State linked to Myanmar unrest, says UN
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar's human rights said he had received reports of "state involvement" in some of the recent violence between Buddhists and Muslims in the former army-ruled nation.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar's human rights said he had received reports of "state involvement" in some of the recent violence between Buddhists and Muslims in the former army-ruled nation.
At least 40 people have been killed and mosques burned in several towns in central Myanmar since fresh sectarian strife erupted on March 20, prompting the government to impose emergency rule and curfews in some areas.
"I have received reports of state involvement in some of the acts of violence," Tomas Ojea Quintana said.
The military, police and other civilian law enforcement forces have been standing by while atrocities have been committed before their very eyes, including by well organised ultra-nationalist Buddhist mobs
He also pointed to "instances where the military, police and other civilian law enforcement forces have been standing by while atrocities have been committed before their very eyes, including by well organised ultra-nationalist Buddhist mobs".
"This may indicate direct involvement by some sections of the state or implicit collusion and support for such actions."
Quintana also said he received information indicating that the military and police may be arbitrarily detaining people based on religious and ethnic profiling.
"The military and police must now be held to account for human rights violations committed against ethnic and religious minorities," he said.
