Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday doubled down on his support to Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, signing a number of infrastructure and trade deals in his state visit to Myanmar. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Jinping also met Myanmar army chief, who is accused of overseeing a genocide against Rohingya Muslims.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-china-ink-deals-to-accelerate-belt-and-road-as-xi-courts-an-isolated-suu-kyi-275025">Myanmar, China ink deals to accelerate Belt and Road project as Xi meets Suu Kyi</a>

China reaffirmed its strong support to a nation that is isolated for its treatment to Rohingya minorities. Nearly 740,000 Rohinyas flee to Bangladesh after a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar, which is described as a genoicide by the UN investigators.&nbsp;

China "firmly supports Myanmar's efforts to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and national dignity in the international arena" and for it to advance "peace, stability and development in Rakhine State", said the joint statement released by Chinese state media.&nbsp;

Over 30 agreements were signed on the last day of Xi's visit. China now is Myanmar's largest investor.&nbsp;

Suu Kyi, whose reputation was tarnished in the West due to Rohingya crisis, said that the country will always be in China's side.&nbsp;

However, the distrust over China's intentions was apparent in Myanmar as dozens protested in Yangon against any reinstatement of a controversial Chinese-backed mega-dam.

Protesters carried signs that called for "termination" of the $3.6 billion Myitsone project.&nbsp;

The project was suspended in 2011 after a nationwide condemnation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday doubled down on his support to Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, signing a number of infrastructure and trade deals in his state visit to Myanmar.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday doubled down on his support to Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, signing a number of infrastructure and trade deals in his state visit to Myanmar. Jinping also met Myanmar army chief, who is accused of overseeing a genocide against Rohingya Muslims. Also read: Myanmar, China ink deals to accelerate Belt and Road project as Xi meets Suu Kyi China reaffirmed its strong support to a nation that is isolated for its treatment to Rohingya minorities. Nearly 740,000 Rohinyas flee to Bangladesh after a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar, which is described as a genoicide by the UN investigators. China "firmly supports Myanmar's efforts to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and national dignity in the international arena" and for it to advance "peace, stability and development in Rakhine State", said the joint statement released by Chinese state media. Over 30 agreements were signed on the last day of Xi's visit. China now is Myanmar's largest investor. Suu Kyi, whose reputation was tarnished in the West due to Rohingya crisis, said that the country will always be in China's side. However, the distrust over China's intentions was apparent in Myanmar as dozens protested in Yangon against any reinstatement of a controversial Chinese-backed mega-dam. Protesters carried signs that called for "termination" of the $3.6 billion Myitsone project. The project was suspended in 2011 after a nationwide condemnation.

China stands with Myanmar despite Rohingya backlash, inks dozens of deals

China and Myanmar inked dozens of deals on Saturday to speed up infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asian nation, as Beijing seeks to cement its hold over a neighbor increasingly isolated by the West.

But no major new projects were agreed during the two-day visit by President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinas-president-xi-jinping-arrives-in-myanmar-seeking-to-push-belt-and-road-project-274887">Xi Jinping</a>, the first of any Chinese leader in 19 years. Analysts said Myanmar was generally cautious of investments by Beijing and was also being careful ahead of elections later this year.

<img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attend a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b936b964-9b73-438b-9dc5-58e9d88424e3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2812%29_3.jpg" /> 
[ Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attend a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw, Myanmar (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Still, Xi and Myanmar leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icj-ruling-on-urgent-measures-in-rohingya-case-on-january-23-gambia-274450">Aung San Suu Kyi</a> signed 33 agreements shoring up key projects that are part of the flagship Belt and Road Initiative, China’s vision of new trade routes described as a “21st-century silk road”.

They agreed to hasten implementation of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-president-xi-jinping-to-visit-myanmar-today-with-bri-on-agenda-274811">China Myanmar Economic Corridor</a>, a giant infrastructure scheme worth billions of dollars, with agreements on railways linking southwestern China to the Indian Ocean, a deep sea-port in conflict-riven Rakhine state, a special economic zone on the border, and a new city project in the commercial capital of Yangon.

They did not address a controversial $3.6 billion Beijing-backed mega-dam, where work has been stalled since 2011, reflecting the contentiousness of Chinese investment in Myanmar, where many are uncomfortable with the sway Beijing has over its smaller neighbor.

"While a large number of different agreements have been signed, there is no Big Bang here," said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/the-lady-and-the-hague-myanmar-leader-suu-kyi-courts-home-audience-266663">Richard Horsey</a>, a Yangon-based analyst with the International Crisis Group.

"The overall impression is that Myanmar is being cautious about Chinese investment, especially ahead of elections planned later in the year, he said.

"China will be hoping that this is an incremental step towards realizing its mega-infrastructure goals and that further progress can be locked in over the coming months," he said.

Watch:&nbsp;Why China wants a foothold in Myanmar

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At a welcoming ceremony on Friday, Xi hailed a “new era” of relations between the countries.

“We are drawing a future roadmap that will bring to life bilateral relations based on brotherly and sisterly closeness in order to overcome hardships together and provide assistance to each other,” Xi said. He was scheduled to leave later on Saturday.

Suu Kyi called China “a great country playing an important role in the international affairs and the world economy” but urged for economic projects that avoid environmental degradation and benefit locals.

<img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the bilateral meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a9ad1453-34a0-4bf7-8271-6bda13edfddd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_16.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the bilateral meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Xi also met leaders from political parties in ethnic areas riven with civil conflict where Chinese infrastructure projects are underway.

Sai Kyaw Nyunt, joint-secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, one of the ethnic politicians invited to meet Xi, said it was only a handshake.

“Our country is very small and powerless,” he said, “So they treat us that way.”

<img alt="Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attends the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="baae0fdd-850a-466b-ab4b-b54a5486dad3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2810%29_13.jpg" /> 
[ Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attends the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

The two countries have historically had a fraught relationship, but have moved closer since 2017 when Myanmar was internationally condemned for its treatment of minority <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icj-ruling-on-urgent-measures-in-rohingya-case-on-january-23-gambia-274450">Rohingya Muslims</a> in Rakhine state.

More than 730,000 Rohingya were forced to flee western Myanmar after a military crackdown that the United Nations has said was executed with “genocidal intent”. China has defended the country on the global stage and is viewed as the biggest obstacle to the prosecution of its leaders at an international war crimes tribunal.

An article in Chinese state media ahead of the state visit said Myanmar had been “derailed” by its engagement with the West and only China was willing to “pull Myanmar from the sludge”.

“But after some turbulence, Myanmar realized there were double standards in the approach Western countries had taken on human rights issues and began to turn to China for diplomatic and economic help,” the article in the Global Times said.

China and Myanmar inked dozens of deals on Saturday to speed up infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asian nation, as Beijing seeks to cement its hold over a neighbor increasingly isolated by the West.

China and Myanmar inked dozens of deals on Saturday to speed up infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asian nation, as Beijing seeks to cement its hold over a neighbor increasingly isolated by the West. But no major new projects were agreed during the two-day visit by President Xi Jinping, the first of any Chinese leader in 19 years. Analysts said Myanmar was generally cautious of investments by Beijing and was also being careful ahead of elections later this year. [ Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attend a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw, Myanmar (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Still, Xi and Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi signed 33 agreements shoring up key projects that are part of the flagship Belt and Road Initiative, China’s vision of new trade routes described as a “21st-century silk road”. They agreed to hasten implementation of the China Myanmar Economic Corridor, a giant infrastructure scheme worth billions of dollars, with agreements on railways linking southwestern China to the Indian Ocean, a deep sea-port in conflict-riven Rakhine state, a special economic zone on the border, and a new city project in the commercial capital of Yangon. They did not address a controversial $3.6 billion Beijing-backed mega-dam, where work has been stalled since 2011, reflecting the contentiousness of Chinese investment in Myanmar, where many are uncomfortable with the sway Beijing has over its smaller neighbor. "While a large number of different agreements have been signed, there is no Big Bang here," said Richard Horsey, a Yangon-based analyst with the International Crisis Group. "The overall impression is that Myanmar is being cautious about Chinese investment, especially ahead of elections planned later in the year, he said. "China will be hoping that this is an incremental step towards realizing its mega-infrastructure goals and that further progress can be locked in over the coming months," he said. Watch: Why China wants a foothold in Myanmar × At a welcoming ceremony on Friday, Xi hailed a “new era” of relations between the countries. “We are drawing a future roadmap that will bring to life bilateral relations based on brotherly and sisterly closeness in order to overcome hardships together and provide assistance to each other,” Xi said. He was scheduled to leave later on Saturday. Suu Kyi called China “a great country playing an important role in the international affairs and the world economy” but urged for economic projects that avoid environmental degradation and benefit locals. [ Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the bilateral meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Xi also met leaders from political parties in ethnic areas riven with civil conflict where Chinese infrastructure projects are underway. Sai Kyaw Nyunt, joint-secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, one of the ethnic politicians invited to meet Xi, said it was only a handshake. “Our country is very small and powerless,” he said, “So they treat us that way.” [ Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attends the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The two countries have historically had a fraught relationship, but have moved closer since 2017 when Myanmar was internationally condemned for its treatment of minority Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state. More than 730,000 Rohingya were forced to flee western Myanmar after a military crackdown that the United Nations has said was executed with “genocidal intent”. China has defended the country on the global stage and is viewed as the biggest obstacle to the prosecution of its leaders at an international war crimes tribunal. An article in Chinese state media ahead of the state visit said Myanmar had been “derailed” by its engagement with the West and only China was willing to “pull Myanmar from the sludge”. “But after some turbulence, Myanmar realized there were double standards in the approach Western countries had taken on human rights issues and began to turn to China for diplomatic and economic help,” the article in the Global Times said.

Myanmar, China ink deals to accelerate Belt and Road project as Xi meets Suu Kyi

With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the agenda, Chinese President Xi Jinping will kickstart his visit to Myanmar on Friday.

Xi plans to ink several infrastructural deals on his first foreign trip of the year.

The trip comes on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Myanmar.

On Xi's agenda will be expanding the belt and road initiative to neighbouring Myanmar. This will involve the revival of stalled multi-billion dollar projects. However, a special focus will be on the 'China-Myanmar Economic Corridor'. The corridor, which is yet to materialise, will connect China with the Indian ocean.

Beijing will also seek to increase investment in Myanmar.

However, Chinese projects have sparked fears of environmental damage and displacement.

Xi is likely to discuss the deep-sea port project in Rakhine which was scaled down over fears of a Chinese debt trap.

Similarly, a china-backed dam project was suspended as it would have led to the displacement of tens of thousands of villagers.

