UN General Assembly

A United Nations panel has criticized the nations of Burma and Belarus for human rights abuses.

The General Assembly committee on Thursday passed a resolution that says Burma's government refused to investigate widespread human rights violations such as summary executions, torture, forced labor, sexual violence and the recruitment of child soldiers.

The resolution noted attacks by the military on villages in Kayin state and other ethnic provinces.

It also criticized Burma's government for the harassment and arrest of student leaders, and the continuing house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition National League for Democracy.

The resolution on Belarus faulted the Minsk government for rigging elections last March, suppressing dissent, arresting dissidents and obstructing opposition candidates.

A Belarus-sponsored resolution critical of the U.S. human rights record was overwhelmingly defeated.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.