Rohingyas are an ethnic Muslim group from predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, a Southeast Asian nation known formerly in the West as Burma. The Myanmar government denies citizenship to the Rohingya, treating them as undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh. Numerous Rohingya people have fled Myanmar to escape persecution to Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, often at the hands of smugglers.
"Not only are the Rohingya Muslims deprived of their most basic rights which include the right to a territory and a government that supports them, they are also subject to atrocities and inhumane behaviors on a daily basis… I hope that the international community and the relevant UN mechanisms… act swiftly and take essential steps towards allaying international concern about the situation of Rohingya Muslims," Zarif said in a letter.
He added that the situation of the Rohingya Muslim community was deteriorating.
"This situation, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and runs counter to the most fundamental principles enshrined in human-right documents, is a matter of deep concern for the international community and Muslims all over the world," Zarif stressed.
The letter comes ahead of the January 19 emergency meeting of foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) states in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the Rohingya crisis.
