Myanmar security forces instigate violence against Muslims: UNHCHR
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Navi Pillay speaks during a press conference in Islamabad on June 7, 2012.
Reports indicate that the initial swift response of the authorities to the communal violence may have turned into a crackdown targeting Muslims, in particular members of the Rohingya community."
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says Myanmar security forces are instigating violence in the country, calling for an investigation into the persecution of Muslims in the Asian state.
"We have been receiving a stream of reports from independent sources alleging discriminatory and arbitrary responses by security forces, and even their instigation of and involvement in clashes," Pillay said in a statement issued on Friday.
"Reports indicate that the initial swift response of the authorities to the communal violence may have turned into a crackdown targeting Muslims, in particular members of the Rohingya community," she added.
Reports say 650 Rohingya Muslims were killed as of June 28 alone during clashes in the western region of Rakhine. This is while 1,200 others are missing and 80,000 more have been displaced.
The government of Myanmar refuses to recognize Rohingyas, who it claims are not natives and classifies as illegal migrants, although the Rohingya are said to be Muslim descendants of Persian, Turkish, Bengali, and Pathan origin, who migrated to Myanmar as early as the 8th century.
The UN human rights chief reiterated that the invitation of UN investigator Tomas Ojea to Myanmar to observe the situation is "no substitute for a full-fledged independent investigation" into the Rakhine violence.
Pillay also highlighted the importance of giving a chance to suppressed and affected people to speak freely to the UN investigator to air their grievances.
Thousands of Rohingya Muslims are living in temporary accommodation after fleeing violence in the south Asian state.
Over the past two years, waves of ethnic Muslims have attempted to flee by boats in the face of systematic oppression by the Myanmar government.
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UN rights chief raises alarm at Myanmar Muslim crackdown | DAWN ...
1 day ago – ... in clashes," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a ... Muslims, in particular members of the Rohingya community." ...
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