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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US ROHINGYA GENOCIDE REACT (TV)
HEADLINE: US Designates Myanmar’s Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya as Genocide
TEASER: Some observers would like to see US and UN do more
PUBLISHED AT: 03/24/2022 at 5 pm
BYLINE: LAUREL BOWMAN
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Holly Franko, Jepsen
VIDEO SOURCE (S):
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:06
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
((WEB/TV INTRO))
[[This week, the United States designated the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya by the Myanmar military as genocide. It’s the eighth time since the Holocaust that the U.S. has said a genocide has occurred. Experts say it will further isolate the country’s ruling class internationally. VOA’s Laurel Bowman has more.]]
((NARRATOR))
More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar for refugee camps in Bangladesh since 2017, when the military launched a campaign to remove them from the country, also known as Burma. But the mostly Muslim ethnic group has been persecuted for years, by juntas and a democratically elected government alike.
This week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said "enough."
((Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State))
“The attack against Rohingya was widespread and systematic, which is crucial for reaching a determination of crimes against humanity. The evidence also points to a clear intent behind these mass atrocities … the intent to destroy Rohingya in whole or in part.”
((NARRATOR))
The genocide designation is intended to generate international pressure on Myanmar and could aid legal campaigns against its government. The government of Myanmar has categorically rejected the U.S. designation.
((Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State))
“We’ve also shared information with the Gambia in connection with the case it’s filed against Burma under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice for the atrocities committed against Rohingya.”
((NARRATOR))
Many experts laud the decision, saying it’s more than just talk.
((For radio only: Oumar Ba is an assistant professor of international relations at Cornell University.))
((Oumar Ba, Cornell University))
“Just using the word 'genocide' does have some political effect. It does help isolate the military regime in Myanmar.”
((NARRATOR))
But some experts said they would like to see more.
((For radio only: Phil Robertson is the deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch))
((Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch))
“We need to see the U.S. reaching out to other countries to get them to make similar determinations. We need to see action at the U.N. Security Council to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court, and we want to see an international arms embargo. This determination should serve as a springboard for renewed action to sanction Myanmar and to hold them accountable.”
((NARRATOR))
Previously, the U.S. has said genocides occurred against ethnic and often Muslim minorities in China, Bosnia, Rwanda, Iraq and Darfur, Sudan.
((Laurel Bowman, VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 25, 2022 04:17 EDT
BylineLAUREL BOWMAN
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
