Myanmar stands united against false accusations at the ICJ
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Htet Nadi (NP News) - Jan 18
The allegations brought by The Gambia against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice hearing on 12 January 2026 constitute an infringement on Myanmar’s sovereign right to protect itself. Myanmar citizens therefore have a responsibility to respond to these claims effectively, factually, and responsibly.
The Gambian legal team has made unfounded accusations, including claims that two monks—the vulnerable Dr. Nyanissara of Sitagu Monastery, who dedicated his life to the promotion of Buddhism and peace, and U Wirathu of Masoyein Monastery—incited acts of violence. These allegations disregard the monks’ religious roles and the Buddhist principles of nonviolence under which they lived.
The true objective of The Gambia appears to be the deliberate damage of Myanmar’s international reputation and the pursuit of political or material gain through this case. If these claims are left unchallenged, the international community risks developing a distorted and misleading perception of Myanmar.
A close examination of The Gambia’s submissions shows that essential contextual details and discussions were dismissed. Their accusations resemble individual criminal prosecutions rather than an interstate legal dispute. However, the case between Myanmar and The Gambia is an interstate proceeding though there has no dispute between them. If criminal responsibility were to be pursued against individuals, such cases should be filed at the International Criminal Court, not the ICJ.
The information and evidence presented by The Gambia largely focus on accusations against individuals rather than demonstrating state responsibility. For a case to be properly brought before the ICJ, a significantly higher standard of proof is required—namely, proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Furthermore, The Gambia’s claim under the Genocide Convention focuses solely on alleged actions against Bengalis, while ignoring the role of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). On 25 August 2017, ARSA launched coordinated attacks on 30 Border Guard Force outposts in Rakhine State. In response, the Tatmadaw conducted counterterrorism operations against ARSA. While civilian casualties may have occurred during the conflict, there was no intent to destroy an entire ethnic group.
If any wrongdoing took place, it should be addressed through Myanmar’s military tribunals and domestic legal mechanisms. There is no justification for international intervention, particularly when countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom take similar measures in their own counterterrorism operations.
Much of the evidence presented by The Gambia is therefore one-sided. Additionally, the UN Fact-Finding Mission relied heavily on private opinions and social media posts—primarily from Facebook—which were presented as evidence. The personal views of individuals cannot be used to prosecute an entire nation.
The Gambia has also contributed to a one-sided flow of information throughout the trial. The removal of social media pages supporting Myanmar demonstrates an effort to mislead global public opinion. By amplifying negative narratives while suppressing Myanmar’s explanations and supporters, a deliberate attempt has been made to portray Myanmar as guilty in the eyes of the world.
Despite technological and media pressure, the truth cannot be concealed. In a court such as the ICJ, facts and credible evidence are paramount. Western social media influence cannot override the truth. The Myanmar people continue to stand firmly for their country’s dignity and justice, and the blocking of accounts only highlights the fear of the Myanmar people’s voice being heard.