An independent commission established by the Myanmar government to investigate allegations of gross human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state has begun its probe by visiting the area, the state-run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar reported Saturday.
The commission, led by Rosario Manalo, former deputy foreign minister of the Philippines, visited Maungdaw in the conflict-stricken northern part of Rakhine by helicopter Friday and met with local officials and villagers there, the paper said.
The four-member commission, which was set up last month by the government of Myanmar, includes two international members — Manalo and Kenzo Oshima, Japan's former ambassador to the United Nations.