Myanmar which is facing international condemnation over accusation of Rohingya genocide is increasingly becoming dependent on China.&nbsp;

China had backed Myanmar in the United Nations over the persecution of the Rohingya minority.

This is the first visit by a Chinese president to Myanmar in nearly 20 years.

In a bid to bolster strategic ties, Xi will be meeting with Myanmar Army Chief Min Aung Hlaing. He will also call upon the country's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the agenda, Chinese President Xi Jinping will kickstart his visit to Myanmar on Friday. Xi plans to ink several infrastructural deals on his first foreign trip of the year.

With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the agenda, Chinese President Xi Jinping will kickstart his visit to Myanmar on Friday. Xi plans to ink several infrastructural deals on his first foreign trip of the year. The trip comes on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Myanmar. On Xi's agenda will be expanding the belt and road initiative to neighbouring Myanmar. This will involve the revival of stalled multi-billion dollar projects. However, a special focus will be on the 'China-Myanmar Economic Corridor'. The corridor, which is yet to materialise, will connect China with the Indian ocean. Beijing will also seek to increase investment in Myanmar. However, Chinese projects have sparked fears of environmental damage and displacement. Xi is likely to discuss the deep-sea port project in Rakhine which was scaled down over fears of a Chinese debt trap. Similarly, a china-backed dam project was suspended as it would have led to the displacement of tens of thousands of villagers. Myanmar which is facing international condemnation over accusation of Rohingya genocide is increasingly becoming dependent on China. China had backed Myanmar in the United Nations over the persecution of the Rohingya minority. This is the first visit by a Chinese president to Myanmar in nearly 20 years. In a bid to bolster strategic ties, Xi will be meeting with Myanmar Army Chief Min Aung Hlaing. He will also call upon the country's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

China's President Xi Jinping to visit Myanmar today with BRI on agenda

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday while vowing to bring about a "new era" in relations&nbsp;with Myanmar.

Xi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Myanmar President Win Myint who called the Chinese president's visit a "very historic and important trip".

President Xi Jinping who is on a two-day visit is seeking to push the Belt and Road(BRI) project as China seeks to push the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).

<img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Myanmar President Win Myint meet at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87dea30a-0645-4dab-bdd6-cebb533c33a8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2866%29.jpg" /> 
[ Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Myanmar President Win Myint meet at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw (Courtesy: AFP)&nbsp;]

President Xi who has put the BRI project as the centrepiece of his reign will be looking to ink a deal with the Myanmar government on the deep-sea port at Kyaukphyu in central Rakhine state, including a rail link to boost trade and connectivity between the two nations.

Watch Video:

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The Chinese president will also be keen to put his signature on the Myitsone hydropower dam in Kachin state as part of the multi-billion dollar road and sea link during his visit. After Singapore, China is the second-biggest investor in Myanmar.

<img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a727d934-2981-4626-86f7-1a3815d51202" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2864%29_0.jpg" /> 
[ Chinese President Xi Jinping and&nbsp;Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi shake hands at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

As vice-president in 2009, Xi had signed the Myitsone dam with Myanmar's junta but the project ran into trouble after locals protested over environmental damage, after which it was stopped by authorities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday while vowing to bring about a "new era" in relations with Myanmar. Xi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Myanmar President Win Myint who called the Chinese president's visit a "very historic and important trip".

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday while vowing to bring about a "new era" in relations with Myanmar. Xi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Myanmar President Win Myint who called the Chinese president's visit a "very historic and important trip". President Xi Jinping who is on a two-day visit is seeking to push the Belt and Road(BRI) project as China seeks to push the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). [ Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Myanmar President Win Myint meet at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw (Courtesy: AFP) ] President Xi who has put the BRI project as the centrepiece of his reign will be looking to ink a deal with the Myanmar government on the deep-sea port at Kyaukphyu in central Rakhine state, including a rail link to boost trade and connectivity between the two nations. Watch Video: The Chinese president will also be keen to put his signature on the Myitsone hydropower dam in Kachin state as part of the multi-billion dollar road and sea link during his visit. After Singapore, China is the second-biggest investor in Myanmar. [ Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi shake hands at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ] As vice-president in 2009, Xi had signed the Myitsone dam with Myanmar's junta but the project ran into trouble after locals protested over environmental damage, after which it was stopped by authorities.

President Xi meets Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar President with eye on Belt and Road project

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi made a rare trip to a region bordering China days before President Xi Jinping is expected to push for controversial port and dam projects during a visit to the country.

Wearing traditional ethnic attire Suu Kyi danced with a street procession on Friday in northern Kachin state's capital Myitkyina, a day after supporters cheered her arrival at the airport.

She urged a crowd of thousands to "focus on the present" and called for peace in the remote region, where insurgents have clashed with the army over autonomy and resources.

She did not mention the China-backed Myitsone dam, a $3.6 billion project halted in 2011 in the face of widespread opposition.

A proposal to reinstate the dam drew thousands of protesters onto the streets last year.

Myanmar is a vital piece of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Xi's $1 trillion vision for maritime, rail and road projects across Asia, Africa and Europe.

During his two-day visit to the country starting January 17, Xi and top Myanmar political and military leaders are expected to discuss the initiative, according to a Friday briefing by China's Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui.

Asked about the dam in Kachin, Luo said the two sides "are still maintaining close communication on this".

Suu Kyi was an opponent of the project before her party swept to power in 2015 elections, but in March last year she called on people to consider it "from a wider perspective".

An environmental assessment commissioned by the government five years ago advised against the dam's construction, saying it could alter the flow of the Irrawaddy River.

Myitsone is one of several Beijing-backed projects in Myanmar, including a deep-sea port in Rakhine state's Kyaukphyu that will serve as China's gateway to the Indian Ocean.

Northern Rakhine was the site of brutal military operations against Rohingya Muslims in 2017 but Kyaukphyu was largely unscathed.

Analysts say Myanmar has drifted closer to Beijing thanks to the Asian giant's backing of Suu Kyi over the crisis, which shattered her reputation in the west even as she remains popular at home.

Xi is also expected to meet army chief Min Aung Hlaing, who has been accused of overseeing the crackdown against the Muslim minority that drove more than 740,000 people into neighbouring Bangladesh.

Suu Kyi defended her country against allegations of genocide at the UN's top court in The Hague last month in a case that is expected to last years.

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi made a rare trip to a region bordering China days before President Xi Jinping is expected to push for controversial port and dam projects during a visit to the country.

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi made a rare trip to a region bordering China days before President Xi Jinping is expected to push for controversial port and dam projects during a visit to the country. Wearing traditional ethnic attire Suu Kyi danced with a street procession on Friday in northern Kachin state's capital Myitkyina, a day after supporters cheered her arrival at the airport. She urged a crowd of thousands to "focus on the present" and called for peace in the remote region, where insurgents have clashed with the army over autonomy and resources. She did not mention the China-backed Myitsone dam, a $3.6 billion project halted in 2011 in the face of widespread opposition. A proposal to reinstate the dam drew thousands of protesters onto the streets last year. Myanmar is a vital piece of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Xi's $1 trillion vision for maritime, rail and road projects across Asia, Africa and Europe. During his two-day visit to the country starting January 17, Xi and top Myanmar political and military leaders are expected to discuss the initiative, according to a Friday briefing by China's Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui. Asked about the dam in Kachin, Luo said the two sides "are still maintaining close communication on this". Suu Kyi was an opponent of the project before her party swept to power in 2015 elections, but in March last year she called on people to consider it "from a wider perspective". An environmental assessment commissioned by the government five years ago advised against the dam's construction, saying it could alter the flow of the Irrawaddy River. Myitsone is one of several Beijing-backed projects in Myanmar, including a deep-sea port in Rakhine state's Kyaukphyu that will serve as China's gateway to the Indian Ocean. Northern Rakhine was the site of brutal military operations against Rohingya Muslims in 2017 but Kyaukphyu was largely unscathed. Analysts say Myanmar has drifted closer to Beijing thanks to the Asian giant's backing of Suu Kyi over the crisis, which shattered her reputation in the west even as she remains popular at home. Xi is also expected to meet army chief Min Aung Hlaing, who has been accused of overseeing the crackdown against the Muslim minority that drove more than 740,000 people into neighbouring Bangladesh. Suu Kyi defended her country against allegations of genocide at the UN's top court in The Hague last month in a case that is expected to last years.

Ahead of Xi's visit to Myanmar, Suu Kyi makes rare trip to China

An official from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-aung-san-suu-kyi-is-in-the-hague-defending-myanmar-against-allegations-of-genocide-267828">Aung San Suu Kyi</a>'s political party was killed in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-deportation-of-rakhine-insurgent-leaders-family-delayed-266973">Rakhine </a>state after planning a show of support for the leader's defence of Myanmar against genocide allegations at The Hague, a spokesman said Thursday.

The National League for Democracy's Ye Thein, party chairman in Buthidaung township, had been held for weeks by the Arakan Army, insurgents fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists.

The rebels said he was killed in military attacks on Christmas day but the claim could not be verified and NLD spokesman Myo Nyunt said the group bore responsibility.

Ye Thein was detained on December 11 ahead of demonstrations backing Suu Kyi's high-profile opening statements at the UN's top court the same day.

"We, all members of NLD, are very sorry for the loss," Myo Nyunt told AFP. "His gathering to support her was righteous and it was not a crime."

The Arakan Army has carried out a series of daring kidnappings, bombings and raids against the army and local officials in Rakhine state.

Myanmar's military has hit back hard, deploying thousands of additional soldiers to the western state and carrying out what Amnesty International called enforced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial executions.

The clashes are taking place in the same area where the military drove around 740,000 Rohingya Muslims over the border to Bangladesh in a bloody 2017 campaign.

The small African, mainly Muslim state of Gambia opened arguments against Buddhist-majority Myanmar at the International Court of Justice on December 10 accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN genocide convention in its operations against the Rohingya.

Backed by the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-raonic-withdraws-from-canadas-davis-cup-team-261552">Canada</a> and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hockey-world-cup-india-vs-netherlands-its-an-equal-contest-says-india-coach-harendra-singh-183679">Netherlands</a>, Gambia sought emergency measures to prevent further violence against the Rohingya, pending a fuller case that could take years.

The Arakan Army said ahead of the hearings that it endorsed the case in a rare display of solidarity with Rohingya who is seen in Myanmar as non-citizens.

Suu Kyi stunned observers when she agreed to lead a team to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-objects-to-ukraine-sea-dispute-case-in-the-hague-226002">The Hague</a> in mid-December to represent Myanmar.

The former democracy icon's reputation lies in tatters over the crisis but at home, she enjoys broad support and several events across the country were organised to cheer her on.

