Zarif calls for UN immediate action to Rohingya Muslims' situation

Zarif urged António Guterres to engage actively with the Government of Myanmar and take basic steps to end the serious concerns of international community over the situation of Rohingya Muslims.

The full text of his letter to the UN chief follows:

I would like to draw your kind attention to an issue that is of international concern. Based on valid information, including the statement by Mr. Vijay Nambiar, your Special Adviser on Myanmar, made on 8 December 2016, the situation of the Rohingya Muslim community is increasingly deteriorating. Not only are the Rohingya Muslims deprived from their most basic rights, which include the right to a territory and a government that supports them, they are also subject to atrocities and inhumane behaviors on a daily basis. Many of them have been forced to leave their homes and are now displaced in other countries. This situation, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and runs counter to the most fundamental principles enshrined in human-right documents, is a matter of deep concern for the international community and Muslims all over the world. The extraordinary meeting of the OIC foreign ministers, set to take place on 19 January 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to consider the situation of the Rohingya People, testifies to the depth of the concern in Islamic countries.

Obviously, the systematic and extensive violation of the basic rights of the Rohingya Muslims, their deprivation of citizen rights they enjoyed for centuries and their banishment from their homes, will have adverse consequences for peace and security in Myanmar, its neighboring countries and the whole region.

The international community expects from the Government of Myanmar to assert control over the Rohingya region and act immediately and effectively towards the restoration of the rights of the Rohingya Muslims as a part of the Myanmar society. It should not allow the violent and extremist groups to blur the peaceful nature of the Buddhist faith.

Given the concern over the fate of the Rohingya Muslims, I expect that Your Excellency and your Special Adviser on Myanmar communicate actively with the Government of Myanmar and convey to Myanmar's officials the view of the international community on the need to stop the violation of the rights of the Rohingya Muslims and allow unfettered access of humanitarian assistance to the violence-stricken regions.

I hope that the international community and the relevant UN mechanisms, including the Consultative Commission for Rakhine State, consider the situation, act swiftly and take essential steps towards allaying international concern about the situation of the Rohingya Muslims.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

LR/3870121