A group of US researchers say Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar are facing a grave humanitarian situation, and have warned of a possible genocide there.

Staff from Washington’s Center for the Prevention of Genocide visited Myanmar in March to investigate the conditions in which the Rohingyas live and the threats they are facing.

According to their report, released recently, Rohingya Muslims are the target of rampant hate speech and restrictions on their freedom of movement.

“We left Burma [Myanmar] deeply concerned that so many preconditions for genocide are already in place. With a recent history of mass atrocities and within a pervasive climate of hatred and fear, the Rohingya may once again become the target of mass atrocities, including genocide,” the group said.

The group said the early warning signs of future mass atrocities included various acts targeting the Rohingya people such as physical violence against individuals, homes and businesses; physical segregation from other ethnic groups; widespread and unbridled hate speech; destruction of Rohingya mosques; and sexual violence against the minority group.

Myanmar will hold elections at the end of this year and the report predicts that the polls could ignite mass violence against the Rohingya.

“Such a spark could be the national elections planned for the fall of 2015. Elections are sometimes trigger points for increased violence, especially in places marked by past violence and long-term oppression,” it warned.

The group said that long-term strategies are required to counter rampant hate against the Rohingya.

It called on the Myanmar government to adopt a variety of measures including ending discriminatory laws and policies targeting the Rohingya people; investigating attacks committed against them in line with international legal standards; and providing full cooperation to humanitarian assistance organizations, governments and other agencies making efforts to help the minority group.