Human Rights Watch urges Myanmar to stop violence against Muslims

The Human Rights Watch has called on Myanmar’s government to adopt effective measures aimed at putting an end to attacks against the Rohingya Muslims in the Asian country.

In a statement released on Monday, the New York-based human rights group said security forces stood by and allowed deadly violence and arson attacks against Muslims to continue for days. The New York-based rights group then called on Naypyidaw to investigate the issue and bring to justice those responsible for violence in the central city of Meiktila between March 20 and 22.

More than 40 people were killed in the chaos and 12,000 others were driven from their homes in the spate of violence.

The Human Rights Watch also released satellite photos, showing the destruction of entire neighborhoods in recent riots.

The group’s analysis said the destruction affected more than 24 hectares (59 acres) and destroyed at least 828 buildings, mostly homes.

The Human Rights Watch also urged the Myanmarese government to end its discrimination and take action to protect the Rohingya Muslim population against communal violence.

Hundreds of Rohingyas are believed to have been killed and thousands displaced in attacks by extremists who call themselves Buddhists.

Rohingyas are said to be Muslim descendants of Persian, Turkish, Bengali, and Pathan origin, who migrated to Myanmar as early as the 8th century.