USA DECLARES ROHINGYA CRISIS AS ‘ETHNIC CLEANSING’

WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday said the atrocities against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims amounted to “ethnic cleansing” and threatened “targeted sanctions” against those responsible for the situation, including some in the military and security forces.

“After a careful and thorough analysis of available facts, it is clear that the situation in northern Rakhine state constitutes ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya,” US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said.

The US will “pursue accountability through US law, including possible targeted sanctions”, he said. “Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable,” he added.

Even though the US withdrew broad-based economic sanctions against Myanmar in 2016, it had kept some in place, especially those imposed on the military. The new “targeted sanctions” will focus on individuals and groups responsible for the recent attacks, which were “organised, planned and systematic”, a senior official told reporters.

The term “ethnic cleansing” comes with no obligations or punitive measures under international or domestic US laws, unlike the designations of “genocide” and “crimes against humanity”, which carry grave implications.

Tillerson said the US will continue to “support a credible, independent investigation” to ascertain the facts on the ground, and also consider “targeted sanctions”. He added that the US will also support the Myanmar government’s efforts to “create the conditions necessary for all refugees and internally displaced people to return to their homes… voluntarily ”.