Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi, rights activists criticize 2-child limit for Muslim Rohingya

YANGON, Myanmar – Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, rights groups and Islamic leaders have expressed dismay over plans by authorities in western Myanmar to revive a two-child limit on Muslim Rohingya families.

The policy applies to Rohingya in two townships of Rakhine state but not to majority Buddhists in the area and comes amid accusations of ethnic cleansing.

Suu Kyi called the measure discriminatory, illegal and a violation of human rights.

Phil Robertson of New York-based Human Rights Watch called it outrageous and chilling.

Details of how the policy will be enforced and whether it differs from a similar measure imposed during past military rule have not been released, sparking calls for clarity and concerns of more discrimination against a group the U.N. calls one of the world's most persecuted people.