OIC terms violence against Rohingyas as ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity – demands cessation of violence and accountability

(2017-09-12) Pakistan, on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has demanded immediate cessation of violence against Rohingya Muslims and called upon Myanmar to allow access to the United Nations Fact Finding Mission in the affected areas as well as to bring all perpetrators of violence to justice.

Terming the violence against Rohingya Muslims as “ethnic cleansing” and crimes against humanity”, Ambassador Farukh Amil, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, in his statement at the 36th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, urged the international community to provide adequate humanitarian assistance to the Muslim civilians in the Rakhine State of Myanmar as well as to the refugees in Bangladesh. Reportedly so far, nearly 300,000 Muslim refugees have crossed over into Bangladesh, escaping persecution in Myanmar.

Pakistan’s permanent Representative Ambassador Amil, stated that OIC would come up with initiatives within and outside the UNHRC to prevent crimes against humanity perpetrated by Myanmar forces, ensure sustainable return and rehabilitation of all Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh and create conditions conducive to protection of lives, livelihoods and human dignity of Myanmar’s Muslim population.

The 36th Session of the UNHRC commenced in Geneva, yesterday.

Islamabad
12 September 2017

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