Myanmar tells the ICJ its 2017 Rohingya crackdown was a counter-terrorism operation, dismissing Gambia’s genocide allegations as unsubstantiated.
THE HAGUE: Myanmar has dismissed allegations it committed genocide against the Rohingya minority as “unsubstantiated”.
At the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Myanmar defended its 2017 military crackdown as a “counter-terrorism operation” against insurgents.
“This case will be decided on the basis of proven facts, not unsubstantiated allegations,” Ko Ko Hlaing, a minister in the president’s office, told the court.
He argued the clearance operations were a military response to attacks that killed security personnel.
“Myanmar was not obliged to remain idle and allow terrorists to have free reign of northern Rakhine state,” Hlaing said.
The Gambia has accused Myanmar of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention with its actions.
Judges are hearing three weeks of evidence before deciding if a breach occurred.
A final ruling could take months or years and, while unenforceable, would heap political pressure on Myanmar.
“A finding of genocide would place an indelible stain on my country and its people,” Hlaing stated.
Earlier, Gambian representatives presented evidence of mass rape, murder, and torture.
They argued the Rohingya were “targeted for destruction” with genocidal intent.
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, where 1.17 million now live in camps.
Hlaing said Myanmar is committed to achieving the repatriation of those in the camps.
The proceedings are being closely watched for potential parallels to South Africa’s case against Israel over Gaza.
The ICJ hearings will conclude on 29 January.