OIC urges Myanmar to allow investigation into Rohingya issue

The decision was made by the OIC members at a meeting of heads of states and government of member states held to discuss the issue of the community, on the sidelines of the first OIC Summit on Science and Technology in Astanam Kazakhstan.

The meeting also expressed grave concern over the systematic brutal acts perpetrated by security forces against the Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar, forcing over 270,000 Muslims to flee to Bangladesh, in addition to the burning of their homes and places of worship.

The meeting urges the government of Myanmar to eliminate the root causes, including the denial of citizenship based on the 1982 Citizenship Act which has led to statelessness and deprival of the rights of the Rohingyas, according to the OIC Chairman's summary report of the meeting made available to the media on Sunday.

The report also indicated that the OIC members also urged the Myanmar government to take urgent measures for a sustainable return of Rohingya refugees and internally and externally displaced population to their homeland, Rakhine State.

The meeting also welcomed the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission headed by Kofi Annan, on the issue.

The Commission among others recommends that the government takes concrete steps to end enforced segregation of Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims; ensure full and unfettered humanitarian access throughout the state; tackle Rohingya statelessness and “revisit” the 1982 Citizenship Law; hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable; and end restrictions on freedom of movement.

Additionally, the OIC leaders also called on the member states to join the efforts of the international community towards lifting all restrictions on freedom of movement in Rakhine State and ensuring an inclusive and transparent citizenship verification process that leaves no individual unregistered nor hinders their access to essential social services, including education and health care.

The leaders also expressed concerns over the huge influx towards Bangladesh and its humanitarian and security consequences for the Government of Bangladesh, but at the same time lauded the host country's assistance and aid extended to the refugees.

It also acknowledges the efforts by member states which had provided humanitarian and development assistance for the Rohingya people and encourage all States to formulate development projects that would provide education, health services and vocational training that would benefit the community of the Rakhine States, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

The meeting also agreed to continue efforts to coordinate and dispatch humanitarian life-saving aid especially medical and nutrition supply to the affected areas in Myanmar.