MYANMAR’S powerful army chief says the United Nations has no right to interfere in his country’s sovereignty, a week after UN investigators called for him and other top generals to be prosecuted for “genocide” against the Rohingya. Min Aung Hlaing’s comments to an army newspaper were his first public reaction since a UN fact-finding mission urged the UN Security Council to refer the top military brass to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The statement came as the UN General Assembly prepares to discuss the crisis in New York. Min Aung Hlaing also shrugged off demands from UN investigators for the army to withdraw from politics in Myanmar, where it remains hugely influential despite a nominal transition to civilian rule in 2011. It is not unexpected that his response would be critical of any attempts by the international community to put pressure on Myanmar. Most Third World countries run by their military use this excuse to justify prolonging their period of supremacy over the country.
In fact Myanmar was at a dismal ebb in its economic history after of military rule, and in a moment of sheer brilliance decided to open up to the rest of the world by undergoing a ‘democratic’ transition. This act of sheer Machiavellian proportions enabled it to get most of the sanctions against it lifted so that the world could see Myanmar again in a new light.
But alas, the spotlight on Myanmar shone on a harsh reality–the brutal treatment towards its minorities. The Rohingya, the Karen, and the Shan all represent the darkness which flows within the so-called democratic corridors of Myanmar. The army has absolute power to do anything–even the civil administration has been found to terrorize and torture ordinary Rohingya, all of which have been documented.
The last thing the UN can expect is that the Tatmadaw would open itself to international scrutiny and expose itself to international sanctions. Unless the entire international community puts pressure on Myanmar and sanctions all of its top leaders nothing much will happen to help the Rohingya. But for that to occur – Russia, China, and India would also have to weigh in against the Myanmar regime. As of now it remains highly unlikely.
