Bangladesh: Rohingya baby named after Turkish president

By Dildar Baykan

ANKARA

A Rohingya baby born at a Turkish field hospital in Bangladesh was named after the Turkish president on Friday.

The Turkish Embassy in Dhaka shared a picture of the newborn baby on its official Twitter account.

“Recep Tayyip, the first Rohingya baby, born by section at the Turkish field hospital in Cox’s Bazar, said hello to the world today into the arms of Turkish medical staff.”

The field hospital established by the Turkish Health Ministry in Cox's Bazaar city began admitting patients in February.

"Rohingya refugees in the region have great regard for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan," said Mohammad, chief physician at the hospital.

That is why the happy family named their baby after him, he added.

Hospital staff said the baby and the mother are in good health.

So far, 10,000 patients have been treated at the hospital.

Turkey provides humanitarian help to Rohingya Muslims through various institutions and organizations such as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Turkish Red Crescent, Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).

Since Aug. 25, 2017, more than 750,000 refugees, mostly children women, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community, according to Amnesty International.

The refugees are fleeing a military operation in which security forces and Buddhist mobs have killed men, women and children, looted and torched Rohingya villages.

At least 9,000 Rohingya were killed in Rakhine state from Aug. 25 to Sept. 24 last year, according to Doctors Without Borders.

In a report published on December 12, 2017, the global humanitarian organization said the deaths of 71.7 percent or 6,700 Rohingya were caused by violence. They include 730 children below the age of five.

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

The UN documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by security personnel.

In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.