GENEVA, Switzerland, June 12 (UPI) -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Tuesday urged the Bangladesh government to allow Myanmar refugees fleeing sectarian violence to enter Bangladesh.
The BBC reported 17 people have been killed in Rakhine state in western Myanmar.
Bdnews24.com reported Bangladesh border guards had denied entry into the country to at least six boats filled with Myanmar refugees.
Bangladesh Home Minister Shamsul Hoque Tuku said law enforcement officials and border guards were on alert to stop refugees from Myanmar from entering Bangladesh.
He said those who had already entered Bangladesh were being given emergency assistance, including medical attention.
Refugees have tried to flee Myanmar after fighting erupted between majority Rakhine Buddhists and minority Rohingya Muslims.
Tuku said Bangladesh had already been struggling to deal with 25,000 Rohingya refugees who have entered the country in the past two decades. Bdnews24.com reported any of them live in poor conditions at refugee camps.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for a dialogue in Myanmar among Muslim, Buddhist and other communities, including ethnic Rohingya.
"The United States continues to be deeply concerned about reports of ongoing ethnic and sectarian violence in western [Myanmar's] Rakhine state and urges all parties to exercise restraint and immediately halt all attacks," Clinton said in a statement.
She noted the Myanmar government had announced a state of emergency and curfews in Rakhine state, but said reports of violence continue.
"The situation in Rakhine state underscores the critical need for mutual respect among all ethnic and religious groups and for serious efforts to achieve national reconciliation in [Myanmar]," Clinton said. "We urge the people of [Myanmar] to work together toward a peaceful, prosperous and democratic country that respects the rights of all its diverse peoples."
Myanmar has received praise in the international community for political reforms after decades of military rule.
