OIC Calls Upon The EU, UN Agencies to Take Decisive Action on Rohingya Crisis

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen has urged the European Union and United Nations agencies to take decisive action to alleviate the suffering of the Rohingya people and end the ongoing crisis in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The OIC in a statement said that Al-Othaimeen had addressed the matter in separate letters to High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini; UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein; and UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi. "Since 2014, the OIC has warned that if the government of Myanmar continues to destroy homes, kill innocent civilians and humiliate the entire population without any recourse to justice, this will create a breeding ground for recruitment by extremists elements. Now the international community must act to prevent the genocide of the Rohingyas," it said. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General reiterated that the OIC is together with the international community in calling for the recommendations of the Rakhine State Commission to be implemented, but warned that these are long-term goals and there is an urgent and immediate need for life-saving intervention. The Advisory Commission on the Rakhine State, chaired by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which was established on Sept 5, 2016, among others recommended for full and unimpeded humanitarian access to all affected areas, regular media access, and for the perpetrators of serious human rights violations to be held accountable through independent and impartial investigation. Al-Othaimeen added that the OIC stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance, and further reiterated its call upon the Myanmar government to end the cycle of violence and inhumane treatment of the Rohingya people and provide a lasting solution to the question of their legal status. According to international media reports, the latest conflict of the ongoing Rohingya crisis was triggered by an attack by Rohingya militants on police posts. An outbreak of violence following the attacks, sent waves of refugees fleeing the country but Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has claimed that the crisis is being distorted by misinformation, reports said. -- BERNAMA ​​​​​​