Myanmar authorities accused of ethnic cleansing
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Myanmar authorities were complicit in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya Muslim minority group last year, Human Rights Watch alleged Monday.
In a report based on interviews with victims and witnesses of sectarian fighting in Rakhine state, the organisation documented the role of authorities, Buddhist groups and Rakhine communities in attacks on Rohingyas and other Muslims that left at least 211 dead and displaced 125,000 people.
"The Burmese government engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya that continues today through the denial of aid and restrictions on movement," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
President Thein Sein's office rejected the report as one-sided and questioned why Human Rights Watch had released it on Monday, "whenthe EU is considering lifting their sanctions on Myanmar." "The government does not care for the report's findings and will only take action based on the report of the Independent Investigation Team on Rakhine violence," spokesman Ye Htut said.
The government's investigation is due to be completed Tuesday.//DPA
