Does Myanmar violence amount to human rights crimes?

Myanmar stands accused by rights groups of ethnic cleansing and human rights violations after violence broke out in the northwestern state of Rakhine. The following are questions and answers on the violence:

Who is responsible for the violence in Myanmar?

The military says it is protecting Myanmar against attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which it has labelled a terrorist group and accuses of killings and destruction in Rakhine state. Human rights monitors and fleeing Rohingya say the army and ethnic Rakhine Buddhist vigilantes have mounted a campaign of arson aimed at driving out the Rohingya Muslims. Rights groups say an independent investigation is required to determine possible abuses or violations by various parties.

Does the violence and exodus amount to ethnic cleansing?

Yes, according to United Nations officials and rights groups. Top UN officials have said the violence in Myanmar is a case of “textbook ethnic cleansing”. Myanmar has denied this.

What does the discovery of landmines mean?

Human rights groups have accused Myanmar of laying anti-personnel mines along the border with Bangladesh to prevent Rohingya refugees from returning to Rakhine state. Because the crisis is not currently defined as a war, this cannot be considered a war crime, according to experts. But it would violate other international human rights laws, even though Myanmar is not party to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty.

Who should be held accountable?

In international law, an individual can be held criminally responsible for when a state or military commits war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Many believe the government and the military should be held responsible. “Myanmar is systematically violating the rights of the Rohingya ... and both the government and the military now need to suffer serious consequences for this,” said Phil Robertson, deputy director for Asia at Human Rights Watch.