"Ethnic cleansing" is a term for genocide denial.

To the editor:

The NY Times story (August 9) on Myanmar's elections used the term "ethnic cleansing" three times to refer to Myanmar's crimes against the Rohingya.

"Ethnic cleansing" is a euphemism invented by Slodoban Milosevič to deny genocide.

No treaty or international convention outlaws "ethnic cleansing."

"Ethnic cleansing" usually means "deportation or forcible transfer of population," which is outlawed by Article 7(1)(d) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Both "forcible deportation" and "genocide" are internationally outlawed crimes.

Perpetrators of these crimes can be prosecuted.

When "ethnic cleansing" is used by diplomats, UN officials, or journalists, it is used to avoid using the proper legal terms, "forcible deportation" or "genocide."

"Ethnic cleansing" is a term for genocide denial.

The term "ethnic cleansing" should be expunged from the vocabulary of international law and journalism.

Sincerely,