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USA considering economic sanctions against Myanmar over Rohingya issue

By Amitava
|
Google Oneindia News

In what could be a major financial crackdown on Myanmar the United States is mulling economic sanctions against this Southeast Asian nation over the Rohingya issue.

It has just been a year that the US has lifted a decade long trade sanctions from Myanmar. Reinstating sanction would hit the economy of this developing country hard, feel analysts.

USA considering economic sanctions against Myanmar over Rohingya issue

In a statement released late on Monday, the U.S. State Department said it was considering "economic options" to target individuals associated with atrocities against the Rohingyas.

Washington is also "exploring accountability mechanisms available under U.S. law, including Global Magnitsky targeted sanctions," the State Department stated.

Incidentally The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act authorizes the administration to sanction foreign individuals for human rights violations and corruption.

This move comes on the heels of more than 40 lawmakers of the House of Representatives calling for stringent action against military leaders of Myanmar.

The USA had earlier lifted all trade sanctions from Myanmar in October 2016 with the return of civilian rule in 2015. However the military junta still exercises a strong grip on the Government led by Nobel Laureate Aung Sang Suu Kyi as defacto leader.

The USA is also consulting with allies on accountability options, the statement continues. Along with this, arms embargoes would also be effective, stated a recent note from Amnesty International.

The State Department has further stated that all units of the Myanmar security forces involved in Rakhine operations from participating in U.S. assistance programs.

Reinstating of economic sanction could create a major dent in Myanmar's newfound status as one of the most upcoming frontier markets.

The Rohingyas are an ethnic group, majority belonging to the Muslim faith, who have lived for centuries in Myanmar. Currently, there are about 1.1 million Rohingya who live in the predominantly Buddhist country.

The Rohingya speak the unique Ruaingga dialect but are not considered one of Myanmar's 135 official ethnic groups. They have been denied citizenship in Myanmar since 1982. This has rendered the Rohingya's stateless.

Nearly all of the Rohingyas in Myanmar live in the western coastal state of Rakhine in camps. Time and again there have been allegations of Myanmar embarking on ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya's which the country has denied.

Following an attack on the police posts and an army base in Myanmar on August 25 that left 12 officers dead, the Myanmar military has imposed a crackdown on the Rohingya population which they have dubbed a clearance operation against an insurgent terrorist group.

Due to ongoing violence and persecution, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighbouring countries either by land or boat.

India however has announced a different approach to the Rohingya crisis.

Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister, Government of India in a statement issued after a joint consultative committee meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh to discuss India- Bangladesh ties had stated "The only long term solution to the situation (Rohingya) in Rakhine State is rapid socio-economic and infrastructure development that would have a positive impact on all communities living in the State."

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