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| Rohingya crisis: US calls Myanmar action 'ethnic cleansing' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says Myanmar's military action against the minority Muslim Rohingya population constitutes ethnic cleansing. | US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says Myanmar's military action against the minority Muslim Rohingya population constitutes ethnic cleansing. |
| He said the Rohingya had suffered "horrendous atrocities" and as a result the US was considering targeted sanctions against those responsible. | He said the Rohingya had suffered "horrendous atrocities" and as a result the US was considering targeted sanctions against those responsible. |
| In September, UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein also accused Myanmar of ethnic cleansing. | In September, UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein also accused Myanmar of ethnic cleansing. |
| Mr Tillerson's comments come days before a visit to Myanmar by the Pope. | Mr Tillerson's comments come days before a visit to Myanmar by the Pope. |
| The Rohingya are a stateless minority who have long experienced persecution in Myanmar. More than 600,000 have fled to Bangladesh since violence erupted in Rakhine state late in August. | The Rohingya are a stateless minority who have long experienced persecution in Myanmar. More than 600,000 have fled to Bangladesh since violence erupted in Rakhine state late in August. |
| "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," Mr Tillerson said in a statement. | "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," Mr Tillerson said in a statement. |
| A US delegation, led by Senator Jeff Merkley, recently returned from a visit to Myanmar and neighbouring Bangladesh. | A US delegation, led by Senator Jeff Merkley, recently returned from a visit to Myanmar and neighbouring Bangladesh. |
| Members of the delegation said they were disturbed by the reports of attacks on Rohingya, including the rape and murder of family members. | Members of the delegation said they were disturbed by the reports of attacks on Rohingya, including the rape and murder of family members. |
| The BBC has also heard numerous first-hand reports from refugees of killings, rape and even massacres. Inside Rakhine state itself, a BBC crew witnessed burned out homes and a village being set on fire. | The BBC has also heard numerous first-hand reports from refugees of killings, rape and even massacres. Inside Rakhine state itself, a BBC crew witnessed burned out homes and a village being set on fire. |
| Pope Francis is due to arrive in Myanmar on 26 November. His visit will include meetings with army chief General Min Aung Hlaing and the country's de-facto civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Vatican has said. | Pope Francis is due to arrive in Myanmar on 26 November. His visit will include meetings with army chief General Min Aung Hlaing and the country's de-facto civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Vatican has said. |