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Senators Urge US Sanctions Over Myanmar 'Atrocities'


A woman makes her way to the shore as hundreds of Rohingya refugees arrive under the cover of darkness by wooden boats from Myanmar to Shah Porir Dwip, in Teknaf, near Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, Sept. 27, 2017.
A woman makes her way to the shore as hundreds of Rohingya refugees arrive under the cover of darkness by wooden boats from Myanmar to Shah Porir Dwip, in Teknaf, near Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, Sept. 27, 2017.

Members of Congress are sharpening their criticism of Myanmar's crackdown that has forced nearly a half-million Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh.

Republicans and Democrats want the Trump administration to consider sanctions against the perpetrators and to re-evaluate U.S. policy toward the Southeast Asian nation.

Twenty-one senators say in a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson there's a risk of genocide against the Rohingya, who've fled en masse after Myanmar security forces responded to insurgent attacks.

The senators say that response has been "extraordinarily disproportionate.''

They say those responsible should be held accountable under international law and U.S. law that allows the president to punish rights violators in foreign countries.

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