“Rohingya
population halved” as the result of Myanmar's persecution
Viewers from 38
countries, across six continents watched the culmination of the first Peoples’
Tribunal on Myanmar: a swift indictment against
the leaders of Myanmar’s government for the crime of “genocide” against the
Rohingya, and atrocity crimes against the Kachin minorities. On the indictment,
Dr. Helen Jarvis, formerly of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal related that the panel
of judges zeroed in on three areas of discussion: 1. Identity Framing, 2. The
escalation in fighting against the Kachin, and 3. Genocide against the
Rohingya.
Testimony
Concludes on Second Day
The second day of
hearings convened in London at the Queen Mary Law School — International State
Crime Initiative (ISCI), saw the conclusion of testimony, statements of support
from the Dalai Lama and Amartya Sen, and comments by the special panel of
judges. Speaking on the drastic reduction of the Rohingya population, Dr. Helen
Jarvis noted that the “Rohingya population halved” as the result of Myanmar’s
persecution over the past forty years.
The negative role of
Suu Kyi was discussed by Burmese scholar and Tribunal expert witness, Dr. Maung
Zarni who corrected the notion that Suu Kyi has been silent about crimes
against the Rohingya and Kachin. According to Zarni, Suu Kyi “is a guilty party
in genocide against Rohingya.” Kai Htang Lashi, representing the Kachin
National Organisation (KNO-UK), stated that her organization has reached out to
Suu Kyi “multiple times” but never received a response. Tun Khin, head of the
Burmese Rohingya Campaign UK (BROUK), noted that Rohingya support for Suu Kyi
was previously widespread, several prominent Muslims worked in Suu Kyi’s NLD
party and for her election campaign but their situation has only deteriorated
since she won the election.
Breakthrough
in the Tribunal
A breakthrough in
the course of the Tribunal was not only the contact between Kachin and Rohingya
leaders but their “working together.” Described as a historic moment according
to panelists, a point highlighted by Tribunal judge, Daniel Feirstein, and
termed “a new beginning” by Malik Mujahid, Chair of the Burma Task Force. The
Tribunal is a call to solidarity between the oppressed peoples who must “take
care” to work together Feirstein said.
The Tribunal stated
that it had reached out repeatedly to the Myanmar government to join the
hearings, Myanmar’s government instead opted to be unrepresented for the
entirety of the hearings. Myanmar is still encouraged to engage with the
Tribunal, present its case and respond to the serious evidence and testimony
behind the indictments, said Dr. Helen Jarvis. Efforts to reach the Myanmar
government for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
Tribunal
Fills the Void and Inaction of International Bodies
Secretary General of
the Tribunal, Dr. Gianni Tognoni, emphasized the Tribunal’s role in filling the
void and inaction of international bodies such as the UN, ICC and others in
addressing and making visible atrocities committed by states against vulnerable
and oppressed people. Dr. Tognoni, added that whilst the “evidence is
compelling” it “needs further documentation and systematization” which will
likely be explored at upcoming hearings. Tribunal judge Denis Halliday raised
the issue of “complicity” of world powers, particularly western nations and the
UN Security Council in abetting Myanmar’s crimes against the Rohingya and
Kachin, and the necessity of exploring this further.
Kai Htang Lashi,
representing the Kachin National Organisation-UK (KNO-UK) pushed for an
“independent inquiry” that highlighted the suffering of all Burma’s people. In
her statement, Lashi, stated that the “Burma I love is a diverse nation, no one
community is more important than another.”
Possible
Solutions to the Oppression of Both Communities
During the lively
Q&A, several possible solutions to addressing the oppression of both
communities was broached: Feierstein, positively affirmed that “Universal
Jurisdiction” can be applied against Myanmar’s government citing its use
against Argentina’s Pinochet regime. Malik Mujahid, noted that the Tribunal
would contribute to influencing governments and human rights regimes, as it has
in the past. The importance of ASEAN, and particularly Malaysia, was noted for
efforts to integrate Myanmar into a broader regional cooperation; Denis
Halliday was particularly keen on empowering ASEAN in this regard.
The indictment from
the Tribunal should be a call to the Myanmar government to work toward ending
these ongoing crimes, but also should put the complicit global powers and
institutions on notice: the people are watching!