UN concerned at Muslim-Buddhist clashes in Myanmar

Ethnic Rakhine men hold homemade weapons as they walk in front of a house that was burnt during fighting between Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya communities in Sittwe June 10, 2012. Photo: Reuters AP, United Nations

The UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution welcoming positive changes in Myanmar but expressing serious concern at an upsurge of sectarian violence between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine state.
The resolution adopted by the 193-member world body late Monday urges government action to improve the situation of the Rohingya Muslim minority "and to protect all their human rights, including their right to a nationality".
There is widespread resentment of the Rohingya community, whom many in Myanmar regard as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh out to steal their land.
The resolution noted substantial efforts by Myanmar's government towards political reform, democratisation, national reconciliation and improvements in human rights. But it said there were still "systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms."