On behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Pakistan has demanded immediate cessation of violence against Rohingya Muslims and other minorities.
In his statement at the 27th Special Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) held in Geneva on December 5, 2017, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Farukh Amil urged the Myanmar’s government to allow access to the United Nations Fact Finding Mission in the affected areas, grant immediate, safe and unhindered access to United Nations agencies and their partners for provision of humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State and to bring all perpetrators of violence to justice.
Noting the progress made bilaterally between Bangladesh and Myanmar for repatriation of Rohingya refugees, Farukh Amil observed that this ongoing violence had forced hundreds of thousands of innocent Rohingya women, men and children to flee into neighbouring states for refuge. This called for reconciliation, which could come about only when discrimination against the Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar ended.
The ambassador stated that OIC remained ready to work with all stakeholders to prevent human rights violations on Rohingya Muslims. He said that further efforts were needed to ensure the early return of the Rohingya refugees in an acceptable environment of safety and dignity to their ancestral homes in Myanmar.
The HRC also adopted a resolution which called on Myanmar to immediately cease hostilities against Rohingya Muslim population and ensure safe and voluntary return of all refugees from Bangladesh.
As many as 33 Member States of the HRC had petitioned the convening of the Special Session.
