Atrocities of Mayanmar yet again proved by confessions of its two soldiers

THE confessions of two former Myanmar soldiers about their involvement in massacres, rape, and other crimes against Rohingyas and their transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) could be a turning point for justice for the Rohingyas. The victims and witnesses to the mass atrocities against the Rohingyas shared their experiences to the UN and other investigators since some 750,000 Rohingyas fled a brutal military campaign in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. These confessions could be a turning point for justice for the Rohingyas and helped the ICC as well as global powers to press the Myanmar government to repatriate the ethnic minorities with dignity and citizenship.

In February this year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Gambia filed a case accusing Myanmar of genocide against Rohingyas, ordered in February this year to prevent the acts of genocide. The ICC is also investigating the issue of forcible displacement of Rohingyas but Myanmar denied ICC to access there. The statements from the two Myanmar soldiers who were directly responsible for killing up to 180 Rohingya women, men, and children, and admitted to raping women. These soldiers were in the Rakhine State during the military-led clearance operations against Rohingya civilians in 2016 and 2017. Both men separately claimed to be acting on orders from senior commanders to “exterminate all Rohingyas,” to “shoot all that you see and that you hear,” and to “kill all” Rohingyas in specific areas. The soldiers provided the names and ranks of 19 direct perpetrators from the Myanmar Army, including themselves, as well as six senior commanders whom they claim ordered or contributed to atrocious crimes against Rohingya.

Will the big powers, who are friends of Myanmar and speak of human rights and democracy, consider seriously putting pressure on Myanmar now? The information gathered from the two soldiers will be invaluable. It will help the ICC catch the conspirators. This will also give a strong message to Myanmar and the rest of the world.