Iran urges intl. organizations to investigate killings in Myanmar

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on Monday called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international organizations to investigate the massacre of Muslims in Myanmar.    “Respecting followers of religions and preparing the ground in such a way that religious and ethnic minorities would be able to use their civil rights is an accepted principle in all schools of thought, and it is expected that the government of Myanmar will pave the way for national unity and cohesion and (the upholding of) Muslims’ rights in the country and help prevent any use of force and humanitarian disaster,” Mehmanparast stated.      In addition, during his regular press briefing on Tuesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said, “Unfortunately, unpleasant incidents are taking place in Myanmar that have led to the killing of a number of Muslims. The Foreign Ministry seriously advises the government of Myanmar to respect the rights of the minorities.”    According to unofficial reports, more than 20,000 Muslims have been killed, tortured, and displaced by the extremist Buddhists in Burma’s Rakhine province, the worst sectarian killing in this part of the world over the years, the Pakistan Observer reported on July 13.