US position on Rohingya crisis
The US Secretary of State's comment that whatever is happening to the Rohingyas in Myanmar is not "ethnic cleansing," despite mounting evidence to the contrary, is surprising. His views, we're constrained to say, echo Myanmar's official position in this regard, and contradict earlier reports that the US may recognise the crisis as ethnic cleansing and follow it up with punitive measures including sanctions on the country.
Mr Tillerson has called for an "independent inquiry" into the situation in Rakhine, although independent agencies, including the UN and the US' own Holocaust Memorial Museum, and traditional US allies including France and the UK, have already given their verdict. The US must understand that its latest position will only reinforce Myanmar's sense of impunity.
The fact is, more than 615,000 Rohingya refugees have fled the country since late August, and the number is rising with each passing day. There must be very compelling reasons for them to leave their own country and seek refuge in Bangladesh. And that is what must be addressed.
It doesn't really matter how the US chooses to characterise the crisis. What's important is that instead of waiting for a "credible probe" to confirm that there is indeed a systemic plan to empty Rakhine State of Rohingyas, the US, as the most powerful country in the world, should help to ameliorate their present condition. Nearly a million Rohingya refugees are living in Bangladesh now, which is putting a tremendous strain on Bangladesh. So, the US should use its influence to persuade Myanmar to end the violence immediately, to take back the Rohingyas immediately, and ensure that they are provided with all the security they deserve as citizens of that country.
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