WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“The Myanmar security forces’ massacre and systematic expulsion of Rohingya constitute a shocking and tragic failure to safeguard human life.

“While these gross human rights abuses are being perpetrated by security forces over which the civilian government has limited control, sadly, Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government has squandered opportunity after opportunity to address the systematic injustices faced by Rohingya in Rakine state, including by restricting access for United Nations or international NGOs, failing to change discriminatory policies that exacerbate tensions, and declining to speak out against atrocities committed by security officials.

“I urge the Myanmar government to address the situation in Rakine state by immediately ceasing military action against civilians, prioritizing assistance for those who have been displaced, and respecting the rights of the Rohyinga people.”

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