Chicago, IL.: Burma Task Force on Tuesday welcomed UN Security Council resolution 13055, condemning Myanmar in strong terms for widespread violence that has displaced over 600,000 Rohingya forced to flee to Bangladesh. In addition, Resolution 13055 calls on Myanmar to abide by its obligations and commitments to human rights, implement the Kofi Annan Commission’s recommendations and provide full access to relief agencies.

The resolution is significant in that it is the first on Myanmar after a 10-year silence, and required the support of China to pass, whereas previously China had blocked efforts to censure and hold Myanmar to account. The Bangladeshi ambassador’s efforts at the UN also represent a sustained effort to remain engaged and not allow the atrocities against the Rohingya to be forgotten or sidelined as has happened in the past.

Imam Malik Mujahid, Chair of Burma Task Force, commenting on the resolution noted that it didn’t go far enough. He said: “The resolution is a good first step, and welcome after a lapse of 10 years during which the Rohingya have continued to suffer. However, as a world community we need to go from mere condemnation of Myanmar to actual implementation of a mechanism to urgently end the genocide against the Rohingya.”

Based in downtown Chicago, Burma Task Force is a coalition of 19 American and Canadian Muslim organizations dedicated to ending the suffering of Myanmar’s Rohingya.