House passes resolution pressuring Burmese government to end genocide

The House on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the government of Burma to end the persecution of religious minorities.

Passed by voice vote, the measure would pressure Burma to end massacres on minority Muslims. Allegations that Rohingya Muslims were attacked by Buddhists earlier this year have drawn international outrage.

{mosads}”The Burmese government needs to recognize the Rohingya as an ethnic group. The situation is dire and rapidly deteriorating,” said bill sponsor Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.).

The resolution would further condemn the Burmese government for forcing Rohingya Muslims to relocate into relief camps.

“Let’s all send a message that the current state of human rights in Burma is unacceptable,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.).