French FM, Kofi Annan Discuss Burmese Muslims

State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi has come under pressure for failing to speak up for the rights of the much-maligned Rohingya.

Paris, 09 Rabiul akhir 1438/08 January 2017 (MINA) – Fench Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault late Friday contacted former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan concerning the plight of the Rohingya Muslim population being persecuted in Rakhine (Arakan) State, to the west of Burma.

Ayrault and Annan discussed “the means for the international community to act in the face of this drama” for the Muslim population, KUNA reported, citing a statement issued here on Saturday.

Ayrault reiterated his support for Annan’s Commission and the two men agreed to stay in close contact on this issue.

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Annan has been appointed as President of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, where the Rohingya Muslims are under severe threat from ethnic attacks that are being tolerated and possibly encouraged by Burmese authorities.

Earlier this week, France expressed “deep concern” about the situation for the Rohingya amid reports of genocide by mainly Buddhist militias and forced evictions of Muslims from Rakhine. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)