KEIGHLEY'S MP has tabled an early day motion to the House of Commons condemning the murder of Muslim civilians in Burma.

John Grogan was responding to the most recent wave of violence in the Rakhine State of Burma – also known as Myanmar – which has resulted in tens of thousands of ethnic Rohingya Muslims fleeing over the border into Bangladesh.

The motion tabled by Mr Grogan states: “This House expresses its deep concern at recent developments in Myanmar, condemns the murderous attacks by militants against Burmese border posts but also the completely disproportionate response of the Burmese military against the Rohingyas, who the UN consider are the most persecuted minority group in the world.

"Further, this house condemns the brutal assaults from the Burmese state and military over many years, burning down Rohingya villages and carrying out multiple murders and rapes, calls on de facto Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a holder of the UN Peace Prize to speak out for the human rights of the Rohingyas and to allow access for aid agencies and journalists to affected areas.

"This house further calls on the international community to condemn Myanmar's army chief General Min Aung Hlaing, gather evidence for possible war crimes charges against him and his generals, and to impose strong sanctions against them.”

Keighley town councillor Fulzar Ahmed said he had contacted the assistant high commissioner for Bangladesh, based in Manchester, about the same crisis.

He said Bangladesh, which has been reluctant to accommodate fleeing Rohingya, must open its borders to these people and ensure they receive emergency aid.

"This is a humanitarian tragedy happening on Bangladesh's doorstep, and I want Bangladesh to put pressure on the Burmese Government to stop this hostility," he added.

"But the whole international community should be taking responsibility, and must not remain silent."