgarian authorities announced that a spy ring had provided classified information to Russia’s embassy in Sofia. Russia raised the possibility of retaliation.

President Joe Biden sent U.S. officials (Reuters) to Guatemala and Mexico, where they will ask for help in curbing the rise in migrants heading toward the U.S.-Mexico border. Newly appointed Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle Ricardo Zuniga was among the officials dispatched.

CFR’s Paul J. Angelo explains why Central Americans are arriving at the U.S. border.

Honduras: A New York court found a Honduran man guilty (LAHT) of drug trafficking and weapons charges. U.S. prosecutors say Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez aided the man’s criminal activities, an allegation Hernandez has denied.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said officials are working to expand facilities housing child migrants after Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) released images of children being held in crowded, makeshift conditions (BBC) near the U.S.-Mexico border. 

This CFR Backgrounder looks at U.S. detention of child migrants.