YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Severe shortages of food, water and medical care for Rohingya Muslims in western Myanmar are part of a long history of persecution against the religious minority that could amount to “crimes against humanity,” a U.N. human rights envoy said, an allegation denied by the government.

The statements follow the en masse evacuation of international aid workers from the strife-torn state of Rakhine after their residences and offices were attacked by rampaging Buddhist mobs two weeks ago.