UN Expert Warns of Another Genocidal Violence in Myanmar

Recently, UN expert warned about terrible situation in Rakhine State, where the junta is rapidly losing territory to the Arakan Army (AA)

• Several Rohingya diaspora groups accused the AA of forcing Rohingya to flee and then looting and burning their homes 

Genocide Convention

• The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) is an instrument of international law that codified for the first time the crime of genocide. 
• It was the first human rights treaty adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948 and signified the international community’s commitment to ‘never again’ after the atrocities committed during the Second World War.
• Ratification: India ratified the convention in 1959 but  there is no legislation on the subject.
• Genocide Definition: The definition of the crime of genocide as contained in Article II of the Genocide Convention 
  • Meaning: Any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
    • Killing members of the group
    • Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
    • Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
    • Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
    • Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

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What is the importance of Myanmar for India?

• Gateway to Southeast Asia : Border: India shares a 1,643 kilometer border with Myanmar, making it a gateway to the economies of Southeast Asia.
• Strategic location: One can change friends, not neighbors. Myanmar is located in a strategically significant neighborhood. 
  • Various Initiatives underscore the importance of relation with Myanmar: 
    • Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy & various Multilateral Engagement like SAARC, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and Mekong Ganga Cooperation has introduced a regional dimension to bilateral relations
• Countering China: As part of India’s SAGAR Vision, India developed the Sittwe port in Myanmar’s Rakhine state to counter the Chinese-fronted Kyaukpyu port.
  • China’s Support: China has always been a close ally of Myanmar’s military regime. It has given de facto recognition to the junta regime.
    • BRI: Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China is constructing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor in Rakhine State to connect China’s landlocked Yunnan Province to the Indian Ocean. 
• Economic cooperation – India Myanmar Projects: 
• • Kaladan Multi-modal Transit project: It involves a road-river-port cargo transport project, to connect Kolkata to Sittwe in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and then from Myanmar’s Kaladan river to Mizoram.
  • Asian Trilateral Highway: The Asian Trilateral Highway will connect India to Southeast Asian countries.
    • It will begin at Guwahati and continue till Thailand, through Myanmar. It will ultimately connect Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City.
• Historical Ties: India and Myanmar share common Buddhist heritage. About 90% of Myanmarese follow Theravada Buddhism.
• • Myanmar was a British Indian province and was only separated in 1937. Hence, there are socio-cultural ties between the two nations.

India’s Challenges Amidst Instability in Myanmar

• Sealing the Border: The border with Myanmar is unfenced and porous. 
  • It is easy for locals to move from one country to another without an appropriate route. 
  • This enables miscreants to escape to Myanmar after committing a crime in India.
• Maintaining Peace in North-east: India would want to prevent the escalation of conflict in the region so that it does not spread to North-eastern states.
• Political stability of Myanmar is of paramount importance to India: Particularly for the northeastern region and its connectivity projects 
  • Since the Kaladan project is not only a regional connectivity endeavour but a pivotal element of India’s strategic ambitions to counter Chinese influence and enhance stability in its northeastern territories.
• Engaging with non-state actors in conflict zones: The AA’s dominance over critical areas along the Kaladan project route and its assurances to not disrupt the project highlights the complexities of engaging with non-state actors in conflict zones. 
  • Careful Balance: India may find itself needing to strike a careful balance between respecting Myanmar’s sovereignty and pragmatically engaging with groups like the AA to protect its strategic interests.
• Maintain Relationship with Military Junta: India has maintained good relationship with the Military junta even during their previous rule.
  • Since 1990: India’s policy toward Myanmar has emphasised engagement with the ruling powers that place a premium on security and political interests over promoting democratic principles in neighbouring nations.
• Uphold Democratic Ideals: As a member of democratic club, India would have to keep a distance from autocratic military rulers, else it would attract the wrath of the international community.
• Stopping Narcotics Trade: The conflict in Myanmar has given rise to narcotics trade as the trade will be used to fund armed struggle against the military.
• Reduce Chinese Influence: China wields significant influence over the military regime. India would not like to see a puppet regime in its backyard. 

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