AUNG San Suu Kyi has spoken out about the Rohingya refugee crisis in a live address on television yesterday.

The Myanmar leader defended her country against international criticism over an exodus of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, saying that most of their villages remain intact, and that it is important to understand why conflict did not break out everywhere.

The Nobel Peace laureate’s global image has been damaged by violence since Rohingya insurgents attacked Myanmar security forces on August 25.

More than 400,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh from their villages, many of which were burned. The government blamed the Rohingya themselves, but members of the persecuted minority said soldiers and Buddhist mobs attacked them.

Suu Kyi told foreign diplomats gathered in Naypyitaw that “more than half” of Rohingya villages were not affected by the violence.

She invited the diplomats to visit those villages so they could learn, along with the government, “why are they not at each other’s throats in these particular areas”.

Her address came after a human rights organisation warned Rohingya Muslims were being wiped off the map in Myanmar.

The Arakan Project, which works to improve conditions for the ethnic minority, is documenting attacks on the three townships in the northern Rakhine state where Rohingya are concentrated. It found that almost every tract of villages in Maungdaw had suffered some burning, and that all of Maungdaw had been almost completely abandoned by Rohingya.

Most Rohingya villages in Rathedaung, to the north, were targeted. So were three camps for Rohingya displaced in communal riots five years ago. Buthidaung, which is to the east, has so far been largely spared.

Suu Kyi’s speech drew a mixed reaction, with praise from some observers in Myanmar but a scathing response from Rohingya refugees.

Rohingya refugee Sanaullah, speaking in the Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh, said: “Aung San Suu Kyi came to power and spoke of democracy. When she was in jail, we were at peace. After she came out of jail, Aung San Suu Kyi became part of the government, when they formed the government, after that the torture started (of Rohingya).”

Another refugee at the same camp, Abdul Hafiz, said: “What Suu Kyi told her people and the world is a complete lie. If what she said is not a lie then let the world media in, so that they can see whether we are tortured or we are happy.”

In the Myanmar capital of Naypyitaw, shop owner Zaw Zaw Hlang said: “We really support and are happy about what she has said to the international community. ... What we want is only peace for the citizens of this country. We don’t want other countries to interfere or invade our country.”

Computer designer Phyo Ko Ko, also works in Naypyitaw, said: “I totally support what she said because she wants good things for the country.”

Unicef’s deputy representative Paul Edwards said: “I’m always optimistic. She has stated she wants everyone to work together for peace and reconciliation so that’s what we take and that is what we will try and do.”

Russia’s ambassador to Myanmar Nikolay Listopadov said: “As a first step I think it was a good speech, a good message to the international community.”

The Chinese ambassador Hong Liang also welcomed the contribution, saying: “It will help the international community have a better understanding of the situation here in Myanmar and in Rakhine and help the international community have a better understanding of the position held by the Myanmar government.”

Human rights experts had mixed views.

James Gomez, Amnesty International’s regional director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said: “Aung San Suu Kyi today demonstrated that she and her government are still burying their heads in the sand over the horrors unfolding in Rakhine state.

“At times, her speech amounted to little more than a mix of untruths and victim blaming. There is overwhelming evidence that security forces are engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing.

“While it was positive to hear Aung San Suu Kyi condemn human rights violations in Rakhine state, she is still silent about the role of the security forces in this.”

Phil Robertson, of Human Rights Watch, said: “I think that she was trying to claw back some credibility with the international community but was not prepared to go far enough.

“She said the right words ... but when you peel it away, the ability to implement any of that is really very minimal.

“When she says that 50 per cent of the Muslim villages are still present in Rakhine state, what are we talking about? Fifty per cent are gone. Fifty per cent are burnt out. Fifty per cent is a failing grade.”