The Irrawaddy :
Myanmar’s de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-once internationally feted as a human rights champion-arrived with her delegation in The Hague, Netherlands on Sunday. This time, her trip is not for diplomatic, ceremonial or business purposes, but to face the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Republic of The Gambia, on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has submitted a lawsuit that invokes the 1948 Convention for the Punishment and Prevention of Genocide.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can never have imagined she would have to face the ICJ. She started her political struggle in 1988 leading student protests against the Ne Win regime. In 1991 her status as a democratic and human rights champion was affirmed when she won the Nobel Peace Prize. So defending her country against charges of genocide before the World Court is a kind of personal “Black Swan” event, as some theorists refer to events that are largely unforeseen or unpredicted but which go on to shape history.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s stated political aspiration is to build a democratic country where individual and human rights are fully protected, political tolerance is upheld and even international laws are respected.
This political vision has been espoused by her legions of ardent supporters, including the remnants of the “8888” uprising, political activists, former political prisoners, ordinary citizens and even ethnic minorities who have yearned for justice, equality and peace for many decades.
