Pakistan deeply concerned over grave situation of Rohingya Muslims; asks OIC to play its role

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 19 (APP): Pakistan Tuesday expressed “deep
concern” over the grave situation of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and urged upon the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to play a leading role,and a “voice of conscience” for Rohingya Muslim brothers and sisters.
Addressing the OIC Contact Group meeting here at the UN headquarters,
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi assured the OIC that it would have Pakistan’s “firm and abiding support to this virtuous cause.”
“Pakistan reiterates its commitment to take full part in any
humanitarian effort by the OIC or UN to help the Rohingya Muslims,” the Prime Minister said.
He pointed that hundreds of innocent men, women and children have lost
their lives in Myanamar, and said the recent incidents there can rightly be described as a “text-book” case of ethnic cleansing.
The Prime Minister said over 400,000 have been forced to flee their
homes and seek protection and shelter in neighboring countries and demanded that this “systematic and endemic discrimination” against the Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar must end.
He said the international community must exert its utmost pressure on
the Government of Myanmar to stop the carnage of the Rohingyas.
Pakistan also demanded of the Government of Myanmar to take immediate
steps to de-escalate the situation, and ensure safety and security of the Muslim Rohingya population.
He also asked Myanmar to respect its obligations under international
law, and hold to account all perpetrators of violence against the Rohingyas.
Pakistan also demanded that the UN immediately allow a UN fact finding
mission to the country, and called for immediate access of humanitarian supplies to the affected areas.
The Prime Minister said Myanmar must create favorable conditions for
sustainable and safe return of all Rohingya refugees and grant legitimate rights including citizenship, communal participation and representation and freedom of movement, to the Rohingya, as equal citizens of Myanmar.