UNITED NATIONS: The new UN envoy for Myanmar has told authorities in her first visit to the strife-torn country that those behind atrocities and attacks against persecuted Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state “must be held accountable.”

In a statement released by the UN Spokesperson’s office Thursday, the envoy, Christine Schraner Burgener, said that in all her discussions with national leaders, she had “underlined the importance of accountability” which was “essential for genuine reconciliation.” The envoy said credible measures were needed to establish accountability for the violence that has engulfed Rakhine and driven thousands of Rohingya from their homes.

The UN envoy “urged for credible fact-finding measures” and said the United Nations was ready to cooperate to establish such steps. Schraner Burgener held talks with Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and commander-in-chief General Min Aung Hlaing during a nine-day visit to the country. After visiting the camps of displaced Rohingya in Rakhine, she also suggested that authorities hold public meetings with the affected communities to encourage “reconciliation and healing.”

Schraner Burgener, a former Swiss ambassador to Germany who was appointed special envoy in April, will travel soon to neighboring Bangladesh where 700,000 Rohingya live in overcrowded camps after being driven from their homes. She also plans to visit Thailand and China. The United Nations has described the military campaign in Rakhine as “ethnic cleansing” and is pushing for a full investigation into allegations of atrocities.