US considering sanctions over Myanmar s treatement of Rohingya

WASHINGTON – The United States is considering taking a range of actions over Myanmar’s treatment of Rohingya minority, the State Department said on Monday. The actions will include targeted sanctions under its Global Magnistsky law.

“We express our gravest concern with recent events in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and the violent, traumatic abuses Rohingya and other communities have endured”, the US State Department issued a statement.

“It is imperative that any individuals or entities responsible for atrocities, including non-state actors and vigilantes, be held accountable,” it added.

The Magnistsky law, if in effect, will impose ban on issuance of visa to military officials linked to operation in Rakhine. They will, also, not be eligible to receive any assistance by US.

The statement is the first sign that the US would reimpose sanctions on Myanmar that were lifted after it shifted toward democracy. Former political prisoner, Noble Peace Prize laureate and current Myanmar leader Aung San Suu kyi has described the army operation against Rohingya’s as a counter terrorism operation. She faced harsh criticism on her silence over Rohingya crisis.

Rohingyas are considered the most persecuted minority in the world. The recent conflict emerged on 25th August, after attack on BSF, and is termed a ‘text book example of ethnic cleansing’ by UN. According to stats by UN, 600,000 Rohingya’s have fled to Bangladesh.

More from this category

Advertisment

Advertisment

Follow us on Facebook

Search