Myanmar junta to replace Suu Kyi in Rohingya genocide case at UN court

Suu Kyi presented Myanmar’s arguments at the International Court of Justice when the case was first heard in December 2019

In its ‘preliminary objections’ on Monday, Myanmar will argue that the court has no jurisdiction over the case

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Aung San Suu Kyi addresses judges of the International Court of Justice on December 11, 2019. File photo: AP

Published: 3:00pm, 21 Feb 2022Updated: 4:35pm, 21 Feb 2022

Myanmar’s junta is set to replace Aung San Suu Kyi at the UN’s top court on Monday as it seeks to dismiss a case over the alleged genocide of Rohingya Muslims.

Suu Kyi personally presented Myanmar’s arguments at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) when the case was first heard in December 2019, but was ousted as civilian leader in a coup last year.

The Nobel peace laureate, who faced criticism from rights groups for her involvement in the case, is now under house arrest and trial by the same generals she defended in The Hague.

In its “preliminary objections” on Monday, Myanmar will argue that the court has no jurisdiction over the case, and must throw it out before it moves on to substantive hearings.

Rohingya refugees gather near a fence near Taungpyolatyar village, Maung Daw, northern Rakhine State. File photo: AP

Local Myanmar media said the junta has a new delegation led by Ko Ko Hlaing, international cooperation minister, and Thida Oo, attorney general, who will attend virtually.

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