Rohingya: US condemns ‘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. In September, UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein also accused Myanmar of ethnic […]

 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.

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.

The Rohingya have long experienced persecution in Myanmar, also known as Burma. More than 600,000 have fled to Bangladesh since violence erupted in Rakhine state late in August.