NarinjaraNews,26 May 2020

Human RightsWatch has demanded today that an impartial investigation be conductedconcerning the fire which destroyed large parts of Let Kar village in Mrauk Ootownship.  The rights group is an international organization thatinvestigates and documents human rights violations.

The statementmade today refers to satellite imagery which shows the destruction caused byfire which destroyed approximately 200 houses in Let Lar village in May 16.

An impartialinvestigation is urgently needed to determine responsibility for this massdestruction of residential property in Let Kar, Mrauk Oo township, HRW said.

From January2019 fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army has resulted innumerous civilian casualties and destruction of civilian property.

The imagery ofLet Kar bears a close resemblance to widespread arson attacks by the Myanmarmilitary on ethnic Rohingya villages in Rakhine State, the statement said.

A credible and impartialinvestigation is urgently needed to find out what happened, punish thoseresponsible, and provide compensation to villagers harmed, the statement said.

Satellite imagery recorded onMay 16, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. shows no signs of damage in Let Kar. But at 2:12p.m., an environmental satellite detected extensive fires burning there. TheHuman Rights Watch damage analysis of 200 buildings burned is most likely anunderestimate as internal damage to buildings is not visible.