U.S. slams Burma’s ‘ethnic cleansing’
Secretary of state considering ‘targeted sanctions’ against those responsible for crisis
WASHINGTON— The United States declared the ongoing violence against Rohingya Muslims in Burma to be “ethnic cleansing” on Wednesday, threatening penalties for military officials engaged in a brutal crackdown that has sent more than 600,000 refugees flooding over the border to Bangladesh.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson blamed Burma’s security forces and “local vigilantes” for what he called “intolerable suffering” by the Rohingya. Although the military has accused Rohingya insurgents of triggering the crisis, Tillerson said that “no provocation can justify the horrendous atrocities that have ensued.”
“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,” Tillerson said in a statement. Although the designation carries no legal obligations for the U.S. to act, Tillerson said those who perpetrated the atrocities “must be held accountable.” He added that the U.S. wanted a full investigation and was considering “targeted sanctions” against those responsible — but not broader sanctions against the nation.
Rohingya from Burma’s Rakhine state have been fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh, seeking refuge from what Burma’s military has called “clearance operations.” The crisis started in August, when Rohingya insurgents attacked Burma security forces, leading to a brutal crackdown in which soldiers and Buddhist mobs have killed men, raped women and burned homes and property to force the Rohingya to leave.
The declaration followed a lengthy review process by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to determine whether the violence met the threshold to be considered ethnic cleansing. The United Nations came to that conclusion in September, but the U.S. had held off, with Tillerson saying he needed more information even as he expressed deep concern about the crisis.
Last week, Tillerson travelled to Burma in the highest level visit by a U.S. official since Trump took office. U.S. officials dangled the possibility of an “ethnic cleansing” designation ahead of Tillerson’s trip, potentially giving him more leverage as he met with officials in Burma.
Senior State Department officials said the determination was intended to ramp up pressure on the military and others in Burma to resolve the conflict and repatriate refugees who have fled to Bangladesh.
Yet sweeping sanctions targeting Burma’s economy or its military as a whole are off the table, officials said, adding that the Trump administration had determined they would not be productive either for ensuring accountability or for promoting broader U.S. goals in Burma. Instead, the U.S. is considering sanctions against individuals only, said the officials, who weren’t authorized to comment by name and briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.