Rohingya herdsman killed, other found dead in Myanmar

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA

A Rohingya cattle herdsman was reportedly killed by a group of Buddhists and other was found dead in the western Rakhine state of Myanmar on Sunday.

Azizul Haque, 47, was killed by Buddhists without provocation at a river near the town of Kyauktaw in the northern part of the Rakhine state while he was taking care of the cattle, Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO) Chairman Nurul Islam told Anadolu Agency.

In addition, a 25-year-old Asauddin's body was found in a creek near the same town after he went to another village on Friday to buy medicine for his sick mother in the hospital, Islam stated.

"This kind of killing is a regular phenomenon in the Rakhine State with full impunity," Islam added.

Additionally, 15 cattle belonging to Rohingya Muslims were stolen on Sunday by police and people from the Rakhine state.

Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar’s state forces, according to the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).

More than 34,000 Rohingya were also thrown into fires, while over 114,000 others were beaten, the OIDA report said, adding that 17,718 (±780) Rohingya women and girls were raped by Myanmar’s army and police. Over 115,000 Rohingya houses were also burned down and 113,000 others vandalized, it added.

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

The UN has documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces. In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.