EP calls on Myanmar military to end all atrocities against Rohingya

BRUSSELS, Dec 14 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament adopted Thursday a resolution reiterating its call on the military and security forces in Myanmar to immediately cease the killings, harassment and destruction of the homes of the Rohingyas.
Since August 2017, more than 646 000 Rohingya have fled for safety to neighbouring Bangladesh. The total number of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is expected to exceed 1 million by the end of 2017, said the resolution adopted by show of hands.
Referring to the memorandum of understanding agreed between Myanmar and Bangladesh on repatriation, it urged the parties to fully respect the voluntary, safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to their places of origin without discrimination of any kind, and with full UN oversight.
It also urged the Myanmar regime government to condemn unequivocally all incitement to racial or religious hatred and combat social discrimination and hostilities against the Muslim Rohingya minority.
The EP called on the Myanmar regime to work with international aid agencies, the EU and the UN to allow immediate, unhindered humanitarian access to Rakhine State and end the segregation of the Rohingya population.
The resolution called on the EU and its member states, as a matter of urgency, to adopt targeted punitive sanctions against individuals responsible for perpetuating widespread human rights abuses in Myanmar, and extend the scope of the existing EU arms embargo against Myanmar.
It urged the EU High Represenbtative Federica Mogherini to significantly increase pressure on the Myanmar authorities and security services to end the violence and discrimination perpetrated against the Rohingya people.
It deplored the failure of the UN Security Council to agree on decisive measures and calls for the EU and its Member States to step up pressure on those blocking meaningful action, including China and Russia. (end) nk.mt