UN urges Bangladesh to keep doors open to Rohingya

By Michael Hernandez</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – The UN on Friday urged Bangladesh to continue to allow Rohingya fleeing persecution in neighboring Myanmar entry into the country. </p> <p>Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Shahidul Haque informed the Security Council on Thursday that the country could not cope with additional refugees, accusing Myanmar of &quot;making empty promises&quot; about the return to the country of those who fled to Bangladesh. </p> <p>UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the international body's New York headquarters that it is vital Dhaka continue to allow refugees into the country.</p> <p>&quot;Bangladesh has been amazingly generous in the support they have given the Rohingya refugees,&quot; Dujarric said. &quot;It is important that people fleeing conflict are able to find safe haven wherever they go.&quot;</p> <p>According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community beginning in August 2017.</p> <p>Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar’s state forces, according to a report by the Canada-based Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).</p> <p>Some 18,000 Rohingya women and girls were raped by Myanmar’s army and police and over 115,000 Rohingya homes were burned down and 113,000 others vandalized, it added.</p> <p>The UN has documented mass gang rapes, killings — including of infants and young children — brutal beatings and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces.</p> <p>In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.