OIC continues to mobilise efforts for assistance for Rohingya Refugees

By Khaleej Times

May 25, 2015

During the upcoming Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Kuwait the issue will be top of the agenda through the OIC Contact Group on Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar.

Jeddah - The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is mobilising its resources to address the political and humanitarian aspects of the ongoing crisis facing the boat people in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca who are adrift on the high seas, as part of its long standing campaign in support of the persecuted Muslim minority in Myanmar.

During the upcoming Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Kuwait this Wednesday, the issue will be top of the agenda through the OIC Contact Group on Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar, where a joint plan of action will be discussed for adoption.

Following the human tragedy closely, the OIC Secretary-General, Iyad Ameen Madani, has reached out to some foreign ministers of member states in the region to review possible methods of assistance. He instructed the OIC offices in Geneva and New York to actively coordinate with the relevant international agencies and organisations to contribute to humanitarian efforts regardless of the background or status of the victim. The OIC Special Envoy for Myanmar, Tan Sri Datuk Syed Hamid Albar, has been fully active on the ground as well working with local NGOs and contacting officials.

The OIC has also communicated with its network of humanitarian NGOs to create a comprehensive action plan to address the current crisis. In addition, it is also preparing to launch a media awareness and fund raising campaign throughout member states.

A statement from the OIC said that it has maintained a firm position that the primary cause of the current crisis is the dire situation facing the Rohingya of Myanmar. Since 2012, the deteriorating conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State for the Rohingya Muslims has caused as many as 100,000 to flee on unseaworthy boats due to oppression, fear of abuse and killings.

“This has often put them and other migrants in the hands of vicious human traffickers. To comprehensively address this untenable situation, the international community must press the Myanmar government to stop violating the basic human rights of the Rohingya and recognise them as fully-fledged citizens of Myanmar, and allow all refugees to return to their homes,” the OIC statement continued.

The OIC said that it is determined to continue working with the international community, not only to reach a lasting and durable settlement of the humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya, but also their status and inalienable rights of dignity, religious freedom, full citizenship and equal opportunity.