No: 271, 28 August 2017, Press Release Regarding the Events in Northern Rakhine State of Myanmar

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Dışişleri Bakanlığı 29.08.2017

We are deeply concerned that the operations of Myanmar security forces following the attacks on the night of 25 August in northern Rakhine State have led to a serious humanitarian crisis. We condemn the dispropotionate use of force by the security forces which resulted in the killing of hundreds of people and the displacement of thousands more.

We conveyed our concerns to the Myanmar authorities in this regard, stressing the importance that the security operations do not harm civilians and create new displacements, and that unimpeded humanitarian access is ensured.

We conveyed to the authorities in Bangladesh our expectations that the necessary facilitation is provided to the Rohingya attempting to cross over into Bangladesh from Myanmar, and our proposal to assist Bangladesh in this regard.

We expressed our expectation to the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take immediate action. We are also contacting member states of the Executive Committee of the Organization.

We raised the ongoing tragedy with the UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, the President of the UN General Assembly and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and expressed our expectation for their involvement.

We also raised the issue with the United Sates and are in contact with the countries in the region including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

We will actively continue our efforts towards ending the upsetting and concerning developments facing the Rohingya Muslims.