US congress slams Myanmar over abuses of Rohingya

By Associated Press

May 09, 2014

WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has called on Myanmar to end persecution of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities, in the stiffest congressional criticism yet of the nation’s reformist government.

The House approved the resolution late Wednesday after debating the plight of the 140,000 Rohingyas displaced during clashes with majority Buddhists in western Myanmar.

Lawmakers of both parties were strongly critical of the Myanmar government.

Republican Rep. Ed Royce accused Myanmar of systematically denying the Rohingya basic of human rights, while subjecting them to “unspeakable abuses.”

Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern said Rohingya were now dying of preventable causes because severe restrictions and attacks had forced humanitarian groups out of the region.

The resolution does not sanction Myanmar, which denies discriminating against Muslims.

Meanwhile, Myanmar deported an Australian journalist working for the news website Democratic Voice of Burma Thursday after he covered a demonstration calling for press freedom, as concerns grow about media rights in the former junta-run nation.

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