UN chief: Myanmar's refugee crisis a ‘human rights nightmare’

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday urged Myanmar authorities to immediately end their military operations which have forced over 500,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee into Bangladesh.

He made the remarks at the UN Security Council in New York during its first public meeting on Myanmar in eight years.

"The reality on the ground demands action, swift action, to protect people, alleviate suffering, prevent further instability, address the roots of the situation and forge, at long last, a durable solution," he told the Security Council.

"The current crisis steadily deteriorated since the August 25 attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on the Myanmar security forces. I repeat my condemnation of those attacks today. Since then the situation has spiraled into the world's fastest developing refugee emergency and a humanitarian and human rights nightmare."

A Rohingya refugee carries two children in buckets as they arrive in Bangladesh at Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf on September 9, 2017, as they flee violence in neighboring Myanmar. /Xinhua Photo‍

The UN chief warned that the humanitarian crisis is a breeding ground for radicalism, criminals, and traffickers. He also called on the Security Council to stand united, and to support efforts in ending the tragic situation.

However, Myanmar National Security Adviser U Thaung Tun, told the meeting there was "no ethnic cleansing and no genocide in Myanmar." He also said the Myanmar government has invited the UN chief to visit the country.

Chinese deputy permanent representative to the UN Wu Haitao also condemned the recent violent attacks in Rakhine and called for patience with the situation.

"The question of Rakhine State is rooted in a nexus of complex historical, ethnic and religious factors. Many of the differences and antagonisms have been building up over a long time. There is no quick fix," Wu said.

The Chinese envoy said China supports Myanmar’s effort to keep its domestic situation stable and hopes the international community can view the challenges confronting Myanmar government "through objective optics," and exercise patience, and provide support and help.

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