January 29, 2020
The World Court ordered Myanmar to protect Rohingyas and not to destroy the evidences of the crimes committed against them during a military campaign since August 2017, when some 750,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh.
The European Union wants Myanmar to fully comply with the World Court order asking Myanmar to stop genocidal acts against the Rohingyas in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
“We expect the government of Myanmar to fully comply with the ICJ order in the interest of justice,” said the EU Ambassador and EU Member States’ Ambassadors and Heads of Mission resident in Myanmar in a statement on Monday.
On January 23, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Myanmar to takes measures to ensure that its military or any other forces under it stop any physical and mental harms against the Rohingyas.
The ICJ also ordered Myanmar not to destroy the evidences of the crimes committed against the Rohingyas during a military campaign since August 2017, when some 750,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh. UN’s Independent Fact-Finding Mission said the crackdown had genocidal intent, while the UN described it as “a classic example of ethnic cleansing”.
The ICJ decision came in response to a case filed by The Gambia in November, accusing Myanmar of crimes under the UN Genocide Convention.
“The EU welcomes these important first steps towards acknowledging the severity and scale of the violence that occurred, the gross violations of human rights and the disproportionate use of force by Myanmar’s military and security forces.
“We hope that Myanmar will use these opportunities to make further progress on its democratic transition towards a society where the rights of everyone are fully recognised and protected.”
The EU has consistently stressed the importance of accountability for the crimes committed in 2016-2017 in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, said the statement.
The EU also recalled that on 20 January, the Commission of Enquiry established under the authority of the President of Myanmar concluded that war crimes, serious human rights violations and disproportionate use of force took place during the security operations conducted by Myanmar’s military and security forces between August 25 and September 5 2017.
The EU said it also welcomes and shares the expression of sympathy for all victims by the President of Myanmar.
“This now needs to be followed up with concrete actions.”
As recommended by Myanmar’s own Commission of Enquiry, there must now be adequate follow-up investigations, in line with international standards, the EU said.
Credible action must be taken to bring to justice those responsible for these serious violations, especially by Myanmar’s security forces, it said.
“We also welcome the recommendations for institutional reforms within Myanmar’s defense forces to prevent the recurrence of human rights violations.”
The EU said it stands ready to support the Myanmar government in any efforts to address the root causes of the multi-faceted conflict in Rakhine State, to implement in a comprehensive manner the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission and to achieve peace within Myanmar’s borders.