The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is beginning proceedings to hear Myanmar’s preliminary objections to a genocide case brought against it over a brutal 2017 crackdown by the military on the mostly Muslim Rohingya. The proceedings, which start Monday, have been given added urgency and complicated by the coup that took place in Myanmar a little more than a year ago. The case was filed by The Gambia with the backing of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation after more than 700,000 Rohingya fled into neighboring Bangladesh amid reports the Myanmar military burned entire villages and carried out “large-scale” killings, gang rape, and other abuses.
A United Nations investigation found the crackdown had been carried out with “genocidal intent” and recommended that Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing and five generals be prosecuted. The National Unity Government announced last week that it was withdrawing the objections and wanted the ICJ to proceed to the merits of the case. It has said UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, who was appointed by Aung San Suu Kyi’s government and remains in office, is “the only person authorized to engage with the Court on behalf of Myanmar.” The UN General Assembly’s credentials committee in December said Kyaw Moe Tun can remain in his post until it decides who should represent Myanmar. Rohingya and rights groups say despite the issue of representation, the case has gained added urgency because of the crackdown on the anti-coup movement since February 1, 2021. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which has been tracking developments, says more than 1,560 people have been killed since the generals seized power, and that violence has also increased in ethnic minority areas.
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