Before a house committee. This hearing will come to order. Before my opening statement, without objection, i would like to play a video from our friends at radio creation it highlights the scope and severity of the violence. If thats prepared, lets play that right now. While we are waiting for that, i see mrs. Mohamed ali and i wanted to thank her for her focus on this issue, and i appreciate her presence with us here today. Thank you. [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] so one of the reasons i thought we would show the video from radio creation is to make a point, there is very Little Information outside these types of coverage that are coming out from the outside world. More important, the burmese people themselves. In miramar there is no coverage of this information so people do not actually know what is happening. The generals that run the country have a different narrative and so theres very little recognition of the reality. In order to get that reality, it is very important that we get reporters in on the ground, that we get usaid into miramar, that we get the United Nations back into cover. As long as that presence is there, it is a check to these types of atrocities. With respect to our attention to this media moment where we can do something to halt mass killings than the situation right now, with respect to the plight of the inge, as pointed out, for generation after generation, they have been one of the most persecuted people in the world. Last week, for example, we heard testimony from two witnesses who had just returned from refugee camps in bangladesh. They told horrific stories and to have them here from a young mother, torn from her burning home, separated from her husband and three daughters, finding out later, seeing that the daughter daughters, that the husband had been brutally killed. Her story is just one of countless stories that we are now hearing about these refugees that are torn from their home, forced to flee under these horrible conditions. For decades now the burmese government has systematically suppressed people. In 1982 citizenship law denies rohingya burmese citizenship even though most have lived in that country for generation after generation. They been denied freedom of movement, they do not have access to education or healthcare, they have been marginalized by every level that the burmese government can marginalize them from, from top to bottom. They formally, someone who was a minister, i talked with him and he had had his citizenship stripped and could no longer run for office because he was deemed to be of rohingya blood. This is the reality these people face in terms of not being able to even speak up for themselves. Recently weve seen the horrors of this decadesold persecution, and there is a fringe group, a fringe militant group that has carried out attacks and thus sparked a new round on top of the old that we saw over the past few years, directed at the rohingya. Now you have an estimated 507,000 rohingya that have been driven from their home. Most of those have been forced to cross over the border into bangladesh. Hundreds have been killed. We dont have journalists able to cover the story. They are denied access to the area so im sure its more than the reported number. 200 villages have been burned to the ground paired landmines have been placed inside burmas border with bangladesh so that is some seeking safe haven, its Little Wonder that the human rights chief called this a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. Bangladesh deserves credit, and i talked again with the bangladesh ambassador the other day. They deserve credit for opening their borders to this influx of refugees. The government, i know will honor its promise in bangladesh to build shelter for new arrivals and to provide medical services. In response to this crisis, the Trump Administration announced it would provide 32 million in humanitarian assistance and 20 million is going to bangladesh right now. The remainder is supposed to go to burma and that is most welcomed. The state counselor, she is a nobel prize winner, but she must make it a top priority to provide for the safety of those in burma including the rohingya. This is a dialogue ipad with her for a number of years on the subject and the International Community is pressing her as well. We know the military government is calling the shots, but we expect everybody who has access to a microphone inside me and more miramar to tell people the reality of whats going on in the country , and that includes her. We know they are not hearing it from their media, but they have to hear it from other sources, and thats why i appreciate radio free agent broadcasting this information. Her recent question asking why the rohingya were fleeing and the government had clearance operations, that is false. That is exactly what the military is doing there. As i made clear when i wrote her a month ago, her government and the military have a responsibility to protect all of the people of burma regardless of their ethnic background or religious beliefs. Those responsible for these atrocities must face justice. She and the military general must rise to this challenge. This is ethnic cleansing. The protection of human rights has been our nations top priority in burma, including freeing the hostages. Today that must include also the Muslim Rohingya people. This is a moral issue and it is a National Security issue. No one is more secure when extremism and instability is growing in this part of the world. I look forward to hearing from the administration on how it is using the tools we have two and this humanitarian crisis and i turned