RESOLUTIONS ON MUSLIM COMMUNITIES AND MINORITIES

IN NON-OIC MEMBER STATES

 

ADOPTED BY THE THIRTY-THIRD SESSION OF THE  ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

OF FOREIGN MINISTERS

(SESSION ON HARMONY OF RIGHTS, FREEDOMS AND JUSTICE)

BAKU, REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

 

23-25 JUMADA AL-AWWAL 1427H

19-21 JUNE 2006

 

 

Resolution No. 1/33-MM

On Safeguarding the Rights of Muslim Communities and Minorities in Non-OIC Member States

Resolution No. 2/33-MM

On the Question of Muslims in Southern Philippines

Resolution No. 3/33-MM

On the Situation of the Turkish Muslim Minority of Western Thrace, Greece.

Resolution No. 4/33-MM

On the Situation of the Muslim Minority in Myanmar

 

 

RESOLUTION No. 1/33-MM

 

On safeguarding the rights of Muslim Communities and Minorities In Non-OIC Member States

 

 

The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, (Session on Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan  from 23 to 25 Jumada Awal, 1427H (19-21  June 2006),

 

         Recalling Resolution No. 1/32-MM on Safeguarding the Rights of Muslim Communities and Minorities adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) (Session of Integration and Development) held in Sana’a, Republic of Yemen, on 21-23 Jumada Al Awal 1426H (28-30 June 2005), and all the  resolutions adopted by the Ministerial and Summit Conferences in this regard;

 

Having considered the Report of the Secretary-General on the Situation of Muslim Communities and Minorities (Document No. ICFM/33-2006/MM/SG.REP.1);

 

1.                  Calls on all States in their fight against so-called “terrorism” to respect the rights of minorities and communities in non-OIC Member States, not to infringe upon their religious freedom and faith, not to subject them to detention or arbitrary imprisonment, and to give them a fair trial to defend themselves.

 

2.                  Urges all states of the world not to take any arbitrary measures against Islamic charitable societies by closing them down or restraining their freedom of action thus depriving millions of Muslims in need of charitable assistance.

 

3.                  Emphasizes the serious concern of all Member States at the worsening situation of Muslims in Western countries since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.

    

4.                  Affirms that the measures that have indiscriminately affected many charitable and relief works societies throughout the world and led to stopping their activities in many countries are arbitrary measures and have no relation with combating terrorism. The conference calls for the abolition of these measures so that these societies can resume their assistance and relief to Muslims in need around the world.

 

5.                  Stresses the need for regular cooperation and coordination between the Member States for the protection of the human rights of the Muslim communities in non-OIC Member States, particularly with regard to their right to religious freedom.

 

6.                  Calls on the General Secretariat to coordinate its efforts with those of the international community with a view to discussing the problems of Muslim charitable societies and considering the possibility of organizing an international conference to find solutions to the difficulties and problems presently faced in their work, in coordination with the United Nations.

 

7.                  Expresses its deep concern at the condition of the Muslim minority in India and urges the Government of India to take effective and immediate measures to end all violence and policies of discrimination against Muslims and in this context, urges the Secretary General to report on the situation of Muslim minority in India at the next ICFM.

 

8.                  Invites the Secretary General to maintain his contacts and efforts with the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand for the benefit of achieving just solutions to the problems of the Muslims in Southern Thailand, within the framework of dialogue and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand.

 

9.                  Calls on the Secretary General to give special attention to the conditions of Muslims in East Turkistan (Senkiang) in China and to examine the possibility of working out a formula for cooperation with the Chinese Government to evolve appropriate solutions for their difficulties and causes, and most particularly their civil and religious freedoms.

 

10.              Invites the Member States and the General Secretariat to follow up the implementation of the resolutions issued by the Governmental Expert Group on the Affairs of Muslim communities and minorities in Non-OIC Member States, and prompts the said Expert Group to keep up its regular action.

 

11.              Calls on the Member States to continue their support for the economic and social development drives and to encourage Islamic savings and investment institutions in the non-OIC countries of Muslim minorities, including the development of Islamic universities and institutions and the introduction of modern sciences in their educational curricula.

 

12.              Requests the Secretary-General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

 


 

RESOLUTION No. 2/33-MM

 

ON QUESTION OF MUSLIMS IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

 

       

The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, (Session on Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan  from 23 to 25 Jumada Awal, 1427H (19-21  June 2006),

 

         Bearing in mind the resolutions of the OIC and the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee of Eight on the question of Muslims in  Southern Philippines;

 

         Recalling the Tripoli Agreement signed on 23 December 1976, under the auspices of the OIC, between the Government of the Republic of Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which the signatory parties agreed to consider as the basis for a permanent, just and comprehensive political solution to the question of Muslims in Southern Philippines within the framework of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines;

 

         Paying tribute to the role of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, under the wise leadership of H.E. Colonel Moamar Gaddafi, in achieving the Tripoli Agreement of 1976 and in hosting the first preliminary talks in Tripoli from 3 to 4 October 1992 and the Unity and Solidarity Meeting of the MNLF leaders on 6 April 2003;

