Amnesty International has criticised Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the issue of Rohingyas, alleging it has "failed" the refugees.

ASEAN's only response to the crisis so far has been a bland statement – almost a month after the atrocities in Rakhine – expressing "concern" about the situation, and failing to even mention the word "Rohingya", Amnesty said in a statement today.

"ASEAN is failing to take a stand as one of its member states carries out a violent campaign of ethnic cleansing," said James Gomez, Amnesty International's Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

"Governments in the region must uphold the commitments to human rights enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, commitments which Myanmar's military is showing clear contempt for as they perpetrate crimes against humanity against the Rohingya," said James Gomez.