ECR Group MEP Amjad Bashir has secured an extraordinary debate in the European Parliament into the ongoing persecution of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims.

ECR Group MEP Amjad Bashir has secured an extraordinary debate in the European Parliament into the ongoing persecution of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims.

The crisis, described by UK Prime Minister Theresa May as the “inhuman destruction of Rohingya people”, will be discussed by a full session of the Parliament on 12th December and a resolution for further action voted on by MEPs. Mr Bashir is delighted to have secured the debate, which he called for yesterday in an impassioned plea to Parliament President Antonio Tajani. He hopes it will lead to the European Union arranging an inter-governmental summit in a bid to end the slaughter and persecution.

Mr Bashir said:

“I am very grateful that the parliament’s authorities have heeded my request and granted time for a debate.

“This reflects the urgency of this crisis and the seriousness with which the EU must respond. I sincerely hope that this can quickly bring about an inter-governmental summit because in my mind that is the only way to halt the bloodshed.”

In September Mr Bashir travelled to refugee camps in Bangladesh to meet Rohingya survivors. His latest call for action has been prompted by a Sky News report revealing continued suffering in Myanmar.

“Hundreds of thousands have escaped Myanmar, hundreds of thousands are still trapped,” he said. “Babies are being born on the beach. The lucky ones will be put on a boat to Bangladesh, the rest will be left to die.

“For the sake of humanity, we must lead the way forward.”