Myanmar's government should invite the United Nations to participate in a thorough and impartial investigation into deadly attacks on police and subsequent allegations of human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims in northern Rakhine State, Human Rights Watch said Oct. 28.
"The Burmese government should ensure a credible inquiry into the Oct. 9 violence by inviting U.N. human rights experts to take part," said Brad Adams, Asia director for the New York-based rights body. "Rakhine State's ethnic divide is perhaps Burma's biggest fault line. The government's handling of this inquiry is a big test for preventing future violence against the Rohingya and other populations," Adams said via statement.
Gunmen attacked three police outposts in Maungdaw township near the Bangladesh border, reportedly leaving nine police officers dead on Oct. 9.
The Burmese government maintains the attack was carried out by a Rohingya group, but who was actually responsible is unclear. The media and local rights groups have reported numerous human rights abuses against Rohingya following the attack, including extrajudicial killings, rape, torture, arbitrary arrests, and burning of homes.
"Promptly establishing an unbiased and independent commission that has the mandate to investigate all alleged abuses is an essential first step," Adams said.