UN chief calls on Myanmar to end Rohingya violence

Risingbd Desk: The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned of the risk of ethnic cleasing in Myanmar as he appealed to the country's authorities to end violence against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state.

Nearly 125,000 Rohingya refugees - mostly women and children - have crossed the border to Bangladesh in the past 11 days, fleeing a security sweep by Myanmar forces who have been torching villages in response to alleged attacks by Rohingya fighters.

Since the latest round of violence began on August 25, at least 400 people have been killed in the ensuing clashes and a military counter-offensive. 

"The grievances and unresolved plight of the Rohingya have festered for far too long and are becoming an undeniable factor in regional destabilisation," Guterres told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

"The authorities in Myanmar must take determined action to put an end to this vicious cycle of violence and to provide security and assistance to all those in need," he added.

Guterres also urged the Security Council to press for calm, sending the 15-member body a rare letter saying that "the international community has a responsibility to undertake concerted efforts to prevent further escalation of the crisis."

Al Jazeera's James Bays, reporting from the UN's headquarters in New York, said: "There is a real concern from the UN about the humanitarian situation because of this human exodus and the sheer number of people crossing the border into Bangladesh."

The UN chief last week had urged restraint by the security forces to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe from the refugee exodus, but he stepped up the pressure on Tuesday.

The UN Security Council met last week to discuss the crisis, but there was no formal statement following the closed-door meeting.

"Following this letter by Guterres, we are are likely to see another meeting of the Council pretty soon," said Bays.

The UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, also voiced grave concern for the safety of Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh.

"Some reported that their family members were burned, or shot or slashed to death," said Duniya Khan, UNHCR spokeswoman.

"During their flight, many fled into the jungles or mountains, hiding and walking for days before they reached land or river and to cross the border."

She added: "Some of them also told us that they've been walking for three days, and they didn't have anything to eat, other than the rain water or the water on grounds."

Source: Al Jazeera



risingbd/Sept 6, 2017/Mukul