UN human rights envoy says sectarian violence may jeopardize Myanmar's democratic reforms

YANGON, Myanmar – The U.N. special investigator on human rights in Myanmar has warned that sectarian violence could jeopardize the country's democratic reforms if it is not addressed urgently.

Tomas Ojea Quintana said Wednesday that the government's investigation of recent violence between Buddhists and Muslims in northern Rakhine state failed to address allegations of killings of women and children.

Speaking at the end of an investigative mission, he said he will urge the U.N. Human Rights Council to work with the government to carry out a credible investigation if the government's current probe fails to meet international standards.

The United Nations says at least 48 Muslims appear to have been killed by Buddhist mobs in a village in the state's Maungdaw region. The government has vehemently denied that the violence occurred.