By Munir Anjum
After the Myanmar military coup on February 1, 2021, the military junta has driven the state to the brink of collapse and committed widespread atrocities. There is now only one way to break this cycle of abuse: pursuing mechanisms of international justice that can hold those responsible to account.
Over the past 12 months, there has been a steady creek of dreadful news from Myanmar, as more than 1,500 people have been killed in protest crackdowns and massacres. Thousands of people have been arrested while the junta has made routine use of torture against those protesting against its rule.
At the same time, the economy has suffered a severe decline, while healthcare and education services have been paralyzed. While Senior General, the junta chief, has delusions about bringing in new electric trains to expand national public transport, the rest of the country is suffering through daily, crippling blackouts.
In Rakhine State, the Rohingya minority continues to face an ongoing genocide and live in what amounts to an open-air prison. The junta has imposed even tighter restrictions on freedom of movement. Many are also caught in the crossfire in the simmering conflict between the military and the Arakan Army armed group.
As Rohingya often used to face abuse from the army in the past. Now, however, Rohingya receive support, understanding, and even apologies from those who used to spew hatred against Rohingya. People have realized that the military is our common enemy.
The Tatmadaw, as the military is known in the country, has terrorized the people of Myanmar for committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. They have done so with absolute impunity, knowing their crimes would have no consequences.
In 2019, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that it was opening an investigation into crimes against humanity the Tatmadaw committed against the Rohingya. Around the same time, The Gambia brought a genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Both processes are ongoing, giving hope to the military’s many victims.
Last year, the judiciary in Argentina also agreed to take up a landmark genocide case against Myanmar’s military leadership. The process has only just started, but we hope that ultimately army general and his cronies will answer for their crimes in a court of law.
It is also encouraging that many of Myanmar’s civilian leaders, who earlier rejected any efforts to bring military criminals to justice, now see the need to hold the Tatmadaw to account. The National Unity Government, established in the wake of the coup, has said it will cooperate with international justice mechanisms.
Myanmar stands united in wanting to see its oppressors in the military behind bars. The Tatmadaw leadership is getting increasingly nervous. In December, an order was leaked to the in which the military leadership warned any of its staff against responding to letters from international justice bodies.
While justice increasingly looks within reach, there is much more the international community can and must do. The United Nations Security Council has remained deadlocked for years and China should play a positive role in Myanmar to rescue people’s lives.
At the same time, other states should also pursue the Myanmar case at the international court of justice (ICJ). One year ago, the Tatmadaw plunged Myanmar into crisis by seizing power in a coup, continuing its decades-long terror against its people.
The people of Myanmar have suffered for too long and deserve speedy justice. That is why the international community step in and provide justice. The international community must continue its efforts to bring peace to Myanmar.