NUG welcomes ICJ hearings, says junta has no legitimacy to represent Myanmar

Mizzima

The National Unity Government (NUG) issued a statement on 9 January, that ahead of the upcoming international Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings in The Gambia vs Myanmar case, they are the only legitimate representative of Myanmar before the Court and rejecting any role for the military junta.

The NUG notes that the ICJ is entering the next phase of proceedings in the case of The Gambia v. Myanmar case, with hearings scheduled to begin on 13 January. These hearings are of critical importance for the Rohingya people and for the future of Myanmar. Acting on behalf of the people of Myanmar, the NUG has accepted and welcomed the jurisdiction of the ICJ and has withdrawn all preliminary objections previously submitted.

The NUG has repeatedly acknowledged that failures in Myanmar’s past enabled grave atrocities against minority communities, including the Rohingya, Rakhine, and others across the country. “We are committed to ensuring that such crimes are never repeated and to pursuing structural change that allows all people in Myanmar to live together in peace, dignity, and mutual respect,” their statement says.

Justice is a fundamental pillar of any lasting resolution to the long-running conflict between Myanmar’s military and its people. International justice mechanisms, including the ICJ, are essential partners in the pursuit of a just and sustainable peace.

“We wish to make clear to the Court and to the international community that the National Unity Government is the sole legitimate representative of Myanmar before the ICJ. This has been the case since the unlawful military coup of February 2021. On 30 March 2021, the acting Vice President appointed Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, as the additional alternate agent in this case. The Ambassador formally communicated this appointment to the International Court of Justice.

“The military junta is not recognised by the United Nations General Assembly and does not enjoy the support of the people of Myanmar. It therefore has no right to speak on behalf of the State of Myanmar before the Court. The junta’s attempt to hold a so-called “sham-election” amid its widespread international crimes, violence, repression, and voter intimidation only further exposes its lack of legitimacy. No government can derive legitimacy from a process conducted through fear, exclusion, and war crimes.

“Allowing the junta to represent Myanmar at the ICJ would be an affront to the dignity of the Rohingya people and to all the people of Myanmar. The International Court of Justice must listen to the voices of the people.

“The NUG reserves all its rights in respect of the ICJ proceedings and affirms that any submissions made by the illegitimate junta do not represent the views of the lawful Government of Myanmar nor the will of its people.”