Nov.7,2017--Photo taken on Nov. 6, 2017, shows a Security Council meeting on the situation in Myanmar, at the UN headquarters in New York. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

 

Nov.7,2017--The Security Council on Monday demanded an end to the "excessive use of military force" in Myanmar's Rakhine State and the creation of conditions for the safe return of refugees who have fled into neighboring Bangladesh.

 

"The Security Council calls upon the government of Myanmar to ensure no further excessive use of military force in Rakhine State, to restore civilian administration and apply the rule of law, and to take immediate steps ... to respect human rights, including the human rights of women, children, and persons belonging to vulnerable groups, without discrimination and regardless of ethnicity, religion, or citizenship status," reads a presidential statement of the council.

 

The council further called on the Myanmar government to take steps to prevent and respond to incidents of sexual violence.

 

It urged the Myanmar government to work with the Bangladeshi government and the United Nations to allow the voluntary, safe and dignified return of all refugees and further called on the Myanmar government to expedite the voluntary return of all internally displaced persons.

 

The Security Council condemned the attacks against Myanmar security forces carried out by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on Aug. 25 that triggered retribution, and "strongly condemned" the widespread violence that ensued, which has led to the mass displacement of more than 607,000 individuals, the vast majority belonging to the Rohingya community.