'Human rights nightmare' in Myanmar could spread, UN chief warns

United Nations Secretary General AntonioGuterresis urging Myanmar's authorities toimmediately end military operations that have sent half a millionRohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh.

Guterrestold the UNSecurity Council Thursday that the violence hadspiralledinto the "world's fastest developing refugee emergency,a humanitarian and human rights nightmare."

"We have received bone-chilling accounts from those who fled mainly women, children and the elderly," he said. "These testimonials point to excessive violence and serious violationsof human rights, including indiscriminate firing of weapons, theuse of landmines against civilians, and sexual violence."

Guterressaidthe humanitarian crisis is a breedingground for radicalization, criminals and traffickers.

He toldthe Security Council that Myanmar must also allow"unfettered access" for humanitarian aid and ensure the return ofall those who sought refuge in Bangladesh.

It's estimated more than 500,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled inthe past month since insurgents attacked security posts near theborder, triggering fierce Myanmar military retaliation that theUnited Nations has previously branded ethnic cleansing.

Three boats carrying refugees capsized Thursday, killing 15 people, including several children, the UN International Organization for Migration said.

Breeding ground for 'radicalization'

"The failure to address this systematic violence couldresult in a spillover into central Rakhine, where an additional 250,000 Muslims could potentially face displacement," Guterressaid.

"The crisis has generated multiple implications forneighbouring states and the larger region, including the risk ofinter-communal strife. We should not be surprised if decades ofdiscrimination and double standards in treatment of the Rohingyacreate openings for radicalization," he said.

U.S. Ambassadorto the UNNikki Haley called oncountries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar until the military puts sufficientaccountability measures in place something human rights groups have been urging.

"We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmeseauthorities what they appear to be:a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority," Haleytold the UNSecurity Council.

Human Rights Watch and 86 other non-governmental organizations, including several Canadian groups, urged the UN to take immediate action.

"As more evidence emerges, it is clear that the atrocities committed by Myanmar state security forces amount to crimes against humanity," the coalition said in a statement.

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It'scalling for the UN General Assembly to consider an arms embargoagainst the Myanmar military and targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for crimes and serious abuses.

The organizations said it was not enough for UN members to "hold meetings and make speeches as atrocities continue."

International aid groups inMyanmarreleased a joint statement callingforfree access toRakhine State, where they said their work has been hampered by theMyanmargovernment.

An unknown number of people are internally displaced, whilehundreds of thousands lack food, shelter and medical services,said the groups, including Care International, Oxfam and Savethe Children.

They said they were "increasingly concerned about severe restrictions onhumanitarian access and impediments to the delivery ofcritically needed humanitarian assistance throughout RakhineState."

Guterres invited to visit

Myanmar rejects accusations of ethnic cleansing and crimesagainst humanity, but leader Aung SanSuu Kyi has faced scathing criticism and calls for her Nobel Prize to be withdrawn.

In an address last week, she denounced rights abuses and expressed concern about the suffering. She also said any refugees verified as coming from Myanmar would be allowed toreturn.

Myanmar national security adviser Thaung Tun said at theUNThursday there was no ethnic cleansing orgenocide happening in Myanmar. He told the Security Council thatMyanmar had invitedGuterres tovisit. A UNofficial said Guterreswould consider visitingMyanmar under the right conditions.

China and Russia both expressed support for the Myanmargovernment.

Thaungsaidthe crisis in Rakhinestate"is due to terrorism and is not based on religion," and urged theSecurity Council not to take measures that would exacerbate the situation.

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