The Untied States stated that immediate action must be taken against Burmese military leaders, whose actions displaced over 500,000 Rohingya muslims forcing them to flee to Bangladesh.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, accused Myanmar's authorities of carrying out "a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority". "The time for well-meaning, diplomatic words in this council has passed," she added, during a meeting with the UN Security Council. 

Haley's comments come after boat carrying hundreds of refugees capsized due to dangerous waters. The Security Council held its first public meeting yesterday on Myanmar since 2009, although reports suggest it failed to arrive at a resolution. 

The UN's International Organisation for Migration stated around 130 people were believed to have been on board. Bangladesh police said there were 27 survivors, 19 dead, and more than 50 missing.

"We must now consider action against Burmese security forces who are implicated in abuses and stoking hatred among their fellow citizens," stated Haley, in the first time the United States called for punishing Myanmar's military leaders. 

However, Haley made no statements on potential U.S. sanctions on Myanmar, which had been lifted under the Obama administration.