OIC concerned over Trump’s order on refugees
By Kamila Aliyeva
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN, expressed grave concern at US President Donald Trump’s executive order banning nationals of 7 OIC member states from the United States and excluding those holding valid visas and permanent residence cards from entry.
The OIC General Secretariat is sure that this decision will further complicate the already grave challenges facing refugees, Trend reports.
Trump's order bars citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the U.S. for the next 90 days. The bans, though temporary, took effect immediately, causing havoc and confusion for would-be travellers with passports from these countries.
The seven Muslim-majority countries targeted in President Trump's executive order on immigration were initially identified as "countries of concern" under the Obama administration.
“As a result of this ban many of those fleeing war and persecution have been adversely and unjustly affected,” the OIC reminded. “Such selective and discriminatory acts will only serve to embolden the radical narratives of extremists and will provide further fuel to the advocates of violence and terrorism at a critical time when the OIC has been engaged with all partners, including the U.S., to combat extremism and terrorism in all their forms and manifestations.”
The OIC called upon the United States government to reconsider this blanket decision and maintain its moral obligation to provide leadership and hope at a time of great uncertainty and unrest in the world.
European leaders, the United Nations and international groups have condemned Trump’s order . The UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration called on the Trump administration to continue offering asylum to people fleeing war and persecution, saying its resettlement programme was vital.
The International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid and refugee assistance group, called Trump's decision to suspend refugee admissions "harmful and hasty" .
Meanwhile, the EU is concerned that some Member States may follow the example of Donald Trump and restrict migration policies, RIA Novosti reported with the reference to a diplomatic source in Brussels.
“The EU institutions have concerns that a number of EU member states may follow the decision of Donald Trump,” the source said not specifying which EU states he had in mind.
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