Suu Kyi said in her opening statement there was no proof of "genocidal intent" and said army operations were in response to Rohingya militant attacks.

An official from Aung San Suu Kyi's political party was killed in Rakhine state after planning a show of support for the leader's defence of Myanmar against genocide allegations at The Hague, a spokesman said Thursday.

An official from Aung San Suu Kyi's political party was killed in Rakhine state after planning a show of support for the leader's defence of Myanmar against genocide allegations at The Hague, a spokesman said Thursday. The National League for Democracy's Ye Thein, party chairman in Buthidaung township, had been held for weeks by the Arakan Army, insurgents fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. The rebels said he was killed in military attacks on Christmas day but the claim could not be verified and NLD spokesman Myo Nyunt said the group bore responsibility. Ye Thein was detained on December 11 ahead of demonstrations backing Suu Kyi's high-profile opening statements at the UN's top court the same day. "We, all members of NLD, are very sorry for the loss," Myo Nyunt told AFP. "His gathering to support her was righteous and it was not a crime." The Arakan Army has carried out a series of daring kidnappings, bombings and raids against the army and local officials in Rakhine state. Myanmar's military has hit back hard, deploying thousands of additional soldiers to the western state and carrying out what Amnesty International called enforced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial executions. The clashes are taking place in the same area where the military drove around 740,000 Rohingya Muslims over the border to Bangladesh in a bloody 2017 campaign. The small African, mainly Muslim state of Gambia opened arguments against Buddhist-majority Myanmar at the International Court of Justice on December 10 accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN genocide convention in its operations against the Rohingya. Backed by the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Canada and the Netherlands, Gambia sought emergency measures to prevent further violence against the Rohingya, pending a fuller case that could take years. The Arakan Army said ahead of the hearings that it endorsed the case in a rare display of solidarity with Rohingya who is seen in Myanmar as non-citizens. Suu Kyi stunned observers when she agreed to lead a team to The Hague in mid-December to represent Myanmar. The former democracy icon's reputation lies in tatters over the crisis but at home, she enjoys broad support and several events across the country were organised to cheer her on. Suu Kyi said in her opening statement there was no proof of "genocidal intent" and said army operations were in response to Rohingya militant attacks.

Aung San Suu Kyi party official killed in Myanmar's Rakhine

Canadian lawyer William Schabas, an international scholar on genocide, has been criticised by friend and foe for first researching crimes against the Muslim Rohingya of Myanmar, and now defending the state accused of perpetrating them.

Schabas helped research a report in 2010 on systematic attacks against the Rohingya, which concluded that they met the international threshold of crimes against humanity.

Three years later, in an Al Jazeera documentary, he was filmed saying: "Denying their history, denying the legitimacy of their right to live where they live, these are all warning signs that mean that it's not frivolous to envisage the use of the word genocide."

This week Schabas stood alongside Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the International Court of Justice in The Hague and denied genocide&nbsp;took place during a military campaign in 2017 in which thousands were killed and raped and hundreds of thousands displaced.

"William Schabas is basically selling out the Rohingya for some Myanmar gov't $$$. Really the worst sort of behaviour, how totally immoral and two-faced," Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch said on Twitter on Thursday.

In an interview with Reuters, Schabas rejected the criticism.

"I am an international lawyer. I do international law cases," he said at a book launch after three gruelling days in court where he argued the crimes did not constitute genocide.

"Both sides have a right to have competent representation. If people don't understand that, that's not my problem," he said.

Stephen Rapp, a former United States war crimes ambassador who works at the Holocaust museum, was among colleagues who criticised Schabas.

"We have heard this morning from my friend Bill Schabas, I was just with him 10 days ago. I prosecuted genocide, we obtained convictions for this crime. He is wrong about the law: this was a genocide," Rapp told journalists and NGOs in The Hague on Wednesday evening.

In court the following day, Schabas tried to clarify his 2013 remarks in the Al Jazeera documentary "The Hidden Genocide".

Schabas said he was responding to a hypothetical, not the real situation in Myanmar.

"The journalist persistently tried to get me to apply the word genocide ... And I just as persistently refused, cause I've never said that genocide was taking place in Myanmar."

No genocide denialist

In the Reuters interview, Schabas also countered criticism of his views about the events in Srebrenica, Bosnia, when around 8,000 Muslim men and boys were massacred by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995.

"He, frankly, doesn't think Srebrenica was (genocide) and that was found by the courts (to be genocide)," said Rapp. "The position he takes on genocide is in my view entirely too restrictive".

Schabas said he has accepted that Srebrenica was genocide.

"I am not arguing with anybody about whether genocide took place in Srebrenica. That has been decided. That train has left the station and the fact that I had an opinion about it before the decisions were reached seems to me to be quite normal and understandable," he said.

His distinct interpretation of the crime of genocide has led some people to call him a genocide denialist, a criticism he rebuffed.

"If you discuss genocide and you suggest that this probably doesn't fit the definition of international law, very quickly some people say you are denying, they say you're denying genocide, as if you're, you know, a Nazi sympathizer whose claiming that Auschwitz didn't exist, which most of the time is not the case.

"Your old debate about Srebrenica was not whether it happened or not, it's not about that. It's about whether the legal qualification should be crimes against humanity rather than genocide," Schabas said.

Defending a party accused of genocide is never going to be a popular job, said Sareta Ashraph, an international lawyer who believes genocide in Myanmar is ongoing.

"For him a genocide has to involve a substantial number of dead, he relies on body count," she said. "I think he's actually the perfect person for that case, although I disagree with his arguments. It's not an absurd argument, it's just very, very conservative on genocidal intent".

"What he is saying is that what is being described (in Myanmar) is crimes against humanity, not genocide," Ashraph said.

In 2015, Schabas was forced to resign as the head of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Gaza Conflict after a complaint from Israel about his prior work for the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

UN Watch director Hillel Neuer said he told Schabas at the time that he "had breached his duty of impartiality as head of the UN Human Rights Council inquiry" because he had made prejudicial statements "including his call to indict Israel’s prime minister as his 'favourite' defendant ..."

Genocide, Schabas said, is a subject of great sensitivity to people "and the debates can be not only quite robust, but people get angry very quickly."

He said his decision to stand in Myanmar's corner was not emotional, but professional. "I am hired as a lawyer, they're my client." 
&nbsp;

Canadian lawyer William Schabas, an international scholar on genocide, has been criticised by friend and foe for first researching crimes against the Muslim Rohingya of Myanmar, and now defending the state accused of perpetrating them.

Canadian lawyer William Schabas, an international scholar on genocide, has been criticised by friend and foe for first researching crimes against the Muslim Rohingya of Myanmar, and now defending the state accused of perpetrating them. Schabas helped research a report in 2010 on systematic attacks against the Rohingya, which concluded that they met the international threshold of crimes against humanity. Three years later, in an Al Jazeera documentary, he was filmed saying: "Denying their history, denying the legitimacy of their right to live where they live, these are all warning signs that mean that it's not frivolous to envisage the use of the word genocide." This week Schabas stood alongside Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the International Court of Justice in The Hague and denied genocide took place during a military campaign in 2017 in which thousands were killed and raped and hundreds of thousands displaced. "William Schabas is basically selling out the Rohingya for some Myanmar gov't $$$. Really the worst sort of behaviour, how totally immoral and two-faced," Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch said on Twitter on Thursday. In an interview with Reuters, Schabas rejected the criticism. "I am an international lawyer. I do international law cases," he said at a book launch after three gruelling days in court where he argued the crimes did not constitute genocide. "Both sides have a right to have competent representation. If people don't understand that, that's not my problem," he said. Stephen Rapp, a former United States war crimes ambassador who works at the Holocaust museum, was among colleagues who criticised Schabas. "We have heard this morning from my friend Bill Schabas, I was just with him 10 days ago. I prosecuted genocide, we obtained convictions for this crime. He is wrong about the law: this was a genocide," Rapp told journalists and NGOs in The Hague on Wednesday evening. In court the following day, Schabas tried to clarify his 2013 remarks in the Al Jazeera documentary "The Hidden Genocide". Schabas said he was responding to a hypothetical, not the real situation in Myanmar. "The journalist persistently tried to get me to apply the word genocide ... And I just as persistently refused, cause I've never said that genocide was taking place in Myanmar." No genocide denialist In the Reuters interview, Schabas also countered criticism of his views about the events in Srebrenica, Bosnia, when around 8,000 Muslim men and boys were massacred by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995. "He, frankly, doesn't think Srebrenica was (genocide) and that was found by the courts (to be genocide)," said Rapp. "The position he takes on genocide is in my view entirely too restrictive". Schabas said he has accepted that Srebrenica was genocide. "I am not arguing with anybody about whether genocide took place in Srebrenica. That has been decided. That train has left the station and the fact that I had an opinion about it before the decisions were reached seems to me to be quite normal and understandable," he said. His distinct interpretation of the crime of genocide has led some people to call him a genocide denialist, a criticism he rebuffed. "If you discuss genocide and you suggest that this probably doesn't fit the definition of international law, very quickly some people say you are denying, they say you're denying genocide, as if you're, you know, a Nazi sympathizer whose claiming that Auschwitz didn't exist, which most of the time is not the case. "Your old debate about Srebrenica was not whether it happened or not, it's not about that. It's about whether the legal qualification should be crimes against humanity rather than genocide," Schabas said. Defending a party accused of genocide is never going to be a popular job, said Sareta Ashraph, an international lawyer who believes genocide in Myanmar is ongoing. "For him a genocide has to involve a substantial number of dead, he relies on body count," she said. "I think he's actually the perfect person for that case, although I disagree with his arguments. It's not an absurd argument, it's just very, very conservative on genocidal intent". "What he is saying is that what is being described (in Myanmar) is crimes against humanity, not genocide," Ashraph said. In 2015, Schabas was forced to resign as the head of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Gaza Conflict after a complaint from Israel about his prior work for the Palestine Liberation Organisation. UN Watch director Hillel Neuer said he told Schabas at the time that he "had breached his duty of impartiality as head of the UN Human Rights Council inquiry" because he had made prejudicial statements "including his call to indict Israel’s prime minister as his 'favourite' defendant ..." Genocide, Schabas said, is a subject of great sensitivity to people "and the debates can be not only quite robust, but people get angry very quickly." He said his decision to stand in Myanmar's corner was not emotional, but professional. "I am hired as a lawyer, they're my client."

Everyone has right to defence: Myanmar's lawyer to critics on genocide case

The Nobel peace prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has defended Myanmar’s government against accusations of genocide at the international court of justice (ICJ), calling the allegations an “incomplete and misleading factual picture of the situation in Rakhine state”.

