AL chief condemned violence against Rohingya Muslims

CAIRO - 6 Sep 2017: Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit vehemently condemned escalating violence against the minority Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

In a press release on Wednesday, Abul Gheit called on the authorities in Myanmar to shoulder responsibility and halt violations against Muslims as soon as possible.

He called for investigating the violations committed against Rohingya Muslims and hold those responsible accountable.

Abul Gheit referred to reports, including that of the United Nations, which raised concerns of Arab and Muslim people.

The United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, has appealed to Myanmar to end the violence that has led more than 120,000 Rohingya people to flee in the last two weeks, which he warned was “creating a situation that can destabilize the region”.

The unrest has raised fears of a humanitarian crisis in overstretched border camps, with another 400,000 of the Muslim ethnic minority estimated to be trapped in conflict zones in western Myanmar since more “clearance operations” by security forces in Rakhine state began last month.

The UN announced on Tuesday that the number of Rohingya to have reached Bangladesh in recent days was estimated to be 123,600. Up to 15,000 Rohingya refugees are expected to cross the Naf river into Bangladesh each day this week, joining the tens of thousands already taking shelter in overcrowded camps and makeshift settlements.

Aid groups say supplies are rapidly falling while medical clinics are overwhelmed by a 40-50% increase in patients, some with serious injuries