to our Ranking Member for a statement. Thank you very much. Thank you for calling this hearing. I welcome you all to the Foreign Affairs committee. The crisis is reaching more than 8000 miles from washington. At that distance events like this can seem remote. During my statement i asked that we display some images that show the reality facing the people of burma right now and as a reminder of the human tragedy unfolding as we sit here today. These images are the results of the unprecedented level of balance in burma over the past six weeks. Violence between the groups and because of the bawdy conflict, more than half a million rohingya, half of children, have fled the border into bangladesh. More than 400,000 people left within the first 30 days. The swiftest exit since the 1994 rwanda crisis. Many dont have adequate shelter or safe drinking water. Its a humanitarian disaster and it is getting worse. The Burmese Military has claimed that the crackdown is a response to something that took place on august 25 in which Border Security forces faced off against insurgents using knives, small arms and small explosives. This isnt just some skirmish that has gotten out of hand. The Burmese Military and Border Security forces have specifically targeted rohingya using medieval tactics. Slash and burn, rape, indiscriminate killing. 21 square kilometers burned to the ground. The uns top human rights officials have called this a textbook case of ethnic cleansing. Flareup is not an isolated even event. The history in which they have been denied citizenship, the ability to work, freedom of movement, a few key burmese leaders have figured prominently in two recent events. The only person in burma who could put an end to this violence, clear the way for humanitarian aid and allow for full accounting of what occurred is the commanderinchief of the Burmese Military. Unfortunately the intention of the military is clear, to remove the rohingya people from burma. There is speculation that the leader is not either getting Accurate Information or severely constrain clinically. Some assert she is unsympathetic to the event, but i personally have a hard time believing that a champion of democracy and a person of her moral fortitude has come here and would turn a blind eye to the immense human suffering taking place in her country. I think american policy toward burma is complicated the situation. The Burmese Military drafted the constitution which allows the military to operate with impunity, maintain power in the parliament and take control over the government, and yet when the United States lifted economic sanctions against burma, we also lifted sanctions against the military. So while theres little leverage to rein in military forces that iran amok, its now illegal for American Company to do business with Burmese Military owned companies. It seems to me in a time of the Burmese Military is waging the violence against innocent people and we should reconsider our policy on targeted sanctions. In the meantime, we need to declare this humanitarian crisi crisis. The United States has allocated 38 million to assist with the crisis. That number seems grossly inadequate considering the scale of the nightmare now facing the government of bangladesh. This is in addition to the rohingya still trapped inside burma. Have an average income of around 1300 and they are currently supporting nearly a million refugees. This is a company that has close to the highest population density in the world. I want to recognize bangladesh ambassador who is here today. Your government has shown tremendous generosity and welcoming these refugees. Thank you. While your country opens its doors, i consider it an embarrassment to the United States closing hours. The Trump Administration has lowered our cap from all over the world to 45000. Year. The smallest number ever as this crisis grows worse, as it grew worse, bangladesh took in that many people every four days. This policy harms leadership on the global stage and undermines our ability to speak credibly about refugee, human rights or living up to basic humanitarian principles. It diminishes our standing in a part of the world where china is only too happy to fill the void. I do want to hear what our approach is and how the administration plans to deal with the crisis facing not just the rohingya but other ethnic groups under assault by the burmese army. How this violence improves the Peace Process and under in mind the elected government. I look forward to your testimony and thank you again. I yield back. Thank you. We are joined by distinguish panel. We have mr. Patrick murphy who serves as the Deputy Assistant secretary for Southeast Asia. Previously he served as special representative for burma among other senior positions. We have the ambassador with us, the deputy secretary in the bureau of migration at the state department. Previously, he served in multiple positions including serving as the deputy chief in brussels. We have kate who serves as the acting deputy secretary for humanitarian assistance at usaid. She has served in a variety of senior positions where she has focused on rule of law and on human rights issues. Without objection, the witnesses for prepared statements will be made part of the record. Members will have five calendar days to submit any statements for any questions they have for the witnesses or any other material for the record. If you would, mr. Murphy, i ask you to summarize your remarks. German rice, Ranking Members, distinguish members of the committee, we greatly appreciate the invitation to testify on the devastating human tragedy in burma state and the suffering of Ethnic