Al Jazeera: Government committing genocide in Myanmar

The government of Myanmar is triggering anti-Muslim riots and there is “strong evidence” genocide is taking place, an Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit has revealed.

Al Jazeera obtained eyewitness and documentary evidence that suggests the Myanmar government is triggering communal violence in order to achieve political gain.

The news organisation released Genocide Agenda today, a look at the Myanmar government’s actions against Muslims, and in which former United Nations’ Rapporteur on Myanmar says President Thein Sein should now be investigated for genocide.

The film also provides evidence that monks were offered money to join anti-Muslim, pro-government groups.

Al Jazeera’s investigation presents compelling evidence that marginalising Muslims and targeting the Rohingya plays into the hands of the military backed party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

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 investigation also reveals how the government triggers communal violence using hired thugs. A former member of Myanmar’s feared Military Intelligence service describes 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, “they paid money to people from outside.”

Researchers gained evidence that communal violence resulting in hundreds of deaths in 2012 was pre-planned. “It wasn’t communal violence. It was planned violence”, Professor Peggy Green said. “Express buses were organised” to bring Rakhine from outlying areas to take part in the violence.

“Refreshments, meals were provided,” she said. “It had to be paid by somebody. All of this suggests that it was very carefully planned.”

Al Jazeera’s film was completed in cooperation with Yale University Law School as well as the International State Crime Initiative at the University of London.