Myanmar urged to allow OIC access

Delegation wants to assess plight of the Rohingyas

KUALA LUMPUR // The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC) plans to send a highlevel delegation to assess the plight of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The OIC urged Myanmar to accept the delegation’s visit in a resolution passed at a special meeting of its foreign ministers in the Malaysian capital yesterday.

It asked Myanmar to implement the rule of law, work towards a sustainable solution, and allow the safe return of refugees and “unimpeded and unconditional access” for humanitarian aid to the affected area.

Rohingya villagers and activists said hundreds of civilians have been killed in northern Rakhine since October, when Myanmar’s army began operations after attacks on border posts in which nine policemen were killed.

The civilian toll cannot be verified because authorities have restricted access for aid workers and journalists.

The security forces are accused of killings, rapes and burning homes – driving about 65,000 Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh in the past three months. The government and the army said they had been conducting operations to clear the area of armed elements.

Malaysian foreign minister Anifah Aman said an independent assessment of the situation would help Myanmar’s government. “Why not receive an independent team to assess whether what has been said really happened or is just mere propaganda?” Mr Anifah said yesterday.

Malaysia said the crisis was no longer Myanmar’s internal affair because it had fuelled a wave of refugees that could destabilise the region.

Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak told the meeting the violence had to end or militant groups, including ISIL, could infiltrate and radicalise the Rohingya. Mr Najib urged Myanmar to stop all discrimination and attacks and repeated calls for the free delivery of aid and safe return of refugees.

“This must happen now,” he said. “The government of Myanmar disputes the terms ‘genocide’ and ‘ethnic cleansing’, but whatever the terminology, the Rohingya cannot wait.” Mr Najib said Malaysia would donate another 10 million ringgit (Dh8.24m) for humanitarian aid and social projects in Rakhine.

Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi said Jakarta was “more than ready to play a bridging role” to help Myanmar and its Muslim minority.

She was to fly to Yangon today to meet Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and travel to Rakhine tomorrow.

OIC secretary general Yousef Al Othaimeen said Myanmar must halt discrimination and the systematic abuse against the Rohingya.