Myanmars Rohingya people called Muslim dogs before attacks, ICJ hears

Myanmars Rohingya people called Muslim dogs before attacks, ICJ hears

**International Court of Justice Hears Testimony on Alleged Incitement of Violence Against Rohingya**

The Hague – Proceedings continued at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday concerning allegations of genocide committed by Myanmar against its Rohingya population. The Gambia brought the case before the UN’s highest court, arguing that Myanmar’s military and government engaged in a systematic campaign of violence and persecution aimed at the destruction of the Rohingya ethnic minority.

The hearings focused on evidence presented by The Gambia, which detailed a pattern of dehumanizing rhetoric allegedly employed by Myanmar military officials in the lead-up to and during the violent crackdown that began in 2017. According to testimony presented, military personnel routinely referred to the Rohingya as “Muslim dogs,” a term intended to incite hatred and justify the subsequent atrocities.

The Gambia’s legal team argued that this language constituted direct and public incitement to commit genocide, a violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, to which both Myanmar and The Gambia are signatories. They presented evidence suggesting that such derogatory terms were not isolated incidents but rather part of a coordinated propaganda campaign designed to strip the Rohingya of their humanity and create an environment conducive to violence.

The alleged incitement is said to have played a significant role in the widespread atrocities committed against the Rohingya, including mass killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of homes and villages. Over 700,000 Rohingya were forced to flee Myanmar into neighboring Bangladesh, where they continue to reside in refugee camps, facing dire conditions and uncertain futures.

Myanmar, which was previously represented by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, has consistently denied the allegations of genocide. The country’s current representatives are expected to argue that the military operations in Rakhine State were legitimate counter-terrorism measures in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents. They are also likely to challenge the ICJ’s jurisdiction in the matter, arguing that the court lacks the authority to adjudicate the case.

The ICJ’s decision on the merits of the case could take years. However, in 2020, the court issued a provisional order requiring Myanmar to take all measures within its power to protect the Rohingya population from further harm. The order was a significant victory for The Gambia and the Rohingya community, but concerns remain about its effective implementation.

The ongoing proceedings at the ICJ represent a critical step in the pursuit of justice for the Rohingya people. The court’s eventual ruling will have far-reaching implications for Myanmar and the international community, potentially setting a precedent for holding states accountable for genocide and other grave human rights violations. The case underscores the importance of combating hate speech and incitement to violence, which can have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations. The world is watching, as the ICJ grapples with the complex legal and moral questions at the heart of this case, seeking to determine whether the atrocities committed against the Rohingya constitute the gravest crime known to humankind.

This article was created based on information from various sources and rewritten for clarity and originality.