President M Abdul Hamid on Sunday sought the OIC’s support to ensure a just and peaceful life of Rohingya Muslim who are discriminated, oppressed and victims of systematic persecution in their Rakhine state homeland in Myanmar.
“In Bangladesh, we are now faced with a formidable challenge of the influx of more than 1.1 million Rohingyas . . . What has been happening in neighbouring Myanmar not only represents a clear violation of core International Human Rights treaties but also shows a burning example of ethnic cleansing,” President Abdul Hamid said in a banquet speech at Bangabhaban on Sunday evening given in honour of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Hossain, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, cabinet members, foreign ministers of the Organisation Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, secretary general of OIC Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen and OIC assistant secretary general, among others, attended the banquet.
“Our world is challenged by conflict and Islamophobia. The OIC needs to articulate a vision for a just global order, where Muslims do not suffer from Islamophobia or ethnic cleansing,” the President said, stressing a vigorous role of OIC members on the basis of solidarity in this regard.
Giving a salient features of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar for decades, Abdul Hamid said having been deprived of citizenship under the 1982 citizenship law, they (Rohingyas) are denied access to health and education, prohibited from taking part in civil and political life, and deprived of their social, economic and cultural rights in their Rakhine state homeland.
“The latest episode of violence starting from August 2017, is a sharp escalation of long-running, state-led persecution and attacks on the Rohingya population,” the President mentioned.
Appreciating OIC’s efforts in promoting the just cause for Rohingyas, in the same vein, he commended OIC’s continued role in remaining engaged for justice for Palestinians.
