Iran Urges Myanmar Gov't to Pay Serious Attention to Dire Situation of Rohingya Muslims

Rasa - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi complained about the unfavorable conditions of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, and called on the country's government to show care and attention to improve the conditions of the deprived people.

News ID: 426655

Date: 19 January 2017 - 18:15

RNA - “We will not tolerate victimization of Muslims in anywhere and we call on Myanmar’s government to control the situation and prevent the crimes against Muslims,” Araqchi said on Thursday.

He made the remarks in an interview on the sidelines of a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur to discuss the plight of Rohingya Muslims.

He also referred to the killing and displacement of Muslims in clashes with Buddhist extremists, and said, “We do not believe such clashes have religious roots. However, the important thing is that Muslims are the victims there."

The Iranian diplomat said the Rohingya suffer extreme hardship due to the fact that Myanmar does not recognize them as citizens, calling on the country to resolve the issue by granting citizenship to the Muslim minority.

The OIC, which represents 57 countries, was to hold an emergency meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to discuss regional issues, including the ongoing military crackdown against the Rohingya.

Violence by extremist Buddhists against Rohingya Muslims has killed hundreds of them and forced many more to flee the country.

Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar account for about five percent of the country’s population of nearly 60 million. They have been persecuted and faced torture, neglect, and repression since the country's independence in 1948. The UN recognizes the Rohingya Muslims living in Myanmar’s Rakhine State as one of the world’s most persecuted communities.

The Myanmar government has been repeatedly criticized by human rights groups for failing to protect the Rohingya Muslims. International bodies and human rights organizations accuse the government of turning a blind eye to the violence.

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