01/30/2020
Myanmar: New attacks against the Rohingya
Myanmar ignores International Court of Justice (Press Release)
Jasna Causevic, expert on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility for Protection at the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP), stated: "If the international community is willing to accept this behavior without taking action, the ICJ's rulings will be ridiculed. The government of Myanmar must comply with the ICJ's ruling and bring those responsible to justice." Picture: United to end Genocide via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).
The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) criticizes the conduct of the Myanmar government. On January 23, 2020, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had unequivocally called on the Southeast Asian country to stop the genocide and other serious crimes against the Rohingya and to effectively protect the Muslim minority.
Shortly afterwards, on the night of January 24, the Myanmar army carried out an artillery attack against the Rohingya village of Kin Taung in Rakhaing State. Two women were killed, one of whom was pregnant. Seven other people were injured and taken to the community hospital in Buthidaung. The London-based human rights organization Burma Human Rights Network reported that there had been no clashes between the army and the Arakan Army at that time. On January 26, the army also allegedly destroyed the Sanyin Pin refugee camp near Myebon, displacing the refugees living there, without giving any reason.
Jasna Causevic, expert on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility for Protection at the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP), stated: "If the international community is willing to accept this behavior without taking action, the ICJ's rulings will be ridiculed. The government of Myanmar must comply with the ICJ's ruling and bring those responsible to justice."
The ICJ had sent a clear warning to the Myanmar military and government. Now, it must be enforced. "The German Federal Government must also do its part to put an immediate end to the crimes against humanity and the genocide crime against Rohingya," said Causevic. "Instead, we are being asked what to do. The hopes of the Rohingya for protection and peace must not be disappointed again!"
As the conflict between the Myanmar army and the Arakan Army continues, it is not only the Rohingya who are exposed to threats: everyone living in Rakhaing State is threatened by violence from the warring parties. The government of the multi-ethnic state must protect the minorities – as demanded by the highest UN court in The Hague.
Header image: United to End Genocide via Flickr
