IPHRC expressed its dismay at the plight of the Rohingyas in Myanmar, who continue to suffer severe and institutionalized human rights violations at a mass scale
The OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) said the situation of Rohingyas carry the hallmark of an organized campaign of ethnic cleansing, which is a crime against humanity under international law and must be stopped by all means.
In a statement issued on Friday, IPHRC expressed its dismay at the plight of the Rohingyas in Myanmar, who continue to suffer severe and institutionalized human rights violations at a mass scale.
Persecuted based on their race, religion and origin, the Rohingyas represents one of the worst examples of victims of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, it added.
Based on the testimonies received from a wide range of Rohingya victims, the Commission affirmed that the situation carries the hallmark of an organized campaign of ethnic cleansing, which is a crime against humanity under international law and must be stopped by all means.
The Commission reminded the Myanmar authorities that no amount of dragging its feet would help them get away with the denial of fundamental rights of its Rohingya population.
It, accordingly, called upon the Myanmar government to take firm steps to immediately end the violence against Rohingyas and bring the perpetrators of violence to justice, revise and replace all discriminatory policies and practices against the minority group; ensure a sustainable and voluntary return of the refugees, ensure free and unfettered access to humanitarian aid agencies, accept UN and OIC fact finding missions for independent investigations into all alleged violations of international human rights law.
The commission also asked Myanmar government to implement the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Advisory Commission, address the disinformation campaigns against Rohingya and foster reconciliation among affected communities through dialogue and greater integration; and take concrete steps to address root causes of deprivation and discrimination of the Rohingya.
The Commission also called upon the international community in general and OIC Member States in particular to do all they can to urge Myanmar to fulfill its international human rights obligations towards its Rohingya minority in a concrete and time bound manner.
OIC-IPHRC visited different Rohingya camps in Cox Bazar for three days to regularly monitor and report on the human rights situation of minority group.
The IPHRC undertook a visit to Cox Bazar after the Myanmar authorities responded negatively to the repeated requests to undertake a fact-finding visit to Rakhine State to freely and objectively ascertain the human rights situation on the ground.
The delegation included president of the OIC IPHRC Rashid Al Balushi, OIC vice-chairs SK Kaggwa and Raihana Binte Abdullah; OIC IPHRC members Ambassador Muhammad Zamir, Abdul Wahhab, Mahmud Mustafa Afifi and Adam Nana; and OIC executive directors Marghoob Saleem Butt, Hafid El Hachimi, Akem Al Ghamdi, Hassan Abedin, Maha Akil, Abdullah Kabi and Mohammad Kalaba.
During the visit, the Rohingya refugees narrated horrifying tales of human rights violations to the delegation.
IPHRC delegation appreciated the Bangladesh government for the unfettered access and full logistical support provided to undertake its mandated task with objectivity and neutrality.
A detailed report of the findings of IPHRC delegation visit with concrete recommendations will be presented to the 45th session of the OIC CFM for its consideration.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/01/06/oic-rights-body-finds-organized-campaign-ethnic-cleansing-rohingyas/
(c) 2018 Dhaka Tribune