The embassies made the comment in a joint statement issued in response to violence at Du Chee Yar Tan village in Maungdaw Township on January 13.

The embassies were “deeply saddened” by reports of the incident, in which they said several people had been killed and hundreds of civilians displaced in violence that included looting and destruction of homes and property in the village.

“We are particularly disturbed by reports that security forces used excessive means and thus perpetrated some of the violence,” the joint statement said.

“We strongly condemn such acts of violence, which negatively impact all inhabitants of Rakhine State,” it said.

“We urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the violence, whether civilian or security personnel.”

The statement said the incident reaffirmed the need for the Union government and local authorities to take urgent, concrete steps to address security, rule of law, justice, humanitarian access and reconciliation in Rakhine State “to stem the sources of ongoing tension, and create conditions for the State’s sustainable peace and development.

“Government actions to date have clearly been insufficient,” it said.

“The international community repeats its calls for the government to take swift and decisive action to address the underlying causes of conflict and pursue durable solutions.

“This includes creating an inclusive dialogue among all residents, securing an environment for displaced people to return to their homes, ensuring humanitarian access and enabling a path to citizenship for eligible Muslim residents of Rakhine State.”

The statement said the embassies continue to call on religious and civil society leaders, “and all citizens throughout the country, to stand against violence between Buddhist and Muslim communities, and to promote understanding, mutual respect, equal justice and peaceful co-existence among all people in this diverse country.”