Systematic extermination
Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit has uncovered what amounts to "strong
evidence" of a genocide coordinated by the Myanmar Government against
the Rohingya people, according to an assessment by Yale University Law
School.
The Lowenstein Clinic spent eight months assessing evidence from
Myanmar, including documents and testimony provided by Al Jazeera and
the advocacy group, Fortify Rights.
"Given the scale of the atrocities and the way that politicians talk
about the Rohingya, we think it's hard to avoid a conclusion that intent
to commit genocide is present," concluded the clinic.
Exclusive evidence obtained by Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit and
Fortify Rights reveals the government has been triggering communal
violence for political gain by inciting anti-Muslim riots - using hate
speech to stoke fear among the Myanmarese about Muslims - and offering
money to hardline Buddhist groups who threw their support behind the
leadership.
As the first fully contested general election in 25 years approaches
on November 8, eyewitness and confidential documentary evidence obtained
by Al Jazeera reveals that the ruling, military-backed Union Solidarity
and Development Party (USDP) has attempted to marginalize Muslims and
target the Rohingya.
Al Jazeera has made several requests for comment to the Myanmar
President's office and government spokespeople but received any
response.
Dangerous agenda
The investigation, presented in a new documentary, Genocide Agenda,
consults legal and diplomatic experts on whether the government's
campaign amounts to systematic extermination.
The University of London's Professor Penny Green, Director of the
International State Crime Initiative (ISCI) said: "President Thein Sein
of USDP is prepared to use hate speech for the government's own ends,
and that is to marginalize, segregate, diminish the Muslim population
inside Burma.
"It's part of a genocidal process."
An independent report by the ISCI concluded that riots in 2012, which
saw conflicts between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims
erupt, were preplanned. The violence saw scores killed, and tens of
thousands of people displaced after several thousand homes were burned.
"It wasn't communal violence," said Green. "It was planned violence.
Express buses were organized" to bring Rakhine Buddhists from outlying
areas to take part in the aggression.
"Refreshments, meals were provided," she said. "It had to be paid by
somebody. All of this suggests that it was very carefully planned."
Former United Nations Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tomas Ojea Quintana,
meanwhile, called for President Thein Sein of the USDP and the ministers
of home affairs and immigration to be investigated for genocide.
Stirring hatred
Genocide Agenda presents evidence that Myanmar government agents were
involved in sparking anti-Muslim riots.
An official military document, a copy of which has been obtained by
Al Jazeera, shows the use of hate speech, claiming the Myanmarese are in
danger of being 'devoured' by Muslims.
The investigation also reveals how the government uses hired thugs to
stir hatred.
A former member of Myanmar's feared Military Intelligence service
described how she witnessed agent provocateurs from the army provoke
problems with Muslims.
"The army controlled these events from behind the scenes. They were
not directly involved," she said, speaking on the condition of
anonymity. "They paid money to people from outside."
Among other findings is a confidential document warning of
'nationwide communal riots' that was deliberately sent to local
townships to incite anti-Muslim fears.
Further evidence from and sources within the Sangha, or monkhood,
reveals that bhikkhus who challenged military rule in the 2007 Saffron
Revolution were offered money to join anti-Muslim, pro-government
groups.
While there has been evidence that Myanmar's military rulers
deliberately provoked communal unrest during the years of dictatorship,
until now, there has been no evidence that this continued after the
transition towards a partial democracy.
Matt Smith, founder of the advocacy group Fortify Rights, said that
taken as a whole, the evidence indicates this trend is resurfacing.
"In the case of the Rohingya, in the case of Rakhine State, that
could amount to the crime of genocide," Smith said. "Several of the most
powerful people in the country should reasonably be the subject of an
international investigation into this situation of Rakhine State."
Disenfranchised Muslims
In the November general election, the USDP is running against
numerous ethnic and other parties, but primarily against the National
League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung Sang Suu Kyi.
The vote is seen as a crucial next stage in steps towards full
democracy.
Reform in Myanmar has been under way since 2010 when military rule
was replaced by a military-backed civilian government.
But since the military junta stepped aside in 2011, hardline Buddhist
groups have taken advantage of liberalization to gain influence in the
country's politics. Muslim candidates have been largely excluded from
the upcoming election, in what also appears to be an attempt to assuage
hardliners.
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims were disenfranchised
earlier this year when the government withdrew the temporary citizenship
cards that allowed them to vote.
- Al Jazeera
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