JEDDAH: Persecution of the Rohingya minority of Myanmar represents one of the worst examples of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said after a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh.
Persecuted because of their race, religion and origin, the Rohingya minority of Myanmar continue to suffer severe and institutionalized human rights violations on a mass scale.
These comments were made at the end of a three-day fact-finding visit to Cox Bazar, Bangladesh, by the OIC-IPHRC.
In the absence of any positive response from the Myanmar authorities to repeated IPHRC requests to undertake a fact-finding visit to Rakhine State to ascertain the human rights situation on the ground, the IPHRC undertook a visit to Cox Bazar to meet Rohingya refugees and other stakeholders to get first-hand information on the situation faced by the Rohingya in Myanmar.
The IPHRC delegation squarely condemned the egregious human rights violations committed against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, and declared it deplorable racist behavior, where a minority is abjectly discriminated against on the basis of race, religion and origin in all spheres of life, including their socio-economic and political rights.
It called upon the government of Myanmar to take firm steps to immediately end the violence against the Rohingya, bring the perpetrators of violence to justice, and take concrete steps to address the root causes of discrimination against the Rohingya through a human rights-based approach.
The commission also called on the international community in general, and OIC member states in particular, to do all they can to urge Myanmar to fulfill its international human rights obligations toward its Rohingya minority in a concrete and time-bound manner.
It urged them to extend all humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya population both internally displaced in Myanmar and those living in refugee camps in neighboring countries.
The IPHRC delegation extended its sincere appreciation to the government of Bangladesh for the unfettered access and full logistical support provided to undertake its mandated task with objectivity and neutrality.
A detailed report of the IPHRC delegation’s findings with concrete recommendations will be presented to the 45th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers for its consideration.
OIC human rights delegation urges Myanmar government to end violence against Rohingya population
OIC human rights delegation urges Myanmar government to end violence against Rohingya population
Parliamentary Foreign Vice-Minister Matsumoto to visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan
TOKYO: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto Hisashi will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Jordan from Jan. 11 to 15, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
During the visit, Matsumoto is scheduled to exchange views with government officials of Saudi Arabia and Jordan on bilateral relations as well as regional and international situations.
Matsumoto is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh on Jan. 12, according to the ministry.
A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan.
Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services
RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.
Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.
Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
- The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.
The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.
In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.
In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
Kingdom readies itself for 3 days of rain and high winds
- Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for rainfall across most parts of the Kingdom over the next three days after the National Center for Meteorology issues warnings on Thursday.
In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.
The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.
For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.
The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.
