OIC Condemns Violence Against Rohingya Muslim Minorities in Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed grave concern over reports of violence against Rohingya Muslim minorities living in the Arakan province and other parts of Myanmar. "The OIC condemns such systematic acts of violence and intimidation against the peaceful Rohingya population, which has suffered for decades," said OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in a statement. In this regard, the organisation of 57 member states urged its members and the international community to immediately ask the Myanmar government to prevent such violence and loss of life and bring the offenders to justice. In the statement, the Jeddah-based OIC noted reports of repeated attacks on the Rohingya Muslim community’s places of worship, properties and residences in the western province of Rakhine in the last few days. The statement also mentioned disturbing reports of armed mobs surrounding the Central Mosque and Auk Ywa Mosque to intimidate the worshippers. "As the country moves towards democratisation, it is expected that the Myanmar authorities will exercise their democratic responsibilities, taking all necessary measures to stop violence in the Arakan region," the organisation remarked. The OIC further stressed that Myanmar must maintain international standards and accord full citizenship rights to the Rohingya Muslims. -- BERNAMA