Risch, Menendez Statement on U.S. Genocide Designation for Burma

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the Biden Administration formally declared the Burmese military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya Muslim population:

“Today, the Biden Administration confirmed what has been clear for many years: the Burmese military’s campaign of systematic attacks, killing, and rape against the Rohingya population constitutes genocide. Nearly five years ago, the Tatmadaw violently sought to terrorize, drive out, and exterminate the Rohingya in northern Rakhine state, and it is long since time to recognize these crimes for what they are. Formal recognition is not only an important step toward accountability for the perpetrators of these crimes, but an opportunity to spur further global pressure on the Burmese military that now holds power and is committing atrocities against the entire population of Burma.

“We stand in solidarity with the Rohingya in Burma and the nearly 900,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. We urge the administration, and the international community, to continue to do more to hold the military junta accountable, redouble efforts to restore democracy, and bring about a genuine national reconciliation to Burma.” 

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