Myanmar Military Condemns US Over 'Rohingya Genocide' Allegations

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Myanmar military has reacted against the United States officially labeling their atrocities against the Rohingya as 'genocide.'

According to Bloomberg on the 23rd, Myanmar's military government Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release, "Myanmar has never engaged in any acts of genocide nor does it intend to annihilate any group."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced earlier on the 21st (local time) that "the Myanmar military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya."

In response, Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised its voice, saying, "Secretary Blinken's remarks are politically motivated and interfere with the internal affairs of a sovereign nation."

Upon taking office last year, Secretary Blinken promised to conduct a new review of the violent incidents committed by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya. He reportedly ordered a legal and factual analysis of the persecution of the Rohingya.

However, Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs opposed this, stating, "The U.S. government's decision is based on unreliable and unverifiable sources and widespread suspicions."

In 2017, in Rakhine State, Myanmar, some Rohingya attacked police posts in protest against religious persecution, prompting the government forces to launch a large-scale crackdown. As a result, at least 730,000 Rohingya fled their homes and sought refuge in Bangladesh. At that time, the Myanmar military committed murder, rape, and arson against the Rohingya.

Currently, the Rohingya massacre case is being tried at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is also investigating the expulsion of the Rohingya.