Concerning Iran’s efforts to follow up on Rohingya Muslims’ conditions, Ghasemi clarified, “so far extensive negotiations focusing on the Muslim’s of Myanmar have been underway and Foreign Minister Zarif have made phone calls to several of his counterparts in different countries.”
He further suggested that in line with these diplomatic efforts, Iran is trying to send representatives to the headquarters of the United Nations in New York so they can discuss Myanmar Muslims’ predicament with UN authorities and the ambassadors of Muslim countries.
Stating that Iran’s embassy in Thailand acts as an embassy of accreditation in Myanmar, Ghasemi also mentioned, “Iran has made contacts with Myanmar’s government in order to facilitate sending humanitarian aids to the people of this region. However, despite the efforts to contact Myanmar, the government of this country has not issued a license for Iran to send aids.”
He stressed that Iran will continue its efforts to help the oppressed Muslims of this region. In the event that such a license is issued, a delegation of foreign ministers’ representative will also travel to Myanmar.
According to Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, the embassy of Iran in Bangladesh has been ordered to make calls with the governments of Bangladesh to assist Iran in sending aids to Myanmar refugees.
Rohingya Musilm refugees are making their way into Bangladesh after crossing the Myanmar-Bangladesh border. At least 164000 ethnic Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar since August 25, according to the Inter Sector Coordination Group of humanitarian agencies in Bangladesh. The United Nations expects that number to jump to 300000 by the end of 2017.
ZGH/PR