The U.S. Department of State announced today the conclusion of its investigation on the crimes committed against the Rohingya in Rakhine State. In response, Francisco Bencosme, advocacy manager for Asia-Pacific at Amnesty International USA issued this statement:
Â
“While it is important that the State Department undertook this initiative, the report failed to make a legal determination of crimes against humanity. This represents a significant missed opportunity on a crucial human rights issue and sends a worrying message about how the United States plans to address crimes under international law moving forward.Â
Â
“Ultimately, the United States’ words mean nothing if it fails to pursue genuine accountability for victims and their families.
Â
“The administration should support efforts at the United Nations to establish an independent investigation to preserve evidence and build criminal cases for prosecutions. It should also support — and not impede — a United Nations Security Council referral of the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court.”