Northern Alliance trio endorses legal action against Tatmadaw at ICJ

By Kyaw Chit 29 Nov 2019

Kyaw Chit | DMG
29 November, Sittwe

The Northern Alliance Trio released a joint statement on 28 November, saying the group endorsed the attempts to take action against the Tatmadaw at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ by Gambia, at International Criminal Court by Bangladesh and Argentina’s move to sue Myanmar leaders.

“We supported an application against Burmese military leaders at ICJ because they committed war crimes against civilians for nearly 70 years. The move to take appropriate legal action against guilty war criminals is a must. Only when action would be taken against war criminals, will justice and peace be achieved, Spokesperson of the Arakan Army (AA) Khaing Thukha said.

The Northern Alliance trio consisting of Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Arakan Army (AA) said the group is ready to cooperate with individuals and organizations to provide evidence of war crimes against civilians committed by the Tatmadaw.

“The Tatmadaw troops killed animals that were left in the village when villagers left their homes. They also confiscated rice, paddy and looted valuable things from homes owned by villagers. These activities can be regarded as crimes against humanity. I would like to highlight that the international community should take action against such activities committed by the Tatmadaw,” Khaing Thukha said.

Gambia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has filed the Tatmadaw’s atrocities against the displaced people in Arakan State before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would lead a team of legal experts to contest the case brought by Gambia to the ICJ.

The Government will not cast aspersions on any nation, race, religion, or group, either directly or indirectly, as we defend our nation at the ICJ, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 November.