Myanmar sets up military court to probe violence against Rohingya minority hinh anh 1Rohingya refugees move to Kutupalong, Ukhia, Bangladesh (Source: VNA)
 
Hanoi (VNA) – The army of Myanmar has said it had set up a military court to investigate its conduct during a crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017 that forced hundreds of thousands to flee to Bangladesh.

The court comprises a major general and two colonels, and it will investigate events in the western state of Rakhine in August 2017, according to a statement posted on the website of the army’s commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The court is to respond to allegations made by the United Nations and rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accusing security forces of mass killings, rape and arson.

In August 2017, Myanmar forces launched their offensive in Rakhine State in response to a series of attacks by Rohingya insurgents on security posts near the Bangladesh border.

According to the UN, 720,000 Rohingya in Rakhine state fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since then.

In May 2018, Myanmar decided to set up an independent inquiry commission to probe human rights violations that occurred during the crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine.

The commission was part of a national initiative to address reconciliation, peace, stability and development in Rakhine.-VNA
VNA