Asia

Vice President Pence Confronts Myanmar's Leader About Rohingya Crisis

He also criticized the country's imprisonment of two journalists and emphasized the importance of "a free and independent press."

Vice President Pence Confronts Myanmar's Leader About Rohingya Crisis
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U.S. Vice President Mike Pence called out Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday over her country's persecution of Rohingya Muslims as well as the jailing of two journalists investigating the issue.

Pence met up with Suu Kyi in Singapore during the semi-annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. It was during a meeting on the sidelines that the vice president confronted Myanmar's leader over the Rohingya conflict.

Pence also brought up Myanmar's imprisonment of two Reuters journalists in September, saying it was "deeply troubling to millions of Americans." He added that he looked forward to speaking with Suu Kyi more about the importance of "a free and independent press."

Suu Kyi responded that "people have different points of view" and that Myanmar welcomes "all friends" to help make the country "a more prosperous place."

Suu Kyi has received a lot of criticism and even accusations of genocide over her government's treatment of the Rohingya people.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in October to begin repatriating the Rohingya back to Myanmar this month. But the U.N. human rights chief warned Bangladesh's government Tuesday to hold off on the plan, as the situation in Myanmar wasn't safe yet for the Rohingya to return.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.