Violence in Rakhine state centuries old, says Aung San Suu Kyi

Nobel peace laureate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suu-kyi-criticised-for-silence-over-myanmar-genocide-claims-267964">Aung San Suu Kyi </a>urged UN judges on Thursday to throw out a genocide case against Myanmar, warning it risked reigniting the crisis that forced nearly three quarters of a million Rohingya Muslims from their homes.

In her closing arguments after a three-day hearing at the International Court of Justice, Myanmar's de facto civilian leader issued a stark warning to judges that allowing The Gambia's case against Myanmar to go ahead could "undermine reconciliation".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-aung-san-suu-kyi-is-in-the-hague-defending-myanmar-against-allegations-of-genocide-267828">Suu Kyi</a>, whose defence of the same generals she once defied has shredded her reputation abroad as a rights icon, even showed pictures of a football match recently played in the area affected by the violence in 2017 as evidence that was peace was returning

"I pray that the decision you make with the wisdom and vision of justice will help us to create unity out of diversity," said Suu Kyi, who wore traditional Burmese dress and flowers in her hair.

"Steps that generate suspicions, sow doubts or create resentments between communities who have just begin to build the fragile foundation of trust could undermine reconciliation," she added in the short six-minute statement.

"Ending the ongoing internal conflict... is of the utmost importance for our country. But it is equally important to avoid any reignition of the 2016-17 internal armed conflict in northern Rakhine."

Dozens of her supporters gathered outside the court in The Hague and nosily chanted "We stand with you Aung San Suu Kyi" as she arrived to give her speech.

'Silence said far more than words'&nbsp;

The small African, mainly Muslim state of Gambia has taken majority-Muslim Myanmar to the UN's top court in The Hague accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN genocide convention.

Backed by the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Conference, Canada and the Netherlands, it is seeking emergency measures to prevent further violence against the Rohingya, pending a fuller case that could take years.

Around 740,000 Rohingya fled across the border into sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh after Myanmar launched a huge military crackdown in Rakhine state in August 2017.

Suu Kyi told the court in her opening statement on Wednesday that there was no proof of "genocidal intent" and said the army operation was in response to attacks by Rohingya militants.

The Gambia earlier Thursday condemned Suu Kyi's "silence" in her opening speech about the alleged abuses.

"Madame agent, your silence said far more than your words," The Gambia's lawyer Philippe Sands told the court.&nbsp;

"The word 'rape' did not once pass the lips of the agent," Sands added, as Suu Kyi sat impassively in the courtroom.

'Imminent risk of genocide'&nbsp;

Paul Reichler, another of The Gambia's lawyers, dismissed Suu Kyi's insistence that Myanmar's military should be left to probe the allegations itself.

"How could anyone expect the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) to investigate when six of its top generals... have all been accused of genocide by the UN fact-finding mission?" he asked.

He said that those killed included "infants beaten to death or torn from their mothers' arms and thrown into rivers to drown. How many of them were terrorists?

"Armed conflict can never be an excuse for genocide," he said.

The lawyer said Suu Kyi had also failed to deny the conclusions of a 2018 UN investigation that found that genocide had been committed in Myanmar against the Rohingya.

"What is most striking is what Myanmar has not denied," Reichler said.

Reichler added that Suu Kyi in her speech to the court had also followed Myanmar's "racist" policy of refusing to refer to the Rohingya Muslim minority by their name.

Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou pushed the court to impose the emergency measures, saying there was a "serious and imminent risk of genocide recurring" and that "the lives of these human beings are at risk."

A decision on the emergency measures sought by Gambia could take months, while a final ruling if the ICJ decides to take on the full case could take years. 
&nbsp;

Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi urged UN judges on Thursday to throw out a genocide case against Myanmar, warning it risked reigniting the crisis that forced nearly three quarters of a million Rohingya Muslims from their homes.

Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi urged UN judges on Thursday to throw out a genocide case against Myanmar, warning it risked reigniting the crisis that forced nearly three quarters of a million Rohingya Muslims from their homes. In her closing arguments after a three-day hearing at the International Court of Justice, Myanmar's de facto civilian leader issued a stark warning to judges that allowing The Gambia's case against Myanmar to go ahead could "undermine reconciliation". Suu Kyi, whose defence of the same generals she once defied has shredded her reputation abroad as a rights icon, even showed pictures of a football match recently played in the area affected by the violence in 2017 as evidence that was peace was returning "I pray that the decision you make with the wisdom and vision of justice will help us to create unity out of diversity," said Suu Kyi, who wore traditional Burmese dress and flowers in her hair. "Steps that generate suspicions, sow doubts or create resentments between communities who have just begin to build the fragile foundation of trust could undermine reconciliation," she added in the short six-minute statement. "Ending the ongoing internal conflict... is of the utmost importance for our country. But it is equally important to avoid any reignition of the 2016-17 internal armed conflict in northern Rakhine." Dozens of her supporters gathered outside the court in The Hague and nosily chanted "We stand with you Aung San Suu Kyi" as she arrived to give her speech. 'Silence said far more than words' The small African, mainly Muslim state of Gambia has taken majority-Muslim Myanmar to the UN's top court in The Hague accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN genocide convention. Backed by the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Conference, Canada and the Netherlands, it is seeking emergency measures to prevent further violence against the Rohingya, pending a fuller case that could take years. Around 740,000 Rohingya fled across the border into sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh after Myanmar launched a huge military crackdown in Rakhine state in August 2017. Suu Kyi told the court in her opening statement on Wednesday that there was no proof of "genocidal intent" and said the army operation was in response to attacks by Rohingya militants. The Gambia earlier Thursday condemned Suu Kyi's "silence" in her opening speech about the alleged abuses. "Madame agent, your silence said far more than your words," The Gambia's lawyer Philippe Sands told the court. "The word 'rape' did not once pass the lips of the agent," Sands added, as Suu Kyi sat impassively in the courtroom. 'Imminent risk of genocide' Paul Reichler, another of The Gambia's lawyers, dismissed Suu Kyi's insistence that Myanmar's military should be left to probe the allegations itself. "How could anyone expect the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) to investigate when six of its top generals... have all been accused of genocide by the UN fact-finding mission?" he asked. He said that those killed included "infants beaten to death or torn from their mothers' arms and thrown into rivers to drown. How many of them were terrorists? "Armed conflict can never be an excuse for genocide," he said. The lawyer said Suu Kyi had also failed to deny the conclusions of a 2018 UN investigation that found that genocide had been committed in Myanmar against the Rohingya. "What is most striking is what Myanmar has not denied," Reichler said. Reichler added that Suu Kyi in her speech to the court had also followed Myanmar's "racist" policy of refusing to refer to the Rohingya Muslim minority by their name. Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou pushed the court to impose the emergency measures, saying there was a "serious and imminent risk of genocide recurring" and that "the lives of these human beings are at risk." A decision on the emergency measures sought by Gambia could take months, while a final ruling if the ICJ decides to take on the full case could take years.

Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi warns genocide case could reignite Rohingya crisis

By Mauro Barelli

In what is likely to be a remarkable moment for international justice, Aung San Suu Kyi, the political leader of Myanmar and a Nobel peace prize winner, will be in The Hague this week to lead her country’s defence against allegations of genocide.

On November 11, the Gambia launched proceedings against Myanmar before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. I have looked into the question of atrocity crimes, including genocide, as part of my recent research on the principle of the responsibility to protect in international law.

The case focuses on the clearance operations carried out from around October 2016 by Myanmar’s military and security forces against the Rohingya Muslims, a distinct ethnic and religious group that resides primarily in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

The Gambia claims that those operations amounted to a genocidal campaign of violence that included mass murder, forcible displacement, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. The UN says that 742,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh since 2017 and many are still living in dire conditions in refugee camps.

During the public hearings that the ICJ will hold between December 10 and 12, the Gambia will essentially ask the court to order Myanmar to prevent ongoing atrocities against the Rohingya so as to protect them from further, irreparable harm – something known as “provisional measures”.

This is the third time that the world’s court has been called to establish whether a state is responsible under international law for breaches of the genocide convention. In 2015, the ICJ ruled that neither Croatia nor Serbia had committed genocide during the hostilities that took place in Croatia between 1991 and 1995. In a 2007 case brought by Bosnia-Herzegovina, the court also cleared Serbia of direct responsibility for genocide and complicity in genocide in relation to the 1995 massacre of Srebrenica.

This means that the ICJ has never held a state responsible for committing genocide. In this respect, the 2007 and 2015 verdicts reveal some of the obstacles that the Gambia will face in persuading the court that Myanmar committed genocide against members of the Rohingya group.

Proving ‘intent’ 
 
The genocide convention lists a number of acts, including killing or causing serious bodily or mental harm, that may constitute genocide provided that they are committed with the “intent to destroy”, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.

It is precisely the existence of this special intent that distinguishes genocide from other heinous crimes. This is of special importance given the difficulty of proving genocidal intent in a courtroom. In the absence of direct conclusive evidence, the ICJ will infer genocidal intent from particular circumstances – such as a pattern of acts committed against members of the targeted group – only if the circumstances point unequivocally to the existence of that intent.

Adopting this strict approach in both the 2007 and 2015 judgements, the court determined – with the only exception of Srebrenica – that the atrocities committed during the conflicts in Croatia and Bosnia lacked the requisite intent to destroy the targeted groups, and so could not be qualified as genocide. In the case of Srebrenica, the court ruled that the acts “were committed with the specific intent to destroy in part the group of the Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina” and were therefore genocide.

Still, it found that Serbia itself was not directly responsible for the massacre, which was committed by Bosnian Serbs. Serbia was nevertheless found responsible for failing to prevent genocide given that it was in a position of influence over those who devised and implemented it.

The rationale for setting such a high standard of proof is, in the ICJ’s words, that: “Claims against a state involving charges of exceptional gravity must be proved by evidence that is fully conclusive.”

Unsurprisingly, this stringent approach has been the object of much criticism. One of the current judges sitting at the ICJ, Cançado Trindade, noted in 2015 that imposing such a high threshold for proof of genocide runs the risk of reducing the genocide convention to a dead letter.

UN fact-finding mission

To demonstrate the genocidal nature of the violence against the Rohingya, the Gambia – which is backed by the 57 members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – will rely extensively on UN sources. In March 2017 the UN Human Rights Council created an Independent International Fact-finding Mission on Myanmar and tasked it with establishing the facts and circumstances of the human rights violations committed by Myanmar’s military and security forces against the Rohingya.

