Leaders of both houses of the United States have started putting pressure on Myanmar and its de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, though President Donald Trump remained silent over the violence in Rakhine State that has compelled over 270,000 Rohingyas to take shelter in Bangladesh.

Powerful Republican Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in his strongly worded letter to Suu Kyi said she has the responsibility to protect the civilians from the “atrocities” and end the violence.

On the other hand, a bipartisan resolution was jointly introduced on Thursday in the US Senate by Senators Dick Durbin (Democrat – Illinois) and John McCain (Republican – Arizona). It “condemns the violence and displacement inflicted on Burma’s Rohingya civilians and calls for an immediate halt to all hostilities by Burmese authorities”.

Chairman Royce in the letter wrote: “Your government and the military have a responsibility to protect all of the people of Myanmar, regardless of their ethnic background or religious beliefs.”

Donald Trump. Reuters File Photo

“These atrocities, the latest and most severe against this minority group, must end. Those responsible, regardless of their affiliation with the government or the military, must face justice.

“I urge your government and the military to end the violence against the Rohingya, allow unfettered humanitarian assistance into Rakhine State, and provide access for journalists.”