Myanmar Govt permits UN to probe Rohingya abuse

Agencies
September 13, 2018

Geneva, Sept 13: The Myanmar Government granted permission to the United Nations inspection teams to assess dozens villages and townships in the country's Rakhine State, that were home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims last year.

A total of four teams from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and UN Development Program (UNDP) will spend two weeks in the northern state where the Rohingya Muslims were allegedly murdered and subjected to imprisonment and sexual violence at the hands of the Myanmar military, CNN reported.

However, the country's military, who is known as the Tatmadaw, has repeatedly denied the mounting allegations.

According to UN spokesman Aoife McDonnell, the Myanmar government has given the UN teams to assess 23 individual villages and three other village wards at the weekend, while, the Inspectors began their initial work on Wednesday.

In June, the UN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Myanmar in which the government agreed "to create the conditions for safe, voluntary and sustainable return while fostering social cohesion," Al Jazeera quoted McDonnell as saying.

Around 70,000 Rohingya fled the country and settled into Bangladesh, where they have sought refuge. Many of those who crossed the border have recounted horrific stories of being evicted from their homes by the Myanmar army.

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Since 1946, the United States has attempted 93 coups or “regime change” operations across the world — including two in Iran, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack has admitted.

Speaking to the UAE-based IMI Media Group, in remarks published by The National, Barrack said Washington tried twice to overthrow the Iranian government but failed both times. 

“For (Trump) then to be imputed with regime change — we had two regime changes in Iran already. Neither one worked. So I think wisely leave it to the region to solve,” said Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey.

His comments come six months after the US joined Israel in airstrikes against Iran during ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

On June 13, Israel launched an attack on Iran that killed at least 1,064 people and hit civilian infrastructure. Days later, the United States targeted three nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in what Iran called a clear violation of international law. Iranian retaliation eventually forced a halt to the assault on June 24.

Barrack further claimed that US President Donald Trump and Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio are “not into regime change” and prefer a regional approach driven by Middle Eastern countries themselves. According to him, regional dialogue and non-interference by outside powers offer a more durable path forward.

He added that Washington is still open to an agreement with Tehran if Iranian authorities show “seriousness” and willingness to engage constructively.

However, Iran maintains the US has not shown readiness for meaningful talks. In an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations could advance only if Washington acknowledges Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and lifts unilateral sanctions.

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