The implications of the mission’s investigative activities could be profound. In the 2007 genocide case, the ICJ relied heavily on the judgements of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to conclude that genocide was committed at Srebrenica. The authoritativeness of the UN’s factfinding mission to Myanmar cannot be equated to that of a tribunal such as the ICTY. Yet, the ICJ is likely to give serious consideration to the mission’s reports in light of the care taken in preparing them, their comprehensiveness, and the independence of those responsible for their preparation.

Crucially, the 2018 and 2019 reports infer genocidal intent behind the attacks against the Rohingya from a number of factors and circumstances linked to, among other others, the brutality and the scale of destruction of the military operations as well as the widespread use of rape and sexual assault during those operations.

The ICJ judges will need to be satisfied with the solidity of this inference of genocidal intent by the UN mission. However, the very fact that they will have to engage with and determine the weight of those findings as evidence will be of paramount importance.

After ruling on the question of provisional measures – and assuming that no jurisdictional obstacles will be identified – the court will fix time limits for the filing of the parties’ written pleadings in the case. After the written and then oral proceedings, the court will begin its deliberation and so it will be some years before a final decision on this important case is made.

(Mauro Barelli is Senior Lecturer in Law, City, University of London)

(This Article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-aung-san-suu-kyi-is-in-the-hague-defending-myanmar-against-allegations-of-genocide-125102">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

By Mauro Barelli In what is likely to be a remarkable moment for international justice, Aung San Suu Kyi, the political leader of Myanmar and a Nobel peace prize winner, will be in The Hague this week to lead her country’s defence against allegations of genocide.

By Mauro Barelli In what is likely to be a remarkable moment for international justice, Aung San Suu Kyi, the political leader of Myanmar and a Nobel peace prize winner, will be in The Hague this week to lead her country’s defence against allegations of genocide. On November 11, the Gambia launched proceedings against Myanmar before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. I have looked into the question of atrocity crimes, including genocide, as part of my recent research on the principle of the responsibility to protect in international law. The case focuses on the clearance operations carried out from around October 2016 by Myanmar’s military and security forces against the Rohingya Muslims, a distinct ethnic and religious group that resides primarily in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The Gambia claims that those operations amounted to a genocidal campaign of violence that included mass murder, forcible displacement, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. The UN says that 742,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh since 2017 and many are still living in dire conditions in refugee camps. During the public hearings that the ICJ will hold between December 10 and 12, the Gambia will essentially ask the court to order Myanmar to prevent ongoing atrocities against the Rohingya so as to protect them from further, irreparable harm – something known as “provisional measures”. This is the third time that the world’s court has been called to establish whether a state is responsible under international law for breaches of the genocide convention. In 2015, the ICJ ruled that neither Croatia nor Serbia had committed genocide during the hostilities that took place in Croatia between 1991 and 1995. In a 2007 case brought by Bosnia-Herzegovina, the court also cleared Serbia of direct responsibility for genocide and complicity in genocide in relation to the 1995 massacre of Srebrenica. This means that the ICJ has never held a state responsible for committing genocide. In this respect, the 2007 and 2015 verdicts reveal some of the obstacles that the Gambia will face in persuading the court that Myanmar committed genocide against members of the Rohingya group. Proving ‘intent’ The genocide convention lists a number of acts, including killing or causing serious bodily or mental harm, that may constitute genocide provided that they are committed with the “intent to destroy”, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. It is precisely the existence of this special intent that distinguishes genocide from other heinous crimes. This is of special importance given the difficulty of proving genocidal intent in a courtroom. In the absence of direct conclusive evidence, the ICJ will infer genocidal intent from particular circumstances – such as a pattern of acts committed against members of the targeted group – only if the circumstances point unequivocally to the existence of that intent. Adopting this strict approach in both the 2007 and 2015 judgements, the court determined – with the only exception of Srebrenica – that the atrocities committed during the conflicts in Croatia and Bosnia lacked the requisite intent to destroy the targeted groups, and so could not be qualified as genocide. In the case of Srebrenica, the court ruled that the acts “were committed with the specific intent to destroy in part the group of the Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina” and were therefore genocide. Still, it found that Serbia itself was not directly responsible for the massacre, which was committed by Bosnian Serbs. Serbia was nevertheless found responsible for failing to prevent genocide given that it was in a position of influence over those who devised and implemented it. The rationale for setting such a high standard of proof is, in the ICJ’s words, that: “Claims against a state involving charges of exceptional gravity must be proved by evidence that is fully conclusive.” Unsurprisingly, this stringent approach has been the object of much criticism. One of the current judges sitting at the ICJ, Cançado Trindade, noted in 2015 that imposing such a high threshold for proof of genocide runs the risk of reducing the genocide convention to a dead letter. UN fact-finding mission To demonstrate the genocidal nature of the violence against the Rohingya, the Gambia – which is backed by the 57 members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – will rely extensively on UN sources. In March 2017 the UN Human Rights Council created an Independent International Fact-finding Mission on Myanmar and tasked it with establishing the facts and circumstances of the human rights violations committed by Myanmar’s military and security forces against the Rohingya. The implications of the mission’s investigative activities could be profound. In the 2007 genocide case, the ICJ relied heavily on the judgements of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to conclude that genocide was committed at Srebrenica. The authoritativeness of the UN’s factfinding mission to Myanmar cannot be equated to that of a tribunal such as the ICTY. Yet, the ICJ is likely to give serious consideration to the mission’s reports in light of the care taken in preparing them, their comprehensiveness, and the independence of those responsible for their preparation. Crucially, the 2018 and 2019 reports infer genocidal intent behind the attacks against the Rohingya from a number of factors and circumstances linked to, among other others, the brutality and the scale of destruction of the military operations as well as the widespread use of rape and sexual assault during those operations. The ICJ judges will need to be satisfied with the solidity of this inference of genocidal intent by the UN mission. However, the very fact that they will have to engage with and determine the weight of those findings as evidence will be of paramount importance. After ruling on the question of provisional measures – and assuming that no jurisdictional obstacles will be identified – the court will fix time limits for the filing of the parties’ written pleadings in the case. After the written and then oral proceedings, the court will begin its deliberation and so it will be some years before a final decision on this important case is made. (Mauro Barelli is Senior Lecturer in Law, City, University of London) (This Article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why Aung San Suu Kyi is in The Hague defending Myanmar against allegations of genocide

Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will defend her country from accusations of genocide against the Rohingya community at the United Nation's top court.

Aung San Suu Kyi to defend Myanmar at ICJ

Its a shocking turn of events for Aung San Suu Kyi. Once considered a peace icon - Myanmar's leader was today at the International Court of Justice to defend her country against charges of Genocide.

Gravitas: San Suu Kyi's fall from grace: Myanmar Leader denies genocide charge

Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi today defended Myanmar's military actions against Muslims. #WION #Myanmar #Fineprint

Fineprint: Aung San Suu Kyi defends Myanmar at ICJ

Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrived at the UN's International Court of Justice on Tuesday to defend her country over charges of genocide against its Rohingya Muslim minority, as back home thousands of people rallied in her support.

Aung San Suu Kyi to defend Mayanmar at ICJ where thousands rally in support of Suu Kyi of hearing.

Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi heads to ICJ

Rohingya Muslims demanded Myanmar be held to account at the United Nations' top court in The Hague, where Myanmar leader and Nobel peace prize laureate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-in-myanmar-rally-behind-suu-kyi-ahead-of-hague-court-date-266956">Aung San Suu Kyi</a> is set to defend the country against charges of genocide of the minority community.

More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar in 2017 after a brutal military-led crackdown the U.N. has said was executed with "genocidal intent" and included mass killings and rape.

Myanmar vehemently denies allegations of genocide. Myanmar says its military campaign across hundreds of villages in northern Rakhine state was in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents.

Rohingya Muslims housed in sprawling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-child-refugees-in-bangladesh-being-denied-education-human-rights-watch-265862">refugee camps</a> in southern Bangladesh reacted strongly on Monday to the prospect of Suu Kyi appearing this week at The International Court of Justice in hearings set for December&nbsp;10 to 12.

Here are some quotes from individuals:

Mohammed Zobayer, 19, who teaches at a learning centre in the camps:

"We&nbsp;witnessed rape, torture and killings. We saw many killed before our eyes. All we could do was run while our homes burned. Now it is time for the global community to act and hold Myanmar accountable for the horrific crimes they committed. They must be held accountable for genocide against the Rohingya.

"Suu Kyi spoke of rape being used by the army as a weapon before she came to power, but she is now the defender of the army. Shame!

"We are eagerly waiting for&nbsp;the hearings ... but are not sure if we will be able to hear it at all because of the poor internet connectivity here."

Nur Alam, 65, whose son was shot dead by the army after the August 2017 crackdown:

"Once Aung&nbsp;San Suu Kyi was an icon of peace and we had huge expectations that things would change when she came to power. We prayed for her, but she has now become an icon of genocide. Instead of protecting us, she has joined hands with the killers. Now she is going to defend the killers. We hate her. Shame on her.

"She and the army and the killers of my son must all be punished. I have longed for this day to come. I'll have no regrets in life if I see they are punished."

Rashid Ahmed, 35, who says 12 of his family members were killed by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/the-lady-and-the-hague-myanmar-leader-suu-kyi-courts-home-audience-266663">Myanmar</a> army:

"Only justice can heal our wounds. I know I'll never get them back, but they will rest in peace when their killers are punished."

Momtaz Begum, 31,&nbsp;holding&nbsp;her three-year-old son in her lap, said in tears:

"The army killed my husband. They raped me and torched my house, they stabbed my six-year-old daughter in the head.&nbsp;I&nbsp;have learned that there will be a trial of&nbsp;Aung&nbsp;San Suu Kyi&nbsp;and the army. We&nbsp;demand the trial of Suu Kyi and the military. Why did they kill our innocent people, our kids?&nbsp;Why did they torture and rape our women? We demand justice."&nbsp;

Jamalida Begum, 29, who said she was raped by the army in 2016 after her husband was killed:

"The military came to my village and killed my husband and burned my house. Three soldiers dragged me to a bush and pointed a gun at me and raped me until I lost&nbsp;consciousness.

"I fled here after the army put up large posters with my photo and went door-to-door looking for me because I gave interviews to foreign journalists after the brutal incident.

"All I want is justice. I want the punishment of those who raped us, killed our people, torched our houses, threw our children into the fire."

Rohingya Muslims demanded Myanmar be held to account at the United Nations' top court in The Hague, where Myanmar leader and Nobel peace prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is set to defend the country against charges of genocide of the minority community.

