Speaking at the meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Rohingya, President Erdoğan said: “It is clear that the problems in the Rakhine state cannot be resolved through violence. Development and stability of the Rakhine state, the second poorest state in Myanmar, is only possible through complying with fundamental human rights.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is in New York for the 72nd Session of the U.N. General Assembly, delivered a speech at the meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Rohingya.

“MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HOLD ON TO LIFE IN MYANMAR UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES”

Noting that the humanitarian tragedy in Myanmar is not a new development, President Erdoğan said: “Over 120 thousand Muslims, who lost their homes and properties across the Rakhine state, have been trying to hold on to life for 5 years in Sittwe, the administrative capital.”

“The camps, these people live in, are in heart-breaking condition,” President Erdoğan said, underscoring that the Rohingya Muslims are faced with a far greater tragedy than the humanitarian crisis of 1978 and 1991. “We do not approve of violence no matter who it comes from or in whose name it is committed. We condemn the attacks against the Myanmarese security forces. However, it is also wrong to hold an entire community responsible for the attacks. Unfortunately, we see that collective punishment was resorted to in the wake of the incident.”

“IT IS CLEAR THAT THE PROBLEMS IN THE RAKHINE STATE CANNOT BE RESOLVED THROUGH VIOLENCE”

“In the last few weeks, 370 thousand Rohinya have been forced to leave the area and take refuge in Bangladesh. Nearly two third of the total Muslim population in some districts in the north of the Rakhine state have left the country,” President Erdoğan said, adding that houses and villages there that belonged to Muslims have been set on fire and all properties have been looted.

Underlining that the situation resembles an ‘ethnic cleansing campaign’, as stated by the UN, President Erdoğan said the picture in the field and photographs, published by media outlets, clearly showed that bitter truth.

“It is clear that the problems in the Rakhine state cannot be resolved through violence. Development and stability of the Rakhine state, the second poorest state in Myanmar, is only possible through complying with fundamental human rights. It is the most fundamental duty of the Myanmarese government and security forces to ensure the safety of all civilians’ lives and properties without any discrimination. First, obstacles before access to humanitarian assistance should be removed. It is of great importance that aid be delivered to all those in need and displaced persons safely return to their homes. We also want right violations, exiles, radical groups’ violent acts against Rohingya Muslims to end. We expect Myanmar to immediately take concrete steps on these basic topics.”

“ALL INFLUENTIAL COUNTRIES IN THE REGION SHOULD SHOULDER THE BURDEN”

Highlighting that the current situation threatens the already fragile democratic transition process in Myanmar, President Erdoğan called on all countries that have influence over the region to shoulder the burden in order to put an end to the crisis.

“If it is not prevented, the stability and future of the entire region is at risk. The latest crisis indicates that advices of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, led by Mr. Kofi Annan, should be implemented right away. We cannot expect Rohingya, who do not have citizenship, are deprived of freedom of travel and access to basic services like education and healthcare, to look to the future with hope.”

Underscoring that Turkey is determined to continue its constructive and humanitarian approach for the resolution of the issues in the Rakhine state and is ready to support all efforts to end the crisis, President Erdoğan said: “Because, delaying the solution serves the terrorist organizations that want to exploit the sufferings, the Muslims in the region are faced with. It is a threat that will pave the way for greater sufferings and destruction.”

“CHILDREN’S OUTCRY KNOWS NO DISTANCE”

President Erdoğan also said that the total amount of aid delivered to the Rakhine state exceeded $70 million and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) continues its efforts in the region despite difficulties.

“The distance between New York and Rakhine may be thousands of kilometers. However, children’s outcry, mothers’ clamor for help knows no distance. We are responsible for what we do not do as much as what we do. We should act now and put an end to this humanitarian tragedy.”

President Erdoğan ended his speech by noting that it would be appropriate to issue a declaration at the end of the meeting in order to give an efficient message to the international community.