The statement, published after a closed-door video conference, was signed by Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Tunisia, Britain and the United States. The signatories underlined their commitment to ensuring individuals from all communities, including Rohingya, were able to participate "safely, fully, and equally incredible and inclusive elections." They expressed concern about continuing clashes in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin States, calling for an "immediate cessation of hostilities." Since 2017, some 740,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar's military abuses and taken refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh, where they are crammed into huge camps. The crisis has led Burma to be accused of "genocide" before the International Court of Justice, the UN's highest judicial body.

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 12, 2020 03:56 UTC