The UN Human Rights Council decided today to extend the mandate of a fact-finding mission in the country by six months, until September 2018, as requested by the mission's leader, but over the objections of Myanmar, China and the Philippines.

Myanmar's representative on the council, Hau Khan Sum, said the mission was "not helpful, it is not in line with the situation on the ground and would do no good to finding a solution to Rakhine issues", referring to violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

The council backed the resolution, which was put forward by Estonia on behalf of the European Union, without a vote.