Ko Ko Hlaing Denies Allegations at ICJ, Claiming The Gambia’s Submissions Are Based on Emotion and Lack Sufficient Evidence
January 16 | Burma Independent Voice
Ko Ko Hlaing, the representative of the coup military council, denied allegations of genocide against the Rohingya as “baseless” during today’s hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands.
In defending the case filed by The Gambia, Ko Ko Hlaing claimed that the military’s 2017 “clearance operations” were merely “counter-terrorism operations” aimed at suppressing terrorists. “This case must be decided solely on provable facts. [The Gambia’s claims] are based on emotion and lack sufficient evidence,” he told the Court.
The evidence submitted by The Gambia highlights that the military and certain Buddhist armed groups systematically engaged in mass rape of Rohingya women, indiscriminate killings, and torture.
The military’s brutal 2017 crackdown forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. Currently, approximately 1.17 million Rohingya remain trapped under dire conditions in refugee camps spanning over 8,000 acres in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
While the military council has made verbal promises to repatriate refugees, in reality, no one has been able to return due to ongoing fighting in Rakhine State. If the ICJ rules that genocide was committed, it will lead to a massive loss of international prestige for the Myanmar military and significantly increase international pressure.
The current hearings are scheduled to continue until January 29, during which judges will continue to hear testimonies and evidence.
Legal experts are monitoring this case closely, as it could serve as a precedent for South Africa’s case against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
