Report on Rakhine delayed

The commission released a statement saying it was unable to meet the deadline, even though the report was ready. It explained that the report had to be discussed with the Cabinet before it is submitted to President Thein Sein because it included information and recommendations that went beyond the boundaries of the Rakhine State. It said the information and recommendations were included to make the report more practical. 

The commission also said that the upcoming New Year water festival, Thingyan, was another reason for the delay. 

The commission has requested a meeting with the president, it said, adding that the report addresses long-term social and economic development needs of the people living in the state.

The agency was set up on August 17 last year by the President’s office with 27 members to investigate the deadly communal clashes that began in June last year.

Previously, the commission asked Thein Sein to extend the deadline for completing its final report to the end of March from November 16 last year.

Scores of people were killed and tens of thousands displaced, following clashes between Bengalis and ethnic Rakhines. More than 70,000 internally displaced persons continue to live in 50 refugee camps scattered over Sittwe, Kyauktaw and Maungdaw townships in the state, according to a United Nations report.