Wednesday, November 21, 2012

OIC plan Burma visit

0 comments
 
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:18 Mizzima News

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is planning a visit to Burma for discussions on ways to resolve the Rohingya crisis, according to a report on Wednesday by Malaysian news agency Bernama.

The news comes despite the Burmese government’s refusal to allow the OIC to open a liaison office in Burma.

The Bernama report said that the visit will be led by Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu who will be accompanied by a number of foreign ministers from OIC member states. No dates were announced for the visit.

The ministers will assess the humanitarian needs of those affected by the violence in the Rakhine State, and also coordinate with the Myanmar authorities to develop a plan, the OIC said in a statement.

The planned visit was one of the resolutions adopted at the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in Djibouti on November 15-17.

The 39th CFM urged member states to intensify efforts in the restoration of the Rohingya Muslims' nationality and citizenship rights, and the return of refugees as soon as possible, Bernama reported.

In October, the OIC was denied permission to open a liaison office in Burma after the President's Office announced that “the opening of the OIC office will not be allowed as it is contradictory to the aspirations of the people.”

The Saudi-based OIC, an association of 56 Islamic states promoting Muslim solidarity in economic, social, and political affairs, requested an official explanation from the government, which announced its decision following widespread demonstrations against the proposed OIC office by Buddhist monks in Burma.

Leave a Reply