Rohingya Muslims demanded Myanmar be held to account at the United Nations' top court in The Hague, where Myanmar leader and Nobel peace prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is set to defend the country against charges of genocide of the minority community. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar in 2017 after a brutal military-led crackdown the U.N. has said was executed with "genocidal intent" and included mass killings and rape. Myanmar vehemently denies allegations of genocide. Myanmar says its military campaign across hundreds of villages in northern Rakhine state was in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents. Rohingya Muslims housed in sprawling refugee camps in southern Bangladesh reacted strongly on Monday to the prospect of Suu Kyi appearing this week at The International Court of Justice in hearings set for December 10 to 12. Here are some quotes from individuals: Mohammed Zobayer, 19, who teaches at a learning centre in the camps: "We witnessed rape, torture and killings. We saw many killed before our eyes. All we could do was run while our homes burned. Now it is time for the global community to act and hold Myanmar accountable for the horrific crimes they committed. They must be held accountable for genocide against the Rohingya. "Suu Kyi spoke of rape being used by the army as a weapon before she came to power, but she is now the defender of the army. Shame! "We are eagerly waiting for the hearings ... but are not sure if we will be able to hear it at all because of the poor internet connectivity here." Nur Alam, 65, whose son was shot dead by the army after the August 2017 crackdown: "Once Aung San Suu Kyi was an icon of peace and we had huge expectations that things would change when she came to power. We prayed for her, but she has now become an icon of genocide. Instead of protecting us, she has joined hands with the killers. Now she is going to defend the killers. We hate her. Shame on her. "She and the army and the killers of my son must all be punished. I have longed for this day to come. I'll have no regrets in life if I see they are punished." Rashid Ahmed, 35, who says 12 of his family members were killed by the Myanmar army: "Only justice can heal our wounds. I know I'll never get them back, but they will rest in peace when their killers are punished." Momtaz Begum, 31, holding her three-year-old son in her lap, said in tears: "The army killed my husband. They raped me and torched my house, they stabbed my six-year-old daughter in the head. I have learned that there will be a trial of Aung San Suu Kyi and the army. We demand the trial of Suu Kyi and the military. Why did they kill our innocent people, our kids? Why did they torture and rape our women? We demand justice." Jamalida Begum, 29, who said she was raped by the army in 2016 after her husband was killed: "The military came to my village and killed my husband and burned my house. Three soldiers dragged me to a bush and pointed a gun at me and raped me until I lost consciousness. "I fled here after the army put up large posters with my photo and went door-to-door looking for me because I gave interviews to foreign journalists after the brutal incident. "All I want is justice. I want the punishment of those who raped us, killed our people, torched our houses, threw our children into the fire."

Rohingya refugees demand justice at Myanmar World Court

Thousands rally in support of Suu Kyi Ahead of hearing.

Former democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is set to make legal history when she defends Myanmar in The Hague this week against charges of genocide targeting the Buddhist state's minority Rohingya Muslims.

The tiny west African state of Gambia, acting on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, will ask the International Court of Justice to take emergency measures to halt Myanmar's "ongoing genocidal actions".

But in a highly unusual move, the office of Nobel Peace laureate and Myanmar civilian leader Suu Kyi has said she will lead a team to the UN's highest court, based in the turreted Peace Palace in the Netherlands.

Legal experts said Suu Kyi would be one of the first national leaders to personally address the tribunal since it was set up in 1946 after World War II to rule in disputes between countries.

Her plan to appear before the court's judges for the three-day hearing starting Tuesday was "unprecedented and also very unwise", Cecily Rose, an assistant professor in international law at Leiden University, told AFP.

"States never ever send politicians to lead legal teams at the ICJ," she said.&nbsp;

Although Oxford-educated Suu Kyi's background was "impressive, she has no legal qualifications and would be completely at sea before the court," Rose added.

'Defend' Myanmar's interests

Around 740,000 Rohingya were forced to flee into camps in Bangladesh after Myanmar's military launched a violent crackdown on the group in 2017, which UN investigators concluded amounted to genocide.

The case will be the first international legal attempt to bring Myanmar to justice over the crisis, and is a rare example of a country suing another over an issue to which it is not directly a party.

Muslim-majority Gambia's case alleges that Myanmar has breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. It is seeking the special measures pending a future decision by the court on whether to take on the wider case.

Any final judgment could take years.

Suu Kyi has said she is heading to The Hague in order to "defend the national interests of Myanmar".

Myanmar is expected to argue that the court has no jurisdiction, that its military operation was targeting Rohingya militants and that its own investigations into alleged abuse are adequate.

However, Suu Kyi's international reputation has been tarnished by her response to the crisis, with critics saying she is acting as an apologist for the same military that kept her under house arrest for many years.

- 'Personally responsible' - 
Experts say Suu Kyi now risks being in the legal firing line herself.

"It's highly unusual for top leaders to go to the ICJ themselves to defend their countries," said Willem van Genugten, professor of international law at the Netherlands' Tilburg University.

"What you often see is that they come to The Hague when a case is launched to attract extra publicity," he added, for example when then-Bolivian president Evo Morales came to The Hague for a ruling on a border dispute with Chile.

Myanmar faces other legal challenges, including an investigation by the International Criminal Court -- another Hague-based tribunal set up in 2002 to probe war crimes -- and a lawsuit in Argentina.

This week's case will be only the fourth in the ICJ's history invoking the genocide convention, after two involving the 1990s Balkans wars and another one between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in 2002.

ICJ judges have only once ruled that genocide was committed: the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Bosnia.

"What might be seen as unusual about Aung San Suu Kyi leading the Myanmar delegation is the fact that she is viewed as personally responsible at some level for Myanmar's alleged wrongdoing," Mike Becker, assistant international law professor at Trinity College in Dublin, told AFP.

"Suu Kyi is not personally on trial at the ICJ... but her presence will be remarkable."

Former democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is set to make legal history when she defends Myanmar in The Hague this week against charges of genocide targeting the Buddhist state's minority Rohingya Muslims.

Former democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is set to make legal history when she defends Myanmar in The Hague this week against charges of genocide targeting the Buddhist state's minority Rohingya Muslims. The tiny west African state of Gambia, acting on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, will ask the International Court of Justice to take emergency measures to halt Myanmar's "ongoing genocidal actions". But in a highly unusual move, the office of Nobel Peace laureate and Myanmar civilian leader Suu Kyi has said she will lead a team to the UN's highest court, based in the turreted Peace Palace in the Netherlands. Legal experts said Suu Kyi would be one of the first national leaders to personally address the tribunal since it was set up in 1946 after World War II to rule in disputes between countries. Her plan to appear before the court's judges for the three-day hearing starting Tuesday was "unprecedented and also very unwise", Cecily Rose, an assistant professor in international law at Leiden University, told AFP. "States never ever send politicians to lead legal teams at the ICJ," she said. Although Oxford-educated Suu Kyi's background was "impressive, she has no legal qualifications and would be completely at sea before the court," Rose added. 'Defend' Myanmar's interests Around 740,000 Rohingya were forced to flee into camps in Bangladesh after Myanmar's military launched a violent crackdown on the group in 2017, which UN investigators concluded amounted to genocide. The case will be the first international legal attempt to bring Myanmar to justice over the crisis, and is a rare example of a country suing another over an issue to which it is not directly a party. Muslim-majority Gambia's case alleges that Myanmar has breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. It is seeking the special measures pending a future decision by the court on whether to take on the wider case. Any final judgment could take years. Suu Kyi has said she is heading to The Hague in order to "defend the national interests of Myanmar". Myanmar is expected to argue that the court has no jurisdiction, that its military operation was targeting Rohingya militants and that its own investigations into alleged abuse are adequate. However, Suu Kyi's international reputation has been tarnished by her response to the crisis, with critics saying she is acting as an apologist for the same military that kept her under house arrest for many years. - 'Personally responsible' - Experts say Suu Kyi now risks being in the legal firing line herself. "It's highly unusual for top leaders to go to the ICJ themselves to defend their countries," said Willem van Genugten, professor of international law at the Netherlands' Tilburg University. "What you often see is that they come to The Hague when a case is launched to attract extra publicity," he added, for example when then-Bolivian president Evo Morales came to The Hague for a ruling on a border dispute with Chile. Myanmar faces other legal challenges, including an investigation by the International Criminal Court -- another Hague-based tribunal set up in 2002 to probe war crimes -- and a lawsuit in Argentina. This week's case will be only the fourth in the ICJ's history invoking the genocide convention, after two involving the 1990s Balkans wars and another one between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in 2002. ICJ judges have only once ruled that genocide was committed: the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Bosnia. "What might be seen as unusual about Aung San Suu Kyi leading the Myanmar delegation is the fact that she is viewed as personally responsible at some level for Myanmar's alleged wrongdoing," Mike Becker, assistant international law professor at Trinity College in Dublin, told AFP. "Suu Kyi is not personally on trial at the ICJ... but her presence will be remarkable."

Suu Kyi set to make history in Hague genocide case

An Indian construction worker died while being taken hostage with several compatriots by insurgents in Myanmar's conflict-scarred Rakhine state, rebels and the government said Monday.

The Arakan Army (AA) have changed tactics in recent weeks in their increasingly vicious battle with Myanmar troops,&nbsp;taking mass hostages along rivers and roads in the large western state.

But it is the first time they have captured foreign workers in the resource-rich area, which hosts a series of infrastructure projects linking India and Myanmar.

Ten people,&nbsp;including five Indians and a lawmaker from leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy,&nbsp;were seized by AA fighters on Sunday in the northern part of the state.

The rebels confirmed the 60-year-old worker's death as the group were marched up a hill.

"Unfortunately he suddenly died from exhaustion... we did not do anything to him," AA spokesman Khaing Thukha told AFP.

"We did not target the Indians," he said, but rather the MP.

The rest of the group were released but the MP was held for questioning, said Soe Htet, a government official from the lawmaker's constituency in nearby Chin state, adding the body of the dead man was also sent back.

The AA, which is fighting for greater autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, has previously carried out ambushes, assassinations, and bomb attacks.

But it has resorted to daring abductions of security forces in recent weeks.

A number of hostages seized by ethnic Rakhine rebels in a raid on a ferry packed with scores of police and soldiers were killed last month.

The rebels said they were killed by the military while in pursuit, but the army denied they were responsible and blamed the AA.

Rakhine is the same area where the military drove out more than 740,000 Rohingya Muslims in a 2017 campaign U.N. investigators have called genocide.

An Indian construction worker died while being taken hostage with several compatriots by insurgents in Myanmar's conflict-scarred Rakhine state, rebels and the government said Monday.

