State to permit officials testified us relations before the Senate ForeignRelations Committee focusing on mistreatment of the Muslim Minority population and the resulting refugee crisis in neighboring bangladesh. This is about an hour and a half. Foreign Relations Committee will come to order. I want to thank each of you for being here. We thank you. Timely. In 2009 the Obama Administration shifted the direction of us farm a policy taking a leap of faith that an approach combining engagement and pressure would help usher in democratic reform or sanctions alone had failed. Many were skeptical of such a shift the 2010 elections provided an opportunity to test the credibility of a more proactive engagement approach. In the ensuing years the United States worked to balance engagement with military junta in the democratic grassroots movement. Undoubtably this engagement strategy had a positive effect on the trajectory of their democratic reforms including the 2015 election that brought the democratic opposition to power. While the money 15 election was historic, bar must democratic transition has been a work in progress. Along with its complex ethnic and cultural hiss history the Burmese Military controls key ministries in large swaths of the economy which is why there was concern in 2016 when the Obama Administration unilaterally rolled back most of the restrictions on Us Engagement with burma. A year into this new policy the question is was this too soon. The burmese economy remains weak with projected flows of Us Investment not materializing and human rights regulations are enticed, structural reform has not progressed and progress is stagnant. In recent weeks weve witnessed the appalling images of atrocities committed by the Burmese Military against the rohingya minority. Hundreds of many women and children systematically killed, hundreds of thousands of people fled as their homes a burn. We continue to hear the truly heartbreaking accounts of human suffering. International frustration and the burmese governments failure to protect against such atrocities given decades of hope the state department the fact a leader. Of cores, our First Priority must remain humanitarian situations including half a million men women and children who fled to bangladesh. Also think we should not shy away from an honest assessment of the direction of us policy towards burma. Last year i raised concerns about her governments treatment of the rohingya, one of the most vulnerable populations to human traffickers around the world and i publicly shared my shock and dismay at her dismissiveness of these concerns and an attitude she has maintained even in the face of an bolding humanitarian crisis amounting international criticism. Her failure to acknowledge the seemingly Systematic Campaign of brutality about a Burmese Military continues to undermine the civilian government and vermis democratic transition as a whole. The United States should not abandon burma took however, it may be time for a policy adjustment. Hope to have a candid conversation today about the trajectory of current us policy towards burma including the World Congress can play an encouraging democratic reform and addressing humanitarian efforts. Want to thank you again for being here. Want to take i think its mark lees birthday today, is that right . Yes, mr. Chairman. I can tell you were not paying attention to my Opening Statement and i want to know i understand you are getting ready to go to burma . We hope to put that together and i would like to invite all the members of the committee to join us. Distinguish Ranking Member . To senator merkley, first of all happy birthday and you really note where to go decelerating birthday. We appreciate your willingness to take that trip. Mr. Chairman, thank you so much for holding this hearing. Now its a burma. Another country thats committing ethnic cleansing. Another country under the watch of the International Community that is allowed to perpetrate an atrocity. Make no mistake about it atrocities are taking place in burma. We have humanitarian crisis. We have perpetrators who expect immunity and theres no reason to doubt that in fact that may in fact occur. This is ethnic cleansing i know that the administration is evaluating that as we hold this hearing. Ethnic cleansing is defined by the United Nations commission on experts rendering an area by using force or intimidation to remove persons of given groups from an area. Half of the population of the rohingyas in burma have left. 600,000 now, 1. 2 million theres been a systematic burning of their villages. This didnt just starts. Its been a campaign thats gone on for a long time, since 1982 even though they have been residents for generations. They are denied freedom of movement, freedom of education, healthcare. This has been a systematic efforts to destroy an Ethnic Community and once again, we see this happening and once again the expectation is, well, its our way and we will just let it go along. We got to the outraged about whats happening. We need to see an International Community come together and say, no, we will not let this continue. That we will hold those accountable that are responsible, that we will provide the humanitarian need immediately, that we will stop this type of conduct in civilized society. It cannot occur. Yes, i think its genocide i know there will be some discussion about whether its genocide are not. Deliberately inflicting on the Group Conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. Thats whats happening. They are trying to