Myanmar Prez establishes four-member panel to investigate Rohingya abuses

Naypyidaw, August 1: The Myanmar government has formed a four-member 'independent' commission to investigate allegations of human rights violations in the Rakhine state following attacks on security forces’ check-posts in August last year.

 

The commission’s formation was disclosed in a press release posted on the website of the Myanmar president’s office on Monday.

According to the release, the Myanmar government established the commission as part of its national initiative to address reconciliation, peace, stability, and development in Rakhine.“The Independent Commission will investigate the allegations of human rights violations and related issues, following the terrorist attacks by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).”

However, its formation nearly one year after the military crackdown on innocent Rohingya people started has prompted human right activists in Myanmar and Rohingya Diasporas to rain down criticisms, questioning the commission’s credibility and accountability.

National and international legal and technical experts will assist the commission, according to the press release.

 

Since August 26 last year, more than 700,000 Rohingyas, mostly children and women, crossed into Bangladesh fleeing brutal persecution carried out by Myanmar security forces, and joined over 400,000 other Rohingyas who were already living squalid, cramped refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Several thousands of people from the ethnic minority Muslim group are also living, under terrible conditions, on the no man’s land between the two countries.

On the other side, the panel has been criticized by observers on Tuesday, as the country tries to stave off further censure over its treatment of its Rohingya Muslims.

The government announced Monday evening that an "independent" commission of inquiry had been established but gave no details about its remit, powers or the timeframe given to complete its report.