Sunday, 28 October 2012

IGHR release reports of houses burnt in Burma

Satellite images show massive destruction in western Myanmar where violent clashes continue between Buddhists and ethnic Muslim Rohingyas.

The state government of Rakhine says at least 67 people have been killed and nearly 3,000 houses burned to the ground during a week of sectarian violence between majority Buddhist and minority Muslims.

The international group Human Rights Watch released on Friday satellite images of Muslim communities in the state.

Compared with images of the same areas taken in March, the new photos from Thursday reveal that many houses have been destroyed.

Based on eyewitness accounts, the group estimates that the death toll from the recent wave of violence could be much higher than the number announced by the state government.

Ethnic strife in Rakhine has escalated since May when a Buddhist woman was assaulted by a group of people believed to be Muslims.

Attention is now focused on how soon Myanmar's reformist government can contain the unrest as part of efforts to promote democracy and reconciliation.

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