MYANMAR MUST GIVE CITIZENSHIP TO ROHINGYA MUSLIMS: UN

Myanmar Must Give Citizenship to Rohingya Muslims : UN (Photo : Press Tv)" width="300" height="168" /> Myanmar Must Give Citizenship to Rohingya Muslims : UN (Photo : Press Tv)

Naypyidaw, 29 Muharram 1436 H/22 November 2014 M (MINA) – The UN has approved a resolution calling on Myanmar to grant full citizenship to its persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, piling up pressure on the country to cancel a controversial identity plan.

The UN General Assembly’s Human Rights Committee adopted the non-binding resolution by consensus on Friday to pressure the Southeast Asian country to change its approach towards the Rohingya Muslims, according to Press Tv reports quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA), Saturday.

Myanmar officials want to categorize 1.3 million of Rohingyas as Bengalis, implying they are illegal migrants from neighboring Bangladesh. Those who reject the identity will likely be detained or deported.

The language in the resolution referring to “attacks against Muslims and other religious minorities” is misleading, Myanmar’s Ambassador to the UN Tim Kyaw said in reaction to the UN move on Friday.

Also Read: Nearly 1.5 Million Afghans Forced to Return from Neighboring Countries

Reports say hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas in Myanmar are suffering from a severe shortage of food and drinking water. Humanitarian aid deliveries have slowed down in Rakhine state, where many Rohingyas live, due to an escalation of violence.

The UN recognizes Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims as one of the world’s most persecuted communities.

Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar have been persecuted and faced torture, neglect, and repression since the country’s independence in 1948.

The Myanmar government has been repeatedly criticized by human rights groups for failing to protect the Rohingya Muslims. (T/P002/R03)

Also Read: Flash Floods Hit Kashmir, 20 Killed

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

Also Read: Australia to Recognize Palestine at UN General Assembly in September