OIC calls for emergency meetings to address Rohingya crisis

Published: 13 December 2016, 01:14 PM

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, has instructed the OIC Permanent Missions in New York, Geneva and Brussels to convene emergency meetings of the Permanent Representatives of OIC Member States to address the crisis situation facing the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar, a statement of OIC said.

Issued on Tuesday, the statement said that the Secretary General has repeatedly condemned the renewed repression and violation of human rights of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar and stated that the OIC Charter mandates the Organization to assist Muslim minorities and communities outside the Member States to preserve their dignity, culture and religious identity.

"The Organization had hoped with the recent restoration of democracy in Myanmar, oppression against Rohingya Muslims citizens would end and that they would be able to enjoy equal rights and freedoms," the statement reads.

"Regretfully this has not been the case," it added.

The statement further said that the Myanmar government must recognize that its position in the international community does not only come with opportunities but also with responsibilities.

In the statement, the Secretary General also emphasized that the Myanmar Government as a member of the United Nations and the ASEAN, must adhere to the international standards and norms including the relevant conventions and declarations for the protection of human rights.

"The reports of deliberate targeting and indiscriminate killing and arrest of Rohingya civilians, destruction of homes and religious buildings and the widespread abuse of women by the military forces must be fully investigated by the international community as they are tantamount to crimes against humanity," the statement reads.

Read More : Who are the Rohingya?

There were reports of gross human rights violation in Rakhine state of Myanmar. Dozens of Rohingya Muslims were killed and many women were reportedly raped by Myanmar military forces. Human Rights Watch and the United Nations have called Myanmar leader to take necessay steps to end the violence. However, the violence continues.