The UN’s top human rights official says the leader of Myanmar has promised to investigate allegations of atrocities against Rohingya Muslims.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> What did the investigation find?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Security forces and police have committed mass killings, gang rapes and have burned entire villages in northern Rakhine state, it is claimed.<br /><br /> Testimonies point to a “persecution on ethnic grounds which is similar to what has been, in other contexts, described as ‘ethnic cleansing’,” UN mission leader Linnea Arvidsson told reporters in Geneva.<br /><br /> The report was published on Friday.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> What has Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> “I did speak to Aung San Suu Kyi about an hour and a half ago,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said, also in Geneva.<br /><br /> “I called upon her to use every means available to exert pressure on the military and the security services to end this operation.”<br /><br /> “She informed me that an investigation will be launched. She said that they would require further <br />information.”<br /><br /> Zeid said the perpetrators of such “horrors” must be held to acount.<br /><br /> Possible avenues would be the establishment of an international commission of inquiry or the involvement of the International Criminal Court.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Has there been a response from Myanmar?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Yes.<br /><br /> Presidential spokesperson Zaw Htay said: “These are extremely serious allegations and we are deeply concerned.”<br /><br /> “We will be immediately investigating these allegations through the investigation commission, led by Vice-President U Myint Swe.”<br /><br /> “Where there is clear evidence of abuses and violations, we will take all necessary action.”<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Aung San Suu Kyi<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Many Rohingya were reportedly hoping that Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, would work to restore their rights.<br /><br /> Her civilian administration took power in March last year.<br /><br /> “I am not going to go now into the extent to which she should have done more or less,” Zeid said. <br /><br /> “There should be some responsibility.”<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> How has the situation come about?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Myanmar, a mostly Buddhist country, has previously denied almost all allegations of human rights abuses against Muslims in northern Rakhine.<br /><br /> It says a lawful counter-insurgency campaign is underway.<br /><br /> Myanmar’s security forces launched a crackdown in the north of Rakhine State on the border with Bangladesh.<br /><br /> Nine police officers had been killed in attacks on border posts the government blamed on Rohingya, supported by foreign militants.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Has anyone been killed?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Yes.<br /><br /> At least 86 have died.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Crimes against humanity?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> The plight of the stateless Rohingya, one million of whom live in apartheid-like conditions in Rakhine, has long been a source of friction between Myanmar and Bangladesh.<br /><br /> An estimated 69,000 Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since the unrest began on October 9.<br /><br /> The UN report was based on accounts gathered in January from 220 Rohingya.<br /><br /> Witnesses testified to:<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> “the killing of babies,
