AlHijjah 8, 1433, Oct 24, 2012, SPA -- Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu strongly denounced the reported riots which erupted in Minbyar Township, Rakhine State in Western Myanmar leaving three people dead and causing the destruction of houses of worship and more than 400 homes. The Secretary General urged the Government of Myanmar to take all necessary steps to end the violence undertaken by some gangs against the Rohingya minority and restore calm to the region. This outbreak of violence is a continuation of events that started in June 2012 and has caused the deaths of scores and the displacement of thousands. Reports of forced evacuation, targeted violence against women, including rape and the destruction of home and villages are deplorable. The Secretary General called on the international community to urge the Myanmar Government to ensure that the situation on the ground in the State of Rakhine does not escalate and put the lives of innocent civilians at risk. The Myanmar authorities should reinstate the legitimate rights of the Rohingya Muslims including their right of citizenship.
