US criticises China for shielding Mynamar from UN action over Rohingya crisis
Nikki Haley attacks ’cynical and self-interested’ attempts to water down Security Council statement about ongoing conflict that forced 700,000 to flee
The United States has indirectly criticised China for shielding Myanmar from strong UN Security Council action over a military crackdown against Rohingya Muslims that the US and other countries have denounced as ethnic cleansing.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley did not mention China by name, but China proposed substantial amendments to a British-drafted Security Council statement on Myanmar last week. The 15-member council eventually agreed a weaker statement.
The Security Council met on Monday night to discuss a visit by envoys to Myanmar and Bangladesh two weeks ago.
Rohingya insurgent attacks on security posts in Myanmar’s Rakhine state in August last year sparked a military operation that sent nearly 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to camps in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.
“Some members of the council have kept us from taking action for cynical and self-interested reasons,” Haley said.