An Indian construction worker died while being taken hostage with several compatriots by insurgents in Myanmar's conflict-scarred Rakhine state, rebels and the government said Monday. The Arakan Army (AA) have changed tactics in recent weeks in their increasingly vicious battle with Myanmar troops, taking mass hostages along rivers and roads in the large western state. But it is the first time they have captured foreign workers in the resource-rich area, which hosts a series of infrastructure projects linking India and Myanmar. Ten people, including five Indians and a lawmaker from leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, were seized by AA fighters on Sunday in the northern part of the state. The rebels confirmed the 60-year-old worker's death as the group were marched up a hill. "Unfortunately he suddenly died from exhaustion... we did not do anything to him," AA spokesman Khaing Thukha told AFP. "We did not target the Indians," he said, but rather the MP. The rest of the group were released but the MP was held for questioning, said Soe Htet, a government official from the lawmaker's constituency in nearby Chin state, adding the body of the dead man was also sent back. The AA, which is fighting for greater autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, has previously carried out ambushes, assassinations, and bomb attacks. But it has resorted to daring abductions of security forces in recent weeks. A number of hostages seized by ethnic Rakhine rebels in a raid on a ferry packed with scores of police and soldiers were killed last month. The rebels said they were killed by the military while in pursuit, but the army denied they were responsible and blamed the AA. Rakhine is the same area where the military drove out more than 740,000 Rohingya Muslims in a 2017 campaign U.N. investigators have called genocide.

Indian worker dies in Myanmar rebel operation

The UN chief on Sunday urged Myanmar to ensure the "safe" return of Rohingya refugees driven out by army operations, a plea made in front of Aung San Suu Kyi more than two years since her country cracked down on the Muslim minority.

Speaking at a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Bangkok -- with Myanmar's de facto head Suu Kyi in the room -- Antonio Guterres said he remains "deeply concerned" about the plight of the Rohingya.

Violence in Rakhine state in 2017 forced more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee, most seeking refuge in overcrowded camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, in what UN investigators say amounted to genocide.

Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens.

The country says it welcomes back those who agree to a bureaucratic status below full citizenship, and if they agree to live under tight guard after their villages were incinerated.

Guterres said Myanmar is responsible to "ensure a conducive environment for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of refugees".

Suu Kyi sat in the room expressionless as Guterres spoke.

Only a few hundred Rohingya have returned to Myanmar so far, with many fearing further persecution in the Buddhist-majority country.

The secretary-general also called on Myanmar "to ensure humanitarian actors have full and unfettered access to areas of return".

Despite repeated entreaties by the UN and endless criticism by rights groups and world leaders, Myanmar has refused to bend in its approach to the Rohingya.

Much of Rakhine remains largely closed to aid workers and journalists, who can only visit on tightly controlled, military-chaperoned trips.

It has launched an extensive and increasingly bloody campaign against Rakhine Buddhists, who are also fighting the central state for greater autonomy.

Suu Kyi has come under fire for failing to use her moral force to defend Rohingya after the 2017 unrest.

The treatment of the minority has shredded her image as an upholder of human rights in the eyes of the Western world.

Myanmar's army has come under fire for covering up the crackdown, which it blamed on Rohingya "terrorists".

A leaked ASEAN report earlier this year said the repatriation effort could take a further two years.

Suu Kyi has faced pressure over her country's treatment of the Rohingya from fellow ASEAN members Malaysia and Indonesia, which are both Muslim-majority.

The UN chief on Sunday urged Myanmar to ensure the "safe" return of Rohingya refugees driven out by army operations, a plea made in front of Aung San Suu Kyi more than two years since her country cracked down on the Muslim minority.

The UN chief on Sunday urged Myanmar to ensure the "safe" return of Rohingya refugees driven out by army operations, a plea made in front of Aung San Suu Kyi more than two years since her country cracked down on the Muslim minority. Speaking at a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Bangkok -- with Myanmar's de facto head Suu Kyi in the room -- Antonio Guterres said he remains "deeply concerned" about the plight of the Rohingya. Violence in Rakhine state in 2017 forced more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee, most seeking refuge in overcrowded camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, in what UN investigators say amounted to genocide. Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens. The country says it welcomes back those who agree to a bureaucratic status below full citizenship, and if they agree to live under tight guard after their villages were incinerated. Guterres said Myanmar is responsible to "ensure a conducive environment for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of refugees". Suu Kyi sat in the room expressionless as Guterres spoke. Only a few hundred Rohingya have returned to Myanmar so far, with many fearing further persecution in the Buddhist-majority country. The secretary-general also called on Myanmar "to ensure humanitarian actors have full and unfettered access to areas of return". Despite repeated entreaties by the UN and endless criticism by rights groups and world leaders, Myanmar has refused to bend in its approach to the Rohingya. Much of Rakhine remains largely closed to aid workers and journalists, who can only visit on tightly controlled, military-chaperoned trips. It has launched an extensive and increasingly bloody campaign against Rakhine Buddhists, who are also fighting the central state for greater autonomy. Suu Kyi has come under fire for failing to use her moral force to defend Rohingya after the 2017 unrest. The treatment of the minority has shredded her image as an upholder of human rights in the eyes of the Western world. Myanmar's army has come under fire for covering up the crackdown, which it blamed on Rohingya "terrorists". A leaked ASEAN report earlier this year said the repatriation effort could take a further two years. Suu Kyi has faced pressure over her country's treatment of the Rohingya from fellow ASEAN members Malaysia and Indonesia, which are both Muslim-majority.

United Nations chief urges Myanmar to ensure 'safe' return of Rohingya

UN investigators called Tuesday for an expert evaluation of whether Myanmar's civilian leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-in-bangladesh-face-tide-of-hostility-as-welcome-turns-to-fear-250157">Aung San Suu Kyi </a>can be legally implicated in the abuses committed against the country's Rohingya minority.

The fact-finding mission to Myanmar, set up by the UN Human Rights Council, said they were not equipped to determine what level of responsibility Suu Kyi should shoulder for the Rohingya crisis.

"It will become a legal issue whether or not there is an element of culpability here," fact-finding mission chair Marzuki Darusman told reporters in Geneva.

Watch: Bangladesh Feels ISI Could recruit from Rohingya Camps

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The Human Rights Council recently created a panel to prepare criminal indictments over atrocities committed in the country -- the so-called Independent International Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) -- which could have the expertise to determine what responsibility Suu Kyi bears in the crisis.

"It is still an open-ended question to what extent she might be implicated," Darusman said.&nbsp;

When asked if the Nobel laureate might be implicated, he said "that is for the judicial process to address," referring to the IIMM.

The fact-finding mission last year branded the army operation in August 2017 as "genocide" and called for the prosecution of top generals, including army chief Min Aung Hlaing.

Some 740,000 Rohingya fled burning villages, bringing accounts of murder, rape and torture over the border to sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, where survivors of previous waves of persecution already languished.

And in a damning report published Monday, the investigators warned that the 600,000 Rohingya still inside Myanmar's Rakhine state remain in deteriorating and "deplorable" conditions and continue to face a "serious risk of genocide".

The experts told the rights council on Tuesday that they had a confidential list of some 150 names, including officials, suspected of being involved in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

'Criminal responsibility'?

Darusman said that the investigators initially shied away from laying blame on Suu Kyi, who spent years in house arrest before her party in 2015 won Myanmar's first fully free vote for generations.

He said that the fact-finding team had taken into account that Myanmar was "going through a transition, a democratic transition, and therefore in our first report we absolved Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi from any direct responsibility."

But while it was likely that Suu Kyi was not aware in August 2017 of the army's activities, "the issue now is that subsequently, there was no further addressing of this issue on her part," Darusman said.

Another member of the fact-finding mission, Christopher Sidoti, acknowledged that "it is clear that the civilian side of the government does not control the military side of the government."

But "the civilian side of the government has very substantial constitutional responsibilities," he said.

"The longer this goes on, the more impossible it is for the civilian side of the government to escape international criminal responsibility for the human rights situation in Myanmar."

The fact-finding mission, which was never granted access to Myanmar, is expected to wrap up its work during the ongoing session of the Human Rights Council, due to end next week.

But the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights situation in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, should continue monitoring the situation.

UN investigators called Tuesday for an expert evaluation of whether Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi can be legally implicated in the abuses committed against the country's Rohingya minority.

UN investigators called Tuesday for an expert evaluation of whether Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi can be legally implicated in the abuses committed against the country's Rohingya minority. The fact-finding mission to Myanmar, set up by the UN Human Rights Council, said they were not equipped to determine what level of responsibility Suu Kyi should shoulder for the Rohingya crisis. "It will become a legal issue whether or not there is an element of culpability here," fact-finding mission chair Marzuki Darusman told reporters in Geneva. Watch: Bangladesh Feels ISI Could recruit from Rohingya Camps × The Human Rights Council recently created a panel to prepare criminal indictments over atrocities committed in the country -- the so-called Independent International Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) -- which could have the expertise to determine what responsibility Suu Kyi bears in the crisis. "It is still an open-ended question to what extent she might be implicated," Darusman said. When asked if the Nobel laureate might be implicated, he said "that is for the judicial process to address," referring to the IIMM. The fact-finding mission last year branded the army operation in August 2017 as "genocide" and called for the prosecution of top generals, including army chief Min Aung Hlaing. Some 740,000 Rohingya fled burning villages, bringing accounts of murder, rape and torture over the border to sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, where survivors of previous waves of persecution already languished. And in a damning report published Monday, the investigators warned that the 600,000 Rohingya still inside Myanmar's Rakhine state remain in deteriorating and "deplorable" conditions and continue to face a "serious risk of genocide". The experts told the rights council on Tuesday that they had a confidential list of some 150 names, including officials, suspected of being involved in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. 'Criminal responsibility'? Darusman said that the investigators initially shied away from laying blame on Suu Kyi, who spent years in house arrest before her party in 2015 won Myanmar's first fully free vote for generations. He said that the fact-finding team had taken into account that Myanmar was "going through a transition, a democratic transition, and therefore in our first report we absolved Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi from any direct responsibility." But while it was likely that Suu Kyi was not aware in August 2017 of the army's activities, "the issue now is that subsequently, there was no further addressing of this issue on her part," Darusman said. Another member of the fact-finding mission, Christopher Sidoti, acknowledged that "it is clear that the civilian side of the government does not control the military side of the government." But "the civilian side of the government has very substantial constitutional responsibilities," he said. "The longer this goes on, the more impossible it is for the civilian side of the government to escape international criminal responsibility for the human rights situation in Myanmar." The fact-finding mission, which was never granted access to Myanmar, is expected to wrap up its work during the ongoing session of the Human Rights Council, due to end next week. But the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights situation in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, should continue monitoring the situation.

