DHAKA: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Myanmar's military action against the minority Muslim Rohingya population constitutes ethnic cleansing, reports BBC.

He said the Rohingya had suffered "horrendous atrocities" and as a result the US was considering targeted sanctions against those responsible.

In September, UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein also accused Myanmar of ethnic cleansing.

Tillerson's comments come days before a visit to Myanmar by the Pope.

More than 620,000 Rohingyas have fled to neighboring Bangladesh since violence erupted in Rakhine state late in August.

"After a careful and thorough analysis of available facts, it is clear that the situation in northern Rakhine state constitutes ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya," Tillerson said in a statement.

These abuses by some among the Burmese military, security forces, and local vigilantes have caused tremendous suffering and forced hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children to flee their homes in Burma to seek refuge in Bangladesh," he said.

He said the US wanted an independent investigation into events in Rakhine state and targeted sanctions could follow.

"Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable," he added.

Tillerson's comments reflect a hardening US stance on Myanmar in recent days. On a one-day visit to the country last week he said Washington was "deeply concerned" by reports of widespread atrocities.

He urged the government and security forces to respect the human rights of all those within its borders.

However, Pope Francis is due to arrive in Myanmar on 26 November 26. His visit will include meetings with army chief General Min Aung Hlaing and the country's de-facto civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Vatican has said.

The pontiff will later travel to the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, where he will meet Rohingya refugees, said a Vatican spokesman.

BDST: 1046 HRS, NOVEMBER 23, 2017
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