UN warns Burma's reform program could be put at riskOctober 26, 2012 - 16:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN has warned that Burma's reform program could be put at risk by continued communal violence in the western state of Rakhine, BBC News reported The warning comes as the death toll from clashes between Buddhists and Muslims soared to more than 100, according to local officials. Thousands of homes have been destroyed as clashes spread across the state. This is the first serious outburst of violence since June, when a state of emergency was declared in Rakhine. At that time deadly clashes claimed dozens of lives and thousands of people were forced to flee their homes - many are yet to return. The increased death toll appears to be largely the result of reports of deaths coming in from remote areas of the state The statement by the UN appears to be the strongest yet on the unrest which has gripped the state since June. It warns the government that all its impressive progress on reforming Burma's authoritarian political structures could be undone by the damage caused to the country's social fabric if the unrest cannot be stopped. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |