Post date: Apr 02, 2013 2:47:48 PM
Human Rights Watch obtains before and after satellite images of Meikhtila, Myanmar showing extensive damage due to sectarian violence between Buddhists and Muslims.
SATELLITE IMAGES OF MEIKHTILA, MYANMAR (MARCH 21, 2013) (EUSI, DIGITALGLOBE AND ASTRIUM) - A New York-based human rights group released satellite images of Meikhtila, Myanmar on Monday (April 1) showing extensive damage to towns that were burned down during the sectarian clashes between Buddhists and Muslims last month.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling for the Burmese government to investigate the cases and find those responsible for the violence."We've seen time and time again the government reacting after the fact. Damningly in the case in Meikhtila, we saw the police essentially standing around as rioters were attacking mosques and Muslim communities, you know, where is the accountability? The message needs to be sent very clearly by the government that if you engage in violence, if you engage in inciting violence, you'll be held accountable and that you know there has to be a deterrence factor to help protect the rights of these communities," said Phil Robertson, the deputy director of Asia for HRW.
HRW analyzed the images estimating that 828 buildings, the vast majority being residential homes, were totally destroyed and at least 35 other buildings were partially destroyed. Areas with near total destruction were concentrated within three locations in Meikhtila measuring more than 24 hectares in total area west and northeast of the city's main market, according to HRW.
"The larger problem is these events are not being thoroughly investigated. They are not getting to the bottom of this situation and part of the result of that is there seems to be an impunity to abuse Muslims and their communities and this is why we're seeing flare ups of violence in other places in Burma," said Robertson in Bangkok.
Officially, 43 people died in the Buddhist-led violence, which erupted in Meikhtila town in the center of the country on March 20 and included the fire-bombing of mosques.
It spread to at least 15 other towns and villages until President Thein Sein ordered soldiers and police to crack down on the unrest.
Thousands were displaced and had to stay in temporary shelters.