Rohingya crisis among worst tragedies in modern times, senior Turkish diplomat says

DAILY SABAH

DAILY SABAH WITH AA ISTANBUL
Diplomacy
Oct 21, 2020

Rohingya refugee children sit on relief supplies at Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia, Bangladesh, Oct. 15, 2020. (AFP Photo)

The Rohingya crisis is among the gravest tragedies in modern times, a senior Turkish diplomat said Tuesday.

In a ministerial committee meeting on the persecuted Muslim group held by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Deputy Foreign Minister Yavuz Selim Kıran underlined that the U.N. Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the matter had recorded incidents in Myanmar involving "genocidal intentions." 

Noting that Turkey has been maintaining efforts to keep up awareness of the issue in the international community, Kıran said via video link that Ankara would never abandon the Rohingya.

He asserted that the group should be allowed to return to their homeland, adding that if this is not possible, they should at least be allowed to go somewhere they prefer.

Stressing the importance of the OIC's role, he said the body should continue its international efforts to keep Myanmar under pressure for a peaceful solution to the problem.

Kıran added that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had given special importance to the matter, calling on OIC members to stand for the search for justice and prove to the world that Rohingya Muslims are not alone.

Last month, addressing the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA), Erdoğan said the Kashmir conflict is key to stability and peace in South Asia.

"Steps taken following the abolition of the special status of (Indian-administered) Jammu-Kashmir further complicated the problem," the president said, referring to a controversial step taken in August 2019.

"We are in favor of solving this issue through dialogue, within the framework of the U.N. resolutions and especially in line with the expectations of the people of Kashmir," he added.

Kıran also called member states to increase their financial contributions to the case on the Rohingya genocide, which is currently being heard at the International Court of Justice (ICT) while maintaining relations with Myanmar to sustain relief efforts for the Muslim group.

The Rohingya, described by the United Nations as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community in August 2017, pushing the number of persecuted people in Bangladesh above 1.2 million.

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