OIC Chief upset over drowning of Muslim Rohingyas in Thai

Jeddah, January 29, SPA -- The Secretary General of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has
expressed concern over reports confirming that hundreds of Muslim
Rohingya refugees were feared missing and drowned in late December
2008 in Thai territorial waters.


The Rohingya refugees were fleeing oppression and dictatorial rule
in Myanmar. Thai coast guards pushed Muslim Rohingyas back at sea in
decrepit boats and abandoned them helpless and with no adequate
provisions, according to a latest news release of the OIC.


Ihsanoglu stated that protecting the lives of refugees and
preserving them from abuse is a legal responsibility that falls on
Thailand through whose territorial waters the Rohingyas sailed.
Thailand needs to provide care and protection to those refuges in
accordance with the provisions of the 1951 UN Convention and the
Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. He expressed concern
about the fate of survivors, appealing to countries the refugees
reached to provide them with urgent humanitarian assistance.


The Secretary General also appealed to the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to undertake an independent
investigation and provide all assistance to the Muslim Rohingya
refugees.


He emphasized the need for the Thai government to conduct, as
promised by Thai Prime Minister, an urgent investigation on the
circumstances leading up to this tragic incident and refer those
found responsible to justice. He affirmed that he will follow up
developments of this matter with the Thai government.