Rohingya and other populations. I first want to think this committee for its leadership on burma and for the bipartisan collaboration with successive administrations over several decades working on burma. Over the past six weeks, militant attacks on Security Forces and on local residents, a disproportionate military response, vigilante violence, and the lack of civilian protection have aggravated longstanding challenges. The Current Crisis had led to the desperate fight of half a million refugees and displaced others internally. This massive and Unprecedented Movement has worsened the humanitarian situation in bangladesh were many refugees already shelter. This administration is undertaking all efforts to end the suffering immediately. We have made clear to the civilian and military officials that they must take urgent action and steps to stop the violence, respect the rule of law, pave the path for safe return and hold accountable those responsible for abuses. There are continuing reports of violence, including civilians participating in arson attacks and blocking humanitarian assistance. Those who have fled must be allowed to return to their homes. The state counselor has stated they will allow their return and we are incurring closer communication. The two sides met this weekend formed the joint committee to discuss repatriation. We must ensure that humanitarian aid reaches people in need. My colleagues will speak to this but on the diplomatic front we are working to overcome security challenges and local resistance that have precluded many agencies from reaching effective areas. We are also pressing for unfettered media access so we can all learn in greater detail what is happening. President trump has discussed the situation with leaders from Southeast Asia. Secretary tillerson called on them to urge action. Vice president pens denounced the response. Ambassador haley called it the Security Council for an international role. This crisis has implications far beyond the state. The democracy is at a turning point in a heavyhanded response invites International Terrorists and challenges for other neighborhoods. We are thus engaging to address humanitarian needs and actions to stop the violence. I was in burma myself two weeks ago. The ambassador and i met with top government officials. Authorities committed to protect civilians and cooperate. The situation on the ground, nonetheless, remains grim. We must pursue all efforts to see full implementation of these commitments. I also visited rick kind state and met with members of the displaced community they condemn the Violent Attacks on Security Forces. I called on local officials. Under a government elected in 2015 for the people of burma, there are efforts on longstanding challenges. Once such efforts are the establishment of the Advisory Commission which produced. [inaudible] the government committed to implementing those recommendations. The u. S. Government is forming an overarching policy response to further advance the democratization processes so desperately needed in burma and especially in re kind states. We will not do this alone. We are consulting with the region. The United Nations, the Human Rights Council and those inside burma to ensure dignity for all. They have expose the fragility that we in congress have worked so hard to help achieve. The governing complexities}that no single actor can resolve this crisis. The national and local governments, Security Forces, Community Leaders and indeed all people of burma have responsible these. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, we are strongly engaged to bring an end to the suffering. And to find lasting solutions. We look to congress as an essential partner and we thank you to describe what we are doing to address the situation. Chairman royce, distinguish members of the committee, thank you for inviting this to this important hearing. I am grateful for the opportunity to update you on how the u. S. Government is targeting lifesaving aid and on the challenges ahead. They continue to demonstrate formidable populations and cause families, mostly women and children to flee their homes for their lives. In terms of magnitude and speed, this is one of the most dramatic humanitarian emergencies to occur in decades. I will briefly comment on the current humanitarian situation facing those affected by the crisis, discuss the challenges the International Committee faces in delivering humanitarian assistance, and, on what the state department is doing to address the situation. The attacks on august 25 and the continuing violence resulted in approximately 200,000 internally displaced inside burma and prompted half a Million People to flee to bangladesh, bringing the total number of rohingya in bangladesh to over 100 Million People. The chairman and the Ranking Member have both noted that the biggest problem is access in burma. Gaining access to those in need. The civilian government has committed, publicly and privately, to provide humanitarian assistance to all humanities in affected areas through the Red Cross Movement. The movement has stressed to the burmese government that it will not be able to fully meet humanitarian needs and that un agencies and International Government organizations will also require operational space. We take every opportunity to emphasize to the officials at all levels of the government the need to allow humanitarian assistance to those in need. This week they met with burmese officials, executive Committee Meetings in geneva to express our profound concern. In all our contact, we continue to press the government and the military both publicly and privately to prot