OIC Condemns Military Brutality On Rohingyas

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned in the strongest possible terms, the brutal violence by Myanmar forces on Rohingyas and called for international action to end the violence. In a statement Tuesday, OIC Special Envoy for Myanmar, Dr Syed Hamid Syed Albar said the brutal violence was being perpetuated by Myanmar forces to execute collective punishment against the Rohingya people in the Northern Rakhine State. Describing it as a gross violation of human rights and an intolerable affront to international humanitarian law, he said the violence was characterised by a cruel and systematic ethnic cleansing action. "The use of disproportionate force on this community, including children, women and the elderly is unjustifiable and unacceptable on all counts," he added. Syed Hamid said the international community could not remain silent as the Rohingya people stood on the brink of annihilation. "To do so, will mean that we have failed in our duty to uphold conformity with the principles of justice and responsibility to protect, in maintaining global peace and security," said Malaysia's former foreign minister. He stressed that the international community should act quickly to end those heartless acts and called upon the United Nations (UN) and ASEAN, particularly, to take appropriate measures pursuant to the provisions of the UN Charter to protect and uphold the rights of all people to peace and security. According to a news report, Myanmar forces launched attacks with helicopter gunships on Rohingya villages in Rakhine on Saturday, leaving eight people, including two soldiers, dead. It further reported that the following day, the forces had also shot dead at least 25 people in those villages. --BERNAMA