 

         Also paying tribute to the role of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in facilitating the peace process culminating in the signing of the Final Peace Agreement on 2 September 1996, and expressing satisfaction for the efforts of the Ministerial Committee of Eight in this regard;

 

         Recalling that in accordance with the two Memoranda of Understanding by which the GRP and the MNLF concluded two rounds of preliminary talks, held successively in Tripoli, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya on 3-4 October 1992 and in Cipanas, Western Java, Republic of Indonesia on 14-16 April, 1993, the two parties agreed to conduct official peace negotiations for the full implementation of the letter and spirit of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement;

 

         Recalling also the results of the four rounds of formal peace talks held in Jakarta, Indonesia, including the subsidiary mechanisms, between the GRP and the MNLF, through facilities made available by the OIC Committee of Eight;

 

         Noting that the gains achieved through the Peace Agreement concluded between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the MNLF and the cooperation obtaining between them need to be generalized and maximized to achieve comprehensive peace and development for the benefit of the people of Bangsamoro.

 

         Taking  note also of the report of the Committee of Eight which had convened a meeting on the periphery of the 32nd Session of the ICFM in Sana’a, Republic of Yemen, on 29th June 2005 and announced on the occasion the intention of the Government of the Republic of Philippines to complete the implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement before the advent of the Tenth anniversary of its signing on 2nd September 2006.  

 

         Reaffirming resolution No.2/32-MM on the Question of Muslims in Southern Philippines adopted by the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, in Sana’a, Republic of Yemen on 28-30 June 2005;

 

         Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the Question of Muslims in Southern Philippines along with its annexed report of the Fact-Finding Mission which visited the Philippines from 17 to 24 May 2006 (Document No. ICFM/33-2006/MM/SG.REP.2) ;

 

         Having considered the report of the Fact-Finding Mission of the Representatives of the Ministerial  Committee of the Eight of the Organization of Islamic Conference dated 2nd June 2006.

 

1.                  Renews its support for the Peace Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front initialled on 30 August 1996 in Jakarta and officially signed on 2 September 1996 in Manila.

 

2.                  Calls on both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front to preserve the gains achieved since the signing of the Peace Agreement and expresses its concern over the stalled implementation of the commitments enshrined in the 1996 Agreement and the gap between the stands of the two concerned parties, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front, on the results achieved as to the Agreement’s implementation.

 

3.                  Pays tribute to the Secretary General for the action he has taken in sending a Fact-Finding Mission to Southern Philippines led by Mr. Sayed Kassem El-Masry, Advisor to the Secretary General, which undertook together with the Ambassadors of the Member Countries of the Committee of 8 stationed in Manila, a successful visit to the Republic of the Philippines appreciates the efforts  for the said expanded mission in discharging its assignment, commends the report it prepared which is attached to the Secretary General’s report to this Conference, and endorses the observations and recommendations included in the report.

 

4.                  Welcomes the substance of the joint communiqué issued in Manila by the Philippine Government and the OIC delegation on 22nd May  2006, and appreciates H.E. President Gloriaf Macapagal Arroyo for receiving the Head of the OIC Mission and his accompanying delegation and for the exchange of views undertaken on the conclusions reached by the Mission, particularly the suspension  of  military operations in the island of Sulu, achieved during the mission’s visit to the island. Appreciates further the positive response of Her Excellency to the said appeal of the Secretary General to grant a humanitarian and dignified treatment to Mr. Missuari. 

 

5.       Calls for an urgent high level tripartite meeting between the O.I.C., the Government of the Republic of Philippine (GRP) and the MNLF to be held in Jeddah as soon as practicable during 2006 to review the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement and make its assessment of the progress made and the obstacles facing its full implementation. The tripartite meeting is also mandated to draw up modalities for a new Joint Monitoring Committee to observe the implementation of the peace treaty and verify complaints in this regard and facilitate agreed solutions to such complaints.  

 

6.       Appeals to the Government of Philippines to expedite the legal process regarding Prof. Nur Missuari’s case and express the hope that this process will lead to his early release to enable him to participate in the fourth coming tripartite meeting, continue his constructive role in leading the Bangsamoro people and achieve its aspiration for security, stability and development.

 

7.       Calls upon the Government of the Philippines to consider the recommendations contained in the two reports of the Parliament’s Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, issued on 18 May and 19 September 2005, regarding the charges of human rights violations in Sulu against the Armed Forces officers, including what was known as the massacre of 1 February 2005 (the murder of Imam Badiwan and his family) and that perpetrators be brought to justice.

 

8.       Further calls upon the GRP to continue to address the grave environmental problems of and around lake Lanao with a view to arrive at a speedy remedy for all its consequences.

 

9.       Urges the MNLF and the MILF and all the other national components to unify their ranks and rally their efforts and act jointly for the Bangsamoro people’s peace and development, and requests the Secretary General to contribute his good offices for the achievement of their unity and reconciliation.

