UN committee urges Myanmar to give citizenship to Rohingya

Those voting "no'' included Myanmar's close neighbor, China, as well as Russia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos.

By: AP
United Nations | Updated: November 16, 2017 10:42 PM IST

1 min read

Rohingya crisis: UNSC members to visit Rakhine state today

On the repatriation of refugees, the official said that both Myanmar and Bangladesh are close to reaching an agreement on a process for voluntary repatriations of displaced persons. Reuters

A key U.N. committee has overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on Myanmar’s authorities to end military operations against Rohingya Muslims, ensure their voluntary return from Bangladesh and grant them “full citizenship rights.”

The General Assembly’s human rights committee approved the resolution sponsored by the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation by a vote of 135-10 with 26 abstentions on Thursday. Those voting “no” included Myanmar’s close neighbor, China, as well as Russia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos.

The resolution now goes to the 193-member General Assembly for a final vote in December where its approval is virtually certain.

Saudi Arabia’s U.N. Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi spoke on behalf of the OIC and said “another inhumane scene” of religious hatred is unfolding in Myanmar, forcing nearly 620,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh.

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