Published 18:56 IST, December 10th 2019
Nobel Laureate Suu Kyi told to 'stop the genocide' by UN court
Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was told by UN court to 'stop the genocide' on December 10 in The Hague, while she sat through the graphic accounts.
- World News
- 2 min read
Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was told by UN court to 'stop the genocide' on December 10 in The Hague. On the eve of International Human Rights Day, Suu Kyi appeared in International Court of Justice to defend Myanmar on the charges of mass murder and rape. The Democratic leader was seen sitting through the graphic accounts of the incident as the tiny west African state of The Gambia, which is acting on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Corporation has asked the court to halt the 'ongoing genocidal actions'. The Hague was set up in 1946 to rule in disputes between countries after World War II.
Suu Kyi created legal history
Former democracy icon made legal history in The Hague where she is defending the country against charges of genocide targeting the Buddhist state's minority Rohingya Muslims. She is one of the first national leaders to personally address the tribunal. However, legal experts believe that Suu Kyi's move to lead the legal team was 'unprecedented and very unwise'. An assistant professor of international law at Leiden University told an international agency that the states should not send politicians to lead the legal teams at the International Court of Justice. Even though the Myanmar civilian leader has an 'impressive' background, she lacks any legal qualifications.
Myanmar accused of genocide
Nearly 7,40,000 Rohingya were forced to flee into camps in Bangladesh after the military of Myanmar launched a violent crackdown on the group in 2017. This, according to the UN officials was 'genocide'. This case in the International Court of Justice will also be the first legal attempt by the peace-making body to bring the country into justice over the crisis. It is also a rare example of a country suing another over an issue to which it is not directly a party. The decision on charges of genocide could reportedly, take several years to come. However, Suu Kyi has said that she is leading the team to The Hague to 'defend the national interests of Myanmar'.
Updated 19:34 IST, December 10th 2019