US Releases Report on Rohingya Crisis đ

Mohammad Ponir Hossain / Reuters
Taking a closer look
The US State Department released a report on its probe of Myanmarâs military for atrocities against Rohingya Muslims. The investigation affirmed that military operations were intentionally âterrorizing...and driving out the Rohingya residents.â The report interviewed over a thousand refugees and revealed village burnings, sexual assaults, and mass murders.
A decades-long crisis
Rohingya Muslims have long been fleeing Myanmar due to ethnic cleansing. Myanmar, a Buddhist-majority nation, has refused to recognize the Rohingya minority, rendering them stateless. Myanmarâs senior officials have denied the crisis to be ethnic cleansing, justifying that these actions are to combat terrorism from Rohingya militants.
DENOUNCING THE REPORT:
Politico: U.S. steers clear of âgenocideâ label in quietly releasing report on Rohingya
ABC News: Trump administration declines to label Rohingya slaughter 'genocide' in new report
Those who denounce the report condemn the fact that it doesnât characterize the crisis as a 'genocide'. They note that labeling it a genocide would still require further interpretation of international law and no immediate action from the US. Furthermore, they question the Trump administrationâs hesitation given that they labeled ISISâs attacks on Christians as genocide.
COMMENDING US ACTION:
WSJ: U.S. Pledges Millions in Aid to Myanmarâs Rohingya as Calls for Action Get Louder
One America News Network: U.S. To Give $185 Million In Additional Aid To Rohingya In Myanmar
Those who commend US action applaud the administration for taking initiative on global human rights. They highlight that the administration doubled aid to the Rohingya and use it as evidence of their commitment to international diplomacy. Articles from this side also emphasize that the US findings are in line with those from an earlier UN report.
Is it a genocide?
According to the UNâs definition of genocide, the Rohingya crisis certainly fits. Canada is the most recent nation to acknowledge the crisis as a genocide. International pressure is now mounting on the US to follow suit. While the US has been proactive with the investigation and humanitarian aid, it should utilize the report to draft steps towards accountability and justice.
Rohingya: A global tragedy

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