Suu Kyi 'culpability' in Rohingya abuses an 'open-ended question': UN investigator

An army helicopter buzzes overhead and ambulances travel up wet empty roads in Myanmar's northeast, ferrying aid to thousands of residents displaced by fresh clashes between rebels and the military.

Burnt-out cars and bullet casings lie along the road to Shan state's Kutkai -- a town ringed by mountains, poppy fields, and a patchwork of ethnic armed groups fighting for more autonomy and control over land and resources.

"We are still afraid to go back home," Ba Yi, a 63-year-old former teacher, told AFP while sheltering in a monastery.

"Every time I hear explosions, I want to go away."

The area near the Chinese border has been riven by armed conflict for decades, and Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi pledged to secure peace when she took office in 2016.

It is also home to what experts believe to be the world's largest methamphetamine-making region, fuelling a complex web of conflict.

Fighting in the region escalated after rebel attacks on an army academy and police outposts killed at least 15 this month, operations the military said were in retaliation for a drug crackdown.

Local civil society organisations say more than 2,000 people have been displaced.

"Even if I wanted to go back to my home, I can't go... the situation is not peaceful in my village," said Lyaw Aye Pwint, an 18-year-old student.

The US embassy issued a travel warning this month for more than a dozen towns in Shan state due to "civil unrest and armed conflict".

Dozens of NGO workers were evacuated last week days after an ambulance driver was killed in an attack blamed on rebels.

But rescue workers are still braving the danger to bring aid to the displaced.

"The main missions are to send provisions to the villagers from restricted areas and try to rescue people from conflict areas and send them to shelters," said Tin Win, part of a volunteer aid convoy.

Myanmar's army has long battled different insurgent groups fighting for more autonomy in a country dominated by the Bamar ethnic majority.

Amid the recent fighting, the army is still making large drug seizures.

On Sunday the military said it had found 762 kilograms (0.8 tonnes) of crystal meth in backpacks in eastern Shan state, a haul worth an estimated $12.6 million.

On August 22 it confiscated dozens of bags of meth tablets worth $7 million.

"We are still clearing off the area in northern Shan State. We still have fighting in that area," Zaw Min Tun, an army spokesperson, told AFP.

An army helicopter buzzes overhead and ambulances travel up wet empty roads in Myanmar's northeast, ferrying aid to thousands of residents displaced by fresh clashes between rebels and the military.

An army helicopter buzzes overhead and ambulances travel up wet empty roads in Myanmar's northeast, ferrying aid to thousands of residents displaced by fresh clashes between rebels and the military. Burnt-out cars and bullet casings lie along the road to Shan state's Kutkai -- a town ringed by mountains, poppy fields, and a patchwork of ethnic armed groups fighting for more autonomy and control over land and resources. "We are still afraid to go back home," Ba Yi, a 63-year-old former teacher, told AFP while sheltering in a monastery. "Every time I hear explosions, I want to go away." The area near the Chinese border has been riven by armed conflict for decades, and Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi pledged to secure peace when she took office in 2016. It is also home to what experts believe to be the world's largest methamphetamine-making region, fuelling a complex web of conflict. Fighting in the region escalated after rebel attacks on an army academy and police outposts killed at least 15 this month, operations the military said were in retaliation for a drug crackdown. Local civil society organisations say more than 2,000 people have been displaced. "Even if I wanted to go back to my home, I can't go... the situation is not peaceful in my village," said Lyaw Aye Pwint, an 18-year-old student. The US embassy issued a travel warning this month for more than a dozen towns in Shan state due to "civil unrest and armed conflict". Dozens of NGO workers were evacuated last week days after an ambulance driver was killed in an attack blamed on rebels. But rescue workers are still braving the danger to bring aid to the displaced. "The main missions are to send provisions to the villagers from restricted areas and try to rescue people from conflict areas and send them to shelters," said Tin Win, part of a volunteer aid convoy. Myanmar's army has long battled different insurgent groups fighting for more autonomy in a country dominated by the Bamar ethnic majority. Amid the recent fighting, the army is still making large drug seizures. On Sunday the military said it had found 762 kilograms (0.8 tonnes) of crystal meth in backpacks in eastern Shan state, a haul worth an estimated $12.6 million. On August 22 it confiscated dozens of bags of meth tablets worth $7 million. "We are still clearing off the area in northern Shan State. We still have fighting in that area," Zaw Min Tun, an army spokesperson, told AFP.

Myanmar clashes between army and rebels force thousands from home

The Rohingya refugee crisis in key dates

Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Bangkok on Saturday determined to drive forward the world's largest commercial pact, with the trade war between the US and China clouding the outlook for their export-led economies.

Disputes in the flashpoint the South China Sea, Myanmar's persecution of Rohingya Muslims and plastic pollution in the seas are also set to be discussed at the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, chaired by Thailand.

But trade will take centre stage with ASEAN leaders keen to hasten the signing of a China-drafted commercial deal covering around half the world's population.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) includes all 10 ASEAN economies, plus India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

It is seen as a mechanism for China to draft the rules of Asia-Pacific trade, following a US retreat from the region.

Shortly after his election, President Donald Trump pulled the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- which would have been the world's largest trade deal -- slamming it as an American "job killer".

While tit-for-tat tariffs between the world's biggest two economies have seen some manufacturers flee China to safer ASEAN hubs, economists say the big picture for global growth is bleak.

In that context, "RCEP is key to increasing trade volume", Thai government spokesman Werachon Sukhondhapatipak told reporters.

"The faster it (RCEP) gets implemented the better," Martin M. Andanar, Philippines Communications Secretary, told reporters.

"Free trade is definitely what we need here in this region," he said, adding that the US-China trade row has resulted in "the entire world catching a cold".

Progress on the deal has stuttered in recent months with India digging in over fears cheap Chinese goods could flood its massive consumer market.

Australia and New Zealand have also raised concerns over a lack of labour and environmental safeguards.

Rohingya talks

ASEAN is frequently criticised as a soft forum where diplomatic niceties often outweigh concrete action on pressing problems.

Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad on Friday raised the prospect of a joust with Myanmar over the Rohingya, the Muslim minority driven in massive numbers into Bangladesh by waves of concussive violence.

"We hope something can be done to stop the oppression," he said.

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi is in Bangkok for the weekend meeting.&nbsp;

ASEAN foreign ministers discussed the repatriation of more than 740,000 Rohingya refugees that have fled into Bangladesh, according to Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai.&nbsp;

The bloc has come under fire for suggesting the refugees should go back to Myanmar within two years, according to a leaked report seen by AFP -- though virtually none have volunteered to go back so far, citing safety concerns. &nbsp; &nbsp;

"It (repatriation) will be quick, Myanmar knows this process is being watched by everyone," Don told reporters. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The bloc is also poised to agree on a declaration to "prevent and significantly reduce" marine debris -- including plastic -- across the region, according to a draft text seen by AFP.

Though the statement is the first of its kind for the region, which dumps millions of tonnes of plastic waste into the ocean every year, activists fear it doesn't go far enough in curbing single-plastic use.&nbsp;

Regional leaders are also set to tackle thorny South China Sea issues at the weekend meet, with a draft Code of Conduct agreement up for review, though observers doubt any major progress will me made to inch the deal closer to completion.&nbsp;

Discussions around the resource-rich waterway that Beijing claims most of were overshadowed by a recent dust-up in the sea between a Chinese ship that rammed a Filipino fishing boat and caused it to sink.

Manila said a joint investigation into the incident has been launched, adding that the run-in would not derail Code of Conduct talks. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Bangkok on Saturday determined to drive forward the world's largest commercial pact, with the trade war between the US and China clouding the outlook for their export-led economies.

Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Bangkok on Saturday determined to drive forward the world's largest commercial pact, with the trade war between the US and China clouding the outlook for their export-led economies. Disputes in the flashpoint the South China Sea, Myanmar's persecution of Rohingya Muslims and plastic pollution in the seas are also set to be discussed at the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, chaired by Thailand. But trade will take centre stage with ASEAN leaders keen to hasten the signing of a China-drafted commercial deal covering around half the world's population. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) includes all 10 ASEAN economies, plus India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. It is seen as a mechanism for China to draft the rules of Asia-Pacific trade, following a US retreat from the region. Shortly after his election, President Donald Trump pulled the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- which would have been the world's largest trade deal -- slamming it as an American "job killer". While tit-for-tat tariffs between the world's biggest two economies have seen some manufacturers flee China to safer ASEAN hubs, economists say the big picture for global growth is bleak. In that context, "RCEP is key to increasing trade volume", Thai government spokesman Werachon Sukhondhapatipak told reporters. "The faster it (RCEP) gets implemented the better," Martin M. Andanar, Philippines Communications Secretary, told reporters. "Free trade is definitely what we need here in this region," he said, adding that the US-China trade row has resulted in "the entire world catching a cold". Progress on the deal has stuttered in recent months with India digging in over fears cheap Chinese goods could flood its massive consumer market. Australia and New Zealand have also raised concerns over a lack of labour and environmental safeguards. Rohingya talks ASEAN is frequently criticised as a soft forum where diplomatic niceties often outweigh concrete action on pressing problems. Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad on Friday raised the prospect of a joust with Myanmar over the Rohingya, the Muslim minority driven in massive numbers into Bangladesh by waves of concussive violence. "We hope something can be done to stop the oppression," he said. Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi is in Bangkok for the weekend meeting. ASEAN foreign ministers discussed the repatriation of more than 740,000 Rohingya refugees that have fled into Bangladesh, according to Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai. The bloc has come under fire for suggesting the refugees should go back to Myanmar within two years, according to a leaked report seen by AFP -- though virtually none have volunteered to go back so far, citing safety concerns. "It (repatriation) will be quick, Myanmar knows this process is being watched by everyone," Don told reporters. The bloc is also poised to agree on a declaration to "prevent and significantly reduce" marine debris -- including plastic -- across the region, according to a draft text seen by AFP. Though the statement is the first of its kind for the region, which dumps millions of tonnes of plastic waste into the ocean every year, activists fear it doesn't go far enough in curbing single-plastic use. Regional leaders are also set to tackle thorny South China Sea issues at the weekend meet, with a draft Code of Conduct agreement up for review, though observers doubt any major progress will me made to inch the deal closer to completion. Discussions around the resource-rich waterway that Beijing claims most of were overshadowed by a recent dust-up in the sea between a Chinese ship that rammed a Filipino fishing boat and caused it to sink. Manila said a joint investigation into the incident has been launched, adding that the run-in would not derail Code of Conduct talks.

Southeast Asian leaders throw weight behind China-led trade pact

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