Amnesty International has called for an immediate arms embargo to end the transfer of all arms, munitions and related equipment to Myanmar.

The embargo must end both direct and indirect supply of equipment to Myanmar military, Amnesty stated.

The human rights organisation has asked the UN Security Council to take measures to end the military crimes against humanity and ongoing ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya civilian population in Myanmar.

Amnesty International Crisis Response director Tirana Hassan said: “The Myanmar military is forcibly displacing and killing Rohingya, a campaign of crimes against humanity that amounts to ethnic cleansing.

“The Myanmar military is forcibly displacing and killing Rohingya, a campaign of crimes against humanity that amounts to ethnic cleansing.”

“When they meet on Thursday, UN member states must ask themselves what side of history they want to be on and do everything they can do end this nightmare. Together, they do have the power to pressure Myanmar to end the violence.”



Additionally, the Security Council must ensure that training and other assistance to the Myanmar army ends.

Last month, the Myanmar military launched a brutal operation in Rakhine State in response to attacks carried out on dozens of security posts, killing at least 12 members of the security forces.

Amnesty has reported that Myanmar security forces have torched whole villages inside Rakhine state and opened fire on people trying to flee.

Hassan added: “This crisis is far from over, and there is no question that violations are continuing unabated inside Rakhine state. More than ever, the world needs to take a strong stand and push Myanmar and its security forces to end the horrors they are inflicting on the Rohingya population.

“We want the Security Council to issue a public statement condemning the atrocities in Rakhine state, while urging an end to violence and immediate and unfettered access for humanitarian aid groups.”