BANGKOK – Amnesty International has warned Myanmar that the
actions of its military may constitute crimes against humanity, based on
accounts of violence against the country’s Muslim Rohingya minority.
Myanmar has come under heavy criticism for its army’s
forceful treatment of the Rohingya. International human rights groups accuse
the military of mass murder, looting and rape.
The military started assaults on the Rohingya population on
the pretext of the ‘Clearance Operation’ after Oct. 9 attack on police outposts
in Arakan (Rakhine) state that killed nine officers.
Though Amnesty says the scope of violence is unclear, they
are voicing concern over the indiscriminate targeting of Rohingya civilians.
Amnesty’s report follows increasing concerns that state repression is
radicalizing the Rohingya.
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi will brief fellow members of
the Association of Southeast Asians Nations at a meeting today in Yangon.
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