destroy the population. People arguing intent. What else are they doing it for other than the purity of their country . And their lack of tolerance for a minority population. For decades the burmese government has oppressed the routine got people. That the fact and they had deliberately failed to integrate the population into the general population. As the commissioner of human rights correctly stated the decades of persistence and systematic Human Rights Violations have almost certainly contributed to the nurturing of violent extremism with everyone ultimately losing. They complained about extremism, they are creating it. In my opinion we are witnessing a military sponsored Ethnic Cleansing Campaign on the rohingya and it will take significant engagement from the International Community at the highest level in partnership with the burmese civilian government to address and hold perpetrators accountable for these horrific acts. Unfortunately, the rohingya price crisis is not the only challenge burma faces. The Burmese Military continues to hold significant influence of politics in the economy. The Peace Process was sought to end the longstanding civil war the country has stalled. There are reports of human rights issues such as human trafficking, free speech infringement and political repression the chairman is correct, the state counselor was here. Shes an impressive person, but she is not taking on the challenge. Shes not responding to the crisis in her own country. The military controls burma today. Thats unacceptable and thats why we imposed sanctions because of the military control. Sanction relief was given for what . So people can be ethnically cleansed it . I grew the chairman. We need to not only reevaluate, we need to have a policy with regards to burma that we understand that addresses these Human Rights Violations, that reevaluates our position as far as having normal relations with burma and the release of our sanctions. The president will be attending the summit shortly. Will he be mentioning the burma human rights is a top priority during this trip . I certainly hope so. Mr. Chairman, i do want to complement the Bangladesh Government for keeping the borders open. Its been one bright spot, but there is the humanitarian crisis of the refugees in bangladesh and we all have to respond to, so im looking forward to hearing from our witnesses. I think each of them. They all have very distinguished records and i have great confidence in their expertise on the subject , but i do notice when the subject is important as this it would be nice to have at least one witness that was confirmed by the senate that it brings that degree of importance from the administration on this subject. Lastly, i would ask consent that numerous statements from and ngos about the situation be made part of the record. Without objection and thank you for your strong Opening Statement you werent i were together and Vice President bidens home and he was very adamant that the country is dismissive of this whole group of people. Especially on the trafficking issue which i remember you brought up. No reality at all. First witness is mr. Patrick Murphy Deputy assistant secretary for the bureau east asian and the department of state. Cut thank you for your service. Second witness is mr. Mark estrella Deputy Assistant secretary for the bureau of population refugee, migration at the department of state. Thank you for your service. Third witness in this kates theory kate theory. That was the prettiest smile. I did that correctly. Acting Deputy Assistant administrator for the bureau of democracy, conflict and humanitarian assistance at the agency for international development. Thank you for your service. If each of you could summarize in about five minutes. From a decades long struggle to defy authoritarian rule and to transition to democratic society. However, a devastating american crisis has exacerbated the suffering of ethnic and other populations and threatened this otherwise peaceful transition. As do other longstanding challenges that the elected government authority, sibling authority inherited a mere 16 months ago. Although the new government is committed to ending complex and approving the prospects for all the diverse populations of burma, todays hearing illuminates the fragility of this democratic transition. On august 25, militant attacks on Burmese Security forces and subsequent violence and massive displacement locations by the militaries disproportionate response have created a crisis that demands our undivided attention. Our efforts seek to end the violence comes about the displaced and the return home, thin accountability for atrocities, and address the real conditions that sparked this post recent colossal Population Movement of over 600,000 people to bangladesh and 700,000 internally. President trump has discussed the situation with other leaders to secretary tillerson called state counselor to reaffirm support for the emerging democracy and to urge action on this crisis. Vice president pence denounced the militaries heavyhanded response at the u. N. , where Ambassador Haley called for an International Role in ending the violence. Our ambassador in burma has engaged government and military leaders i visited in burma since the start of this crisis including we kind state and met with government and military figures and displaced populations. We have consulted with many countries including their neighbors. Our collective message to burma stakeholders is clear, and the violence, protect civilians, expansion managing