Visiting Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al Othaimeen on Thursday reminded Myanmar that Rohingya people must be given full citizenship and basic rights.
“Rohingya people are denied their basic rights. They need to be recognised in giving their identity. They must return to their country. They must have their full citizenship,” he said.
The OIC chief made the remarks while talking to journalists after his meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at the Foreign Ministry.
He called upon Myanmar government to come up with a roadmap on how to go forward to settle the issue peacefully.
“We’re very willing to come and sit down with you. Give us a roadmap [on] how to go forward. All the neighbouring governments, including Bangladesh, are willing to negotiate…to sit down how we can move forward on this issue. You can’t deny human rights. This is very important for OIC,” he said.
The OIC Secretary General said they will continue pressing on this issue in a very peaceful manner as they’re willing to negotiate and sit down.
He also appreciated the United Nations for its role and sending many delegations to Myanmar to see situation there. “I plead upon the Myanmar government-please these are your people. Give them their basic human rights.”
Talking about the government’s plan to shift the Rohingya people to an island, the OIC Chief said this is a very good idea as the government plans to create a small city with all amenities where they can live like in a normal city.
“I’m pleased to know that the government of Bangladesh is thinking of developing a small Island for them. This is very good. It’ll be like living in a small city as guests …as a normal city with services like health, housing and education. I congratulate the government of Bangladesh to think of this idea,” said the OIC chief.
Dr Othaimeen called upon all the international organizations to help the government of Bangladesh and help people of Myanmar with all the support they need.
He said Rohingya people are their brothers and sisters and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for hosting them and offering shelter with required facilities.
On terrorism and extremism, the OIC chief said terrorism is not acceptable and there is nothing to justify terrorism and violence. “Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam. Islam is a religion of peace, religion of mercy religion of tolerance. Bangladesh is a shining example of all these values of Islam.”
He said the OIC condemned all attacks in the past and mentioned, “We’re with you in your fight against terrorism.”
The OIC chief also conveyed to Prime Minister and Foreign Minister that they condemn all the terrorist acts not only in Muslim countries but also in non-Muslim countries.
He appreciated Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development and the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “Bangladesh is a very important country. We talked about the whole range of issues not only Rohingya issue,” he said adding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a shining example for all Muslims across the world.
During his meeting with Hasina, the OIC chief suggested holding an interfaith dialogue between Bangladesh’s Muslim religious leaders and Myanmar’s Buddhist religious leaders to resolve the Rohingya problem.
“The dialogue will help develop a better understanding among them (leaders) and resolve the Rohingya problem,” he said.
Othaimeen arrived here on Wednesday night on a four-day tour. He will visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar to see for himself the situation there on Friday.
This is his first visit to Bangladesh since assuming charge as the OIC Secretary General.
The visit comes at a time when Bangladesh is preparing to host the next Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in the first half of 2018.
Othaimeen also met President M Abdul Hamid on Thursday afternoon.
During his visit, the Secretary General and his accompanying delegation will also hold a meeting with Opposition Leader in Parliament Raushon Ershad.
The OIC Secretary General will visit the Kutupalong Camp and surroundings in Cox’s Bazar and the Rakhine Muslims there on Friday to express OIC ‘sympathy and solidarity’ with them.
This will give him an opportunity of briefing from the local administration and representatives of international humanitarian organisations working there, said Foreign Ministry officials.
The OIC repeatedly condemned the violence and abuse against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar in the past months.
During the extraordinary session on January 19 in Kuala Lumpur, the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers urged Myanmar to eliminate the root causes affecting the Rohingya Muslim minority and restore their citizenship.
