News / Asia

Burma Forms Commission to Probe Sectarian Violence

Rohingya men are seen among houses set on fire during fighting between Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya communities in Sittwe, Burma, June 10, 2012.
Rohingya men are seen among houses set on fire during fighting between Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya communities in Sittwe, Burma, June 10, 2012.
TEXT SIZE - +
VOA News
Burma has formed a commission to investigate deadly sectarian violence in western Rakhine state between Buddhists and the Muslim Rohingya minority in which dozens of people were killed and tens of thousands were displaced.

The state New Light of Myanmar newspaper said Saturday that the 27-member commission is mandated to find the circumstances behind the unrest and find solutions for communities with different religious beliefs to live together in harmony.

Burmese authorities say 87 people have been killed since late May when riots and retaliatory attacks erupted after three Muslim men were blamed for the rape and murder of a Buddhist woman.

The 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Burma is a member, pledged Saturday to lend necessary support in addressing humanitarian assistance needed in Rakhine State.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

You May Like

Controversies Threaten to Derail Obama Agenda

Obama may be on verge of joining long list of predecessors who ran into severe political problems in their second terms in office More

Video Syrian Strife Spilling Over, Infecting Region

Neighbors reeling from fallout and spillover - a point driven home by two car bombs in southern Turkey, leaving more than 40 dead More

Citizen Scientists Map Global Emissions

Power plants account for more than 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions More