The interim report of a commission set up by the government in Myanmar and chaired by the country’s Vice-President has found no evidence of genocide against Rohingya Muslims.<br /><br /> Widespread allegations of abuse<br /><br /> Allegations of abuse against the Rohingya people, including torture, rape, arson and murder, have been circulating since the start of an army-led counter-insurgency campaign in October 2016.<br /><br /> UN said they received daily reports of killing & rape of #Rohingya People by Myanmar Armed Force in Rakhine State.pic.twitter.com/KGy7uOq2Sx— EU ROHINGYA COUNCIL (@the_erc) December 23, 2016<br /><br /> In one YouTube video in widespread circulation, police are seen beating unarmed villagers.<br /><br /> Aung San Suu Kyi’s office has confirmed the authenticity of the footage and said that action would be taken against the officers concerned.<br /><br /> Rakhine State<br /><br /> Rakhine State, which has long experienced violent instability, was e in October and November 2016 the site of a series of terrorist attacks against border and security forces, which left about a dozen dead.<br /><br /> It is home to the Rohingya Muslims, considered by many in Myanmar to be illegal immigrants, despite their presence in the state for many years.<br /><br /> International outcry<br /><br /> The army’s treatment of the local population has prompted international outcry, including from the UN and NGOs.<br /><br /> A group of Nobel peace prize holders wrote to Aung San Suu Kyi to demand a government investigation, and in response a commission was established.<br /><br /> Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had visited the region in September to investigate reported abuses there.<br /><br /> Interim report findings<br /><br /> The commission’s interim report finds insufficient evidence to support the claims of rape and arson, and makes no mention at all of the most serious allegations of murder.<br /><br /> It also finds no evidence in support of allegations of ethnic cleansing, on the basis that many Rohingya Muslims continue to live in Rakhine State with their religious buildings intact.<br /><br /> Meanwhile, Rohingya Muslims continue to flee to Bangladesh in tens of thousands.<br />
