Iran expresses deep concern over new clashes in Myanmar

TEHRAN, Oct. 28 (MNA) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over new wave of sectarian clashes between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists in Myanmar. The United Nations said on Sunday that more than 22,000 people from mainly Muslim communities have been displaced in western Myanmar after a fresh wave of violence that has left dozens dead. Human Rights Watch on Saturday released satellite images showing "extensive destruction of homes and other property in a predominantly Rohingya Muslim area" of Kyaukpyu. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Saturday that it is necessary to fundamentally put an end to sectarian clashes in Myanmar and called on the Rangoon government to immediately resolve the problems of the Muslim community in the country and protect their rights. Mehmanparast added Iran is ready to assist Myanmar to principally stop ethnic and sectarian conflict in the country and expressed hope that the Myanmar government would take measures to restore durable peace and peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Buddhists in the country. Myanmar’s estimated 800,000 Rohingyas are officially stateless, and regarded by the government of the majority Buddhist country as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, rather than one of its 135 official ethnic groups, as a result of which it denies them citizenship. The Rohingya have long been considered by the UN as one of the most persecuted minorities on the planet.