The European Parliament (EP) has reiterated its call on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to impose a “global comprehensive arms embargo” on Myanmar.

It also called for suspending all direct and indirect supplies, sales or transfers of all weapons, munitions and other military and security equipment, as well as provision of training or other military or security assistance.

In its latest resolution, the EP urged the UNSC to adopt targeted individual sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against those who appear responsible for serious crimes under international law.

The resolution was adopted with 546 votes in favour, 12 against and 94 abstentions on Thursday (Sept 19) titled ‘Myanmar, notably the situation of the Rohingya’, reports UNB.

The Parliament also called upon Myanmar to recognise the Rohingyas among the 135 legally recognised Myanmar ethnic groups.

Myanmar does not recognise the Muslim-majority Rohingyas as citizens despite having lived in the country for generations. The Rohingyas are referred to as ‘Bangalis’ to imply that they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. State-sponsored discrimination against them stretches back decades.

The resolution commended efforts by the government and the people of Bangladesh to provide refuge to Rohingyas, reports UNB.

Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, is hosting more than 1.1 million Rohingyas. Most of them fled here from their homeland in Myanmar’s Rakhine State after the military launched a brutal offensive in late August 2017.