UN voices concern for Muslims in Myanmar

UNITED NATIONS - The Associated Press

Muslim refugees walk as police stand watching at relief camp in Myanmar.

The U.N. 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 Dec. 24 urges government action to improve the situation of the Rohingya Muslims “and to protect all their human rights, including their right to a nationality.”

The resolution noted substantial efforts by Myanmar’s government towards political reform, democratization, national reconciliation and improvements in human rights. But it said there were still “systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”