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| UN staff jailed in Burma | UN staff jailed in Burma |
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| A court in Burma has sentenced two United Nations workers to prison terms for their alleged involvement in a spate of bloody communal violence in the west of the country in June. | A court in Burma has sentenced two United Nations workers to prison terms for their alleged involvement in a spate of bloody communal violence in the west of the country in June. |
| The punishments were handed down on Friday in the Rakhine state town of Maungdaw, said Aye Win, a UN spokesman based in Burma. One of those sentenced was an employee of the UN refugee agency and the other the UN World Food Programme. | The punishments were handed down on Friday in the Rakhine state town of Maungdaw, said Aye Win, a UN spokesman based in Burma. One of those sentenced was an employee of the UN refugee agency and the other the UN World Food Programme. |
| A spokesperson for the world body's refugee agency in Bangkok, Vivian Tan, called the verdicts "very disappointing". | A spokesperson for the world body's refugee agency in Bangkok, Vivian Tan, called the verdicts "very disappointing". |
| Tan said a third aid worker employed by another unidentified humanitarian group working with the UN was also convicted. | Tan said a third aid worker employed by another unidentified humanitarian group working with the UN was also convicted. |
| UN officials said they had no details on the official charges. | UN officials said they had no details on the official charges. |
| The Burma independent newspaper Weekly Eleven reported that the staff members – all believed to be from the local Muslim community – were charged with crimes including promoting hatred between Buddhists and Muslims and participation in arson attacks. The paper cited anonymous court sources in its report, and said the sentences ranged from two to six years. | The Burma independent newspaper Weekly Eleven reported that the staff members – all believed to be from the local Muslim community – were charged with crimes including promoting hatred between Buddhists and Muslims and participation in arson attacks. The paper cited anonymous court sources in its report, and said the sentences ranged from two to six years. |
| Violence between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims exploded in June, leaving more than 80 people dead and thousands of homes burned to the ground. Human rights groups say around 100,000 people have been displaced during the conflict and have accused the government over cracking down too harshly on Muslims, allegations the government has denied. | Violence between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims exploded in June, leaving more than 80 people dead and thousands of homes burned to the ground. Human rights groups say around 100,000 people have been displaced during the conflict and have accused the government over cracking down too harshly on Muslims, allegations the government has denied. |
| Humanitarian groups claim that at least 12 local staff employed by international aid groups were detained by the government in June for suspected involvement in the unrest. Six have so far been released. | Humanitarian groups claim that at least 12 local staff employed by international aid groups were detained by the government in June for suspected involvement in the unrest. Six have so far been released. |
| Last week, Doctors Without Borders said two of its employees were still being held, while the UN refugee agency said two Burmese nationals on its staff were in custody. The World Food Programme is also believed to have staff who have been detained. | Last week, Doctors Without Borders said two of its employees were still being held, while the UN refugee agency said two Burmese nationals on its staff were in custody. The World Food Programme is also believed to have staff who have been detained. |
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