‘Myanmar military must be held accountable’

Visiting US ambassador at large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback on Thursday said the Myanmar military and other authorities must be held accountable for the 'horrific and organised violence' against Rohingyas, reports UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at American Centre in Dhaka, he also said the US will take additional actions against Myanmar since their investigations into the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya religious minority are moving forward.

The US diplomat said their country will continue to focus on the issue with great importance. "We're also in discussion about what additional action should take place...the investigation is moving forward, and I think you'll find additional action in the days to come."

Brownback arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday on a two-day official visit and interacted with a group of Rohingya people in Cox's Bazar apart from his discussions on religious freedom with government officials, civil society representatives and others concerned.

"Talking to the Rohingyas it gives me an impression that it's tragic, horrific and it's wrong, and should not be allowed to continue," he told reporters.

Brownback also said the perpetrators of such a level of atrocities should not get away. "The Myanmar military and other authorities must be accountable for the horrific, terrible and organised violence against Rohingyas."

Narrating his interactions with some Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar, the US diplomat said every day to whom he talked about their plights witnessed their close family members were either stabbed or killed. "Every one of them was randomly selected. This is a crisis made by the Myanmar military for the cause of religion."

"One child said she saw both of her grandparents were shot and dead. It's a horrible form of violence," he observed.

Brownback said the US is deeply concerned over the Rohingya crisis as it is the secretary of state has already described the persecution on Rohingyas by Myanmar as ethnic cleansing.

About the reason behind his tour, the US ambassador at large said Rohingya problem is a big crisis to their country as it believes strongly the human rights and religious freedom. "The ethnic cleansing of religious minority is taking place in Myanmar. We think what happening is really wrong. People should not be leaving their country in such huge amount unless something wrong is happening enormously."