The UN Human Rights Council [official website] on Tuesday approved a resolution [text, DOC] condemning systematic human rights violations against the Rohingya minority and the acts of violence committed by Myanmar security forces, calling instead for a peaceful resolution.

Thirty-three member-states were in favor of the resolution [press release] while nine abstained.

According to High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein [official profile], many Rohingya people are still fleeing their homes calling into question whether acts of genocide [JURIST report] are taking place. Since August 626,000 Rohingya have fled [UN report] Bangladesh despite an agreement [JURIST report] between Myanmar and Bangladesh to repatriate refugees. According to reports, acts of extreme violence against Rohingya people have taken place, including, murder, rape, and destruction of property. Zeid proposed that the Council recommend the UN General Assembly to establish a mechanism to assist in criminal investigations. At the session, Zeid discussed the consistent allegations of human rights violations by Myanmar security forces [JURIST database] as well as the lack of accountability for such violations.

The Council requested the High Commissioner to track the process of human rights concerns of the Rohingya people and to provide updates for the next three years.