What’s new? The Myanmar military’s 1 February coup d’état brought a sudden halt to the country’s democratic transition and showed disdain for the will of the people, overwhelmingly expressed in the November 202o elections which returned the National League for Democracy government in a landslide.
Why does it matter? The coup has arrested a decade of political and economic liberalisation. It has prompted almost universal outrage from Myanmar’s people, who have taken to streets across the country to demand its reversal. The military is unlikely to back down, and the risk of deadly violence against protesters is high.
Normal text size
Very large text size
Myanmar has descended into chaos since a junta seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1. Armed forces and police have fired on demonstrators, who appear undeterred by curfews and a nationwide state of emergency, but the military have also entered shops and houses to attack people. The country is on the brink of collapse and civil war.
More than 500 have been killed, with children among the victims. Thousands of people have been detained, including leaders of the former civilian government. Air strikes have been launched against ethnic minorities and the UNâs special envoy to Myanmar has warned of a possible âmulti-dimensional catastrophe in the heart of Asiaâ.
Phnom Penh Declaration on a More Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient ASEAN Tourism - ASEAN asean.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from asean.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Rohingya Genocide Case
Diplomatic Correspondent
5th February, 2021 10:23:31
Yet in another evil attempt to delay the trial proceedings, Myanmar has challenged the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over genocide charges for its atrocities against Rohingyas in Rakhine state.
The case was brought by The Gambia in 2019 after a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar’s western state of Rakhine in 2017 forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas to flee across the border to Bangladesh.
The objection was submitted to the ICJ at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands) on January 20 last, less than two weeks before the Myanmar military staged a coup and detained the country’s civilian leaders.
Genocide: Myanmar raises objection over Gambia’s eligibility in filling case at ICJ
In this Reuters file photo taken on September 11, 2017, smoke is seen on the Myanmar border as Rohingya refugees walk on the shore after crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border by boat through the Bay of Bengal, in Shah Porir Dwip, Bangladesh. Star Online Report Star Online Report
Myanmar has raised objection over Gambia s eligibility in filing the November 2019 case that alleged that Myanmar s atrocities against the Rohingya in Rakhine state violate the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
The objection was submitted to the International Court of Justice on January 20, 2021, more than a week before the military took control of Myanmar.