immediate access, hold of those guilty accountable, repatriate safely those of the lead, and cooperate with the International Community. Community. Weve also encourage collaboration between, and bangladesh, and burma is coronation with u. N. Agencies to overcome mistrust and missed opportunities for international help. Although the crisis persists our engagement is yielding some results. On october 12, they laid out goals for repatriation and humanitarian assistance, resettlement, and peace and equipment. We are engaging with her government to implement its commitment to reach these goals. Burma recently sent a senior official the bangladesh to discuss return of refugees to burma, and more senior contact is scheduled this week. A top u. N. Official visit burma last week to address the human response to the humanitarian and human rights aspects of the crisis. I travel to singapore, thailand and vietnam, other senior u. S. Official engaged across the region, Building Support for constructive diplomatic engagement. We welcome the decision to activate its own humanitarian assistance mechanism for we kind state. As we engage burmese stakeholders and others, we know a prerequisite to repatriation is assurances of security. Accordingly, the department of state has identified and announced new and ongoing actions to pursue accountability for those of committed violence. Including among other measures, suspending travel waivers for military leaders, assessing authorities to consider economic options available to target individuals, associated with atrocities. Finding that all units and officers involved in operations in northern we kind state are pursuant to the law and eligible for use assistant programs. Rescinding invitations for Burmese Security leaders to attend u. S. Sponsored events, maintaining an embargo on military sales, consulting on accountability options at the u. N. , the Human Rights Council and other venues. Pressing for access for the Factfinding Mission and exploring accountability mechanisms under u. S. Law, including global magnets targeted sanctions. Our immediate efforts must focus on the crisis failed to address the longterm causes instability and we kind state will only result in a future reply of this tragedy. It is best cushion we support burma and implementing the recommendations of the rekind Advisory Commission led by former u. N. Secretary kofi annan to a desk under development, shortcomings and services, access to justice and a citizenship process for all people in rekind state. An emerging democracy of 54 Million People burma is located between china and india, the country success is important to us. To burmas diverse populations and to the region. Burmas longerterm viability depends on civilian control over the armed forces and other reforms to end violence and the potential for International Terrorism. The very ingredients of say with the Current Crisis and other ongoing conflicts. We must also find ways to support those courageous voices within government and society who seek a better future. In doing so we look to partner with congress on burma as we done across successive administrations for decades. Mr. Chairman, we think this committee for its leadership and bipartisanship collaboration. Thank you. Thank you very much. Mr. Storella. Chairman corker, Ranking Member cardin, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for inviting us to this important hearing im grateful for the opportunity to update you on have used government is targeting lifesaving humanitarian assistance and on the challenges we face ahead. The violence in rekind state continues to devastate vulnerable populations within burma and cause families, most women and children, to flee for their lives. The attack on august 25 auguste violent reaction of that profit more than 6000 people to flee bangladesh brings the total number of rohingya in bangladesh to roughly 1 Million People, and forced for the displacement inside the state itself. The magnitude and speed of this displacement make it one of the most dramatic you managing crises in decades. In burma, our number one human urgent priority is getting access to those in need in rekind state. They have committed publicly bradley to provide humectant assistance to all communities and effective areas to the red cross movement. The movement at stress to the burmese government that it will not be able to fully meet communique needs of the u. N. Agencies and International Organizations and nongovernmental organizations will also need operational space. We and the size of all opportunities to burmese officials at all levels of government the requirement to allow you managing assistance to reach those in need. We continue to press the government and the military both publicly and privately to in the violence, to protect the security of all communities, and to allow Rohingya Refugees to voluntarily returned to their home after burmese authorities ensure they can do so safely. We greatly appreciate the government for opening its doors to those fling the violence, many of whom arrived after walking for days in need of food, water, shelter and medical care. The monsoon season has exacerbated the situation as flooding has made a delivery even more challenging. In every meeting with bangladesh officials, we thank them for a long refugees to cross into bangladesh and we urge them to uphold humanitarian principles while balancing their own security concerns. In addition to our diplomatic engagement the United States is provided you managing assistance through our u. N. And