 

10.     Invites the Secretary General to appoint a special representative to follow-up the efforts of restoring peace to the Southern Philippines, in collaboration with the parties concerned.

 

11.       Urges the Member States, subsidiary organs, affiliated and specialized institutions as well as charitable Islamic organizations in the Member States to increase their medical, humanitarian, economic, financial and technical assistance for the development and rehabilitation of Southern Philippines through the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in order to accelerate the completion of the social and economic development.

 

12.     Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.


 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION No. 3/33-MM

 

ON THE SITUATION OF THE TURKISH MUSLIM MINORITY

 OF WESTERN THRACE, GREECE

 

 

The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, (Session on Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan  from 23 to 25 Jumada Awwal, 1427H (19-21  June 2006),

 

Recalling the "Resolution No.3/32-MM on the Situation of the Turkish Muslim Minority of Western Thrace, Greece" adopted at the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Sana on 28-30 June 2005,

Reaffirming its commitment to Muslim communities and minorities living in non-OIC Member States;

Realizing that the Muslims in Greece, in general, and the Turkish Muslim Minority in Western Thrace in particular are an integral part of the Muslim World;

Recalling the principles and objectives of the OIC Charter, the Resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit Conferences, Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers and international conventions, declarations and agreements calling for observance of human rights, namely political, social, cultural and economic rights and freedom of worship, and most particularly the Lausanne Treaty which guarantees the rights of the Turkish Muslim Minority in Western Thrace such as to use of their Turkish language, to practice their religious rites and to elect freely their representatives in all fields;

Further recalling the UN General Assembly Declaration on Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief;

Realizing that the basic rights and freedoms of the Turkish Muslim Minority in Western Thrace are defined and protected by multilateral and bilateral Treaties and Agreements to which Greece is a party;

Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the issue of the Turkish Muslim Minority of Western Thrace in Greece (Document No.OIC/ICFM-33/2006/MM/SG-REP.3);

  1. Invites once again Greece to take all measures to respect the rights and identity of the Turkish   Muslim   Minority   in   Western   Thrace   emanating   from   the   bilateral   and international agreements.

  2. Demands that Greece recognize the   elected Muftis of Xanthi and Komotini as the official Muftis.

  3. Calls on Greece to take the  necessary  steps  for  the  election  of  the administration boards of the Waqfs by the  Turkish Muslim Minority with a view to ensuring their self-governance, enable the elected Muftis to supervise the properties of the Waqfs and put an end to the expropriation of the Waqfs' properties and imposition of excessive taxes upon them.

  4. Urges Greece to reinstate the citizenship rights of tens of thousands of Turkish Minority members who were stripped of their citizenship under the now-repealed article of the Article 19 of the Greek Citizenship Law No.3370/1955.

  5. Regrets the ban imposed by Greek Supreme Court on the activities of the Turkish Muslim Minority's oldest non-governmental organization, the "Turkish Union of Xanthi" on  the  grounds  that its  title bears  the  word "Turkish",   and  considers  this  as  a discrimination on the basis of ethnic origin.

  6. Requests the Secretary General to inquire the authenticity of the continuing reports about the destruction of Mosques and Muslim cemeteries and present a report thereon to the Thirty -fourth session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

  7. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers".

 

 

RESOLUTION No. 4/33-MM

 

ON THE MUSLIM MINORITY IN MYANMAR

 

The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, (Session on Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan  from 23 to 25 Jumada Awal, 1427H (19-21  June 2006),

                  

Reaffirming Resolution No. 4/32-MM adopted by the 31st Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) and all the Islamic ministerial and summit resolutions;

 

Having considered the Report of the Secretary-General on the Muslim Minority in Myanmar (Document No. ICFM/33-2006/MM/SG.REP.4);

 

  1. Urges Member States to deploy their efforts in conjunction with those of the international community and the United Nations in order to restore democracy in Myanmar, and to commit the Government of Myanmar to the return of all refugees displaced from their homes, particularly the Muslims of the Arakan region of Myanmar.  

  2. Urges the Government of Myanmar to put an end to its displacement, and exile of the Muslims of Arakan and its attempts to eradicate their Islamic culture and identity, and calls on the Government authorities to observe the international and private judicial texts on human rights.   

  3. Appeals to Muslim leaders and institutions and civil society organizations in the Union of Myanmar to combine their efforts and work in coordination and cooperation with opposition parties in order to achieve the aspirations of the people of Myanmar to freedom, justice, equality, and democracy.

  4. Requests the OIC Secretary-General to consider the possibility of dispatching a delegation to visit Myanmar on a fact finding mission to study the condition of the Muslims of Arakan and also to consider in this connection sending an OIC delegation to Myanmar’s neighbouring countries and ASEAN countries to discuss this issue and study adequate modalities aimed at ameliorating their condition. 

  5. Requests the Secretary-General to follow up the situation of the Muslim Minority in Myanmar and report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.