GENEVA, Switzerland, July 27 (UPI) -- Reports reviewed by the United Nations suggest violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state may have taken on a religious tone, the U.N. human rights chief said.
Violence among rival ethnic and sectarian communities flared recently and 10 Muslims were killed by mobs. More deaths were reported in Rakhine when police fired on demonstrators.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Friday an independent investigation was needed into the violence in Rakhine.
"We have been receiving a stream of reports from independent sources alleging discriminatory and arbitrary responses by security forces, and even their instigation of and involvement in clashes," she said in a statement.
"Reports indicate that the initial swift response of the authorities to the communal violence may have turned into a crackdown targeting Muslims."
Pillay's office said at least 78 people have died as a result of regional conflict and more than 70,000 people were displaced. A special envoy for human rights is expected to visit the region next week.
Myanmar received sweeping praise from the international community following political reforms that culminated in opposition leader, former prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi taking a seat in Parliament.
