U.N. rights envoy visits Myanmar amid border violence, report of abuse

U.N. human rights envoy Yanghee Lee has arrived in Myanmar on a 12-day visit amid growing concern about reports of abuse of members of the Rohingya Muslim minority in a government security crackdown.

Attackers killed nine police officers on Oct. 9 in a coordinated assault on posts near Myanmar's border with Bangladesh. Authorities say members of the Rohingya minority carried out the attacks and launched a security sweep.

Since then, at least 86 people have been killed and the United Nations says about 34,000 civilians have fled across the border to Bangladesh.

Residents and refugees accuse the military of killing, raping and arbitrarily detaining civilians while burning villages in northwestern Rakhine State.

The government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi denies the accusations and insists a lawful counter-insurgency operation is underway. (Courtesy of reuters.com)

Malaysia’s ‘Food Flotilla’ Plans to go Ahead Despite Burma Govt Plea

A Malaysian organization plans to proceed with its controversial Arakan State “food flotilla” later this month despite a plea from Burma’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Malaysian Embassy to block the shipment, organizers confirmed on Monday.

“There is no question about cancelation, no issue at all,” Malaysia Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) spokesperson Wan Nordin told The Irrawaddy, adding that the group had communicated with the Malaysian authorities but was waiting a reply.

The food flotilla is scheduled to leave Malaysia on Jan. 31. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)