The U.S. Calls Myanmar's Actions Against the Rohingya Population 'Ethnic Cleansing'

The United States labeled the actions of Myanmar's army against the Muslim Rohingya minority in the country as 'ethnic cleansing' and noted that those responsible for these actions will be punished. According to Reuters, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated on Wednesday, November 22, referring to developments in Myanmar, 'After careful and thorough review of available information, it has become clear to us that the events in northern Rakhine state constitute ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya.' Previously, United Nations officials had also referred to the actions of the Myanmar army in Rakhine state as 'ethnic cleansing,' but Tillerson, who visited Myanmar last week, had refrained from using this term. Although he had previously stated that he holds the Myanmar army responsible for this crisis, Reuters writes that Tillerson's remarks clearly indicate that the United States has changed its position on this matter. The U.S. Secretary of State further stated, 'These acts of violence and abuse, for which some members of the Burmese [Myanmar] army, security forces, and local mobs are responsible, have caused immense suffering and forced hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children to flee their homes in Burma and seek refuge in Bangladesh.' Tillerson then emphasized that the United States supports independent investigations into the events in Rakhine state and will certainly take actions to ensure that those responsible for these events are held accountable. He stated, 'Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable.' Human rights observers have accused the Myanmar army of committing atrocities such as gang rapes against Rohingya women. Recent clashes in Myanmar began in late summer this year after a group of Rohingya militants attacked 30 police forces and a military base in Myanmar. Since then, more than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Rakhine state, most of whom sought refuge in neighboring Bangladesh.