Australia disturbed by Myanmar atrocities

Foreign Minister Marise Payne says Australia is deeply disturbed by the results of a UN fact-finding mission on Myanmar.

Rohingya children at a refugee camp in Bangladesh, one year after a brutal military crackdown forced them to flee Myanmar.

Rohingya children at a refugee camp in Bangladesh, one year after a brutal military crackdown forced them to flee Myanmar. Source: AAP

Australia is "deeply disturbed" by the findings of a UN report on Myanmar and is demanding the perpetrators of war crimes and genocide be held to account.

"Australia consistently has urged Myanmar to take action on human rights violations. We repeat our call for justice for those who have suffered," Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Wednesday.

"Perpetrators must be held to account. We will continue to work internationally to this end, including through our position on the Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly."

UN officials have released a preliminary report detailing instances of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide to have occurred in Rakhine State.

Senator Payne described the Rohingya crisis as the region's largest humanitarian emergency.

There are more than 900,000 displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh and another 530,000 in Rakhine State.

Australia has provided $70 million in humanitarian assistance to deliver emergency supplies to Rakhine State and food, water, shelter and healthcare to Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh.


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Source: AAP



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