Turkish NGO calls on Myanmar to stop 'genocide'

By Meryem Goktas

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish Human Rights and Justice Movement (IHAK) has called on the government of Myanmar to “stop the genocide” in Rakhine state.

Deadly attacks on border posts in western Myanmar's Rakhine state broke out on Friday, resulting in mass civilian casualties.

Later, media reports emerged saying Myanmar security forces used disproportionate force and displaced thousands of Rohingya villagers, destroying homes with mortars and machine guns.

"The genocide in Arakan [Rakhine state] should be stopped immediately and those who are involved in the acts of genocide and torture should be brought to justice as soon as possible," the statement read.

IHAK said Rohingya Muslims were being "subjected to systematic violation and derogation by the Myanmar government".

The group said eyewitness testimonies and visual media from Rakhine state showed "torture and genocide" in the region was ongoing.

IHAK also called on the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and all international organizations "to stop the genocide and torture" in Rakhine state.