UN fears at least 1,000 Rohingya Muslims slayed in Myanmar
Officials concerned that outside world does not appreciate severity of crisis

Two senior United Nations officials have reported that more than 1,000 Rohingya Muslims may have been killed in a Myanmar army crackdown – far worse than the number previously thought.
What is happening in Rakhine?
Around 70,000 Rohingya have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh in recent months following an army crackdown north of Rakhine state, reports The Guardian. Myanmar's army began clearance operations of Rohingya from northern Rakhine during searches for insurgents thought to have masterminded deadly raids on police border posts in October. Violence, including gang rapes and mass murders, against the group is said to be so severe that it "could amount to crimes against humanity", says the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What have UN officials said?
Two officials from separate UN agencies based in Bangladesh have spoken out amid concern that there is a lack of international understanding about the severity of the crisis. Both say that evidence collected from refugees over the past four months suggests that the death toll is likely to have exceeded 1,000.
"The talk until now has been of hundreds of deaths. This is probably an underestimation – we could be looking at thousands," said one of the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.
What is the President saying?
A spokesman for President Htin Kyaw disputed the UN reports, claiming that his military commanders believe fewer than 100 people have been killed in the counterinsurgency operation, but added: "We have to check on the ground."
"The government led by Aung San Suu Kyi said last week it would investigate the allegations in the report. It has previously denied almost all accusations of killings, rapes and arson," says The Guardian. "But mounting evidence of atrocities by the army puts Suu Kyi, who has no control over the armed forces under a constitution written by the previous military government, in a difficult position."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'"Andor" examines all sides of how empires operate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Harvard sues Trump over frozen grant money
Speed Read The Trump administration withheld $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts after Harvard rejected its demands
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
How will the Myanmar earthquake affect the nation's military junta?
Today's Big Question More than 2,700 people have reportedly died from the earthquake
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Myanmar quake deaths rise as survivor search intensifies
speed read The magnitude-7.7 earthquake in central Myanmar has killed a documented 2,000 people so far, and left scores more trapped beneath rubble
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US