- Title: Myanmar rejects allegations of human rights abuses against Rohingya
- Date: 6th August 2017
- Summary: PICTURES OF VICTIMS' BODIES PEOPLE STANDING NEAR BOARD WITH PICTURES OF INCIDENTS IN MAUNGDAW (area where Rohingya Muslims live)
- Embargoed: 20th August 2017 18:00
- Keywords: human rights abuses in Myanmar Rohingya militants United Nations report on Myanmar
- Location: YANGON, MYANMAR
- City: YANGON, MYANMAR
- Country: Myanmar
- Topics: Government/Politics,United Nations
- Reuters ID: LVA0026T0PPAD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES
Myanmar on Sunday (August 6) rejected allegations of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during a crackdown against Rohingya Muslims last year, accusing the United Nations of making exaggerated claims in its report on the issue.
Rohingya militants killed nine border guards in October last year, sparking a response in which the army was accused of raping Rohingya women, shooting villagers on sight and burning down homes, sending an estimated 75,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters gathered in Yangon to conclude the 8-month-long probe, former head of military intelligence and now Vice President, Myint Swe said the U.N. report exaggerated the claims and created misunderstanding for the international community.
Myanmar's own 13-member investigation team, led by Swe, has been dismissed by human rights monitors as lacking independence to produce a credible report.
A U.N. report in February said security forces instigated a campaign that "very likely" amounted to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing. This led to the establishment of a U.N. probe which is being blocked by Myanmar. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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