IT WAS an emotional and inspiring morning to see thousands of people waving Myanmar national flags, under the February sunshine, welcoming home our bravest and most gentle warriors from the frontline.
On 1 February 2026, the team of Myanmar Agent led by Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing and Union Minister and Union Attorney-General Dr Thida Oo arrived back at Yangon International Airport at around 9 am. The team’s return home was saluted with a big respect and a warm welcome by thousands of Myanmar nationals from different walks of life, enthusiastically, voluntarily and respectfully.
The togetherness of the people in the crowd by singing Myanmar’s national anthem while waving the national flags that morning was a perfect match that signals the solidarity of all Myanmar citizens in dealing with the genocide accusation.
Bravest and most gentle warriors with full respect and honour
The Agent of Myanmar and the legal team led by Lead Counsel Mr Christopher Staker, including Professor Alina Miron, Mr Stefan Talmon, Ms Chiara Cordone, and Ms Leigh Lawrie represented the Republic of the Union of Myanmar at the Public Hearings in the Case Concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia versus Myanmar) before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
They defended not only the truth and justice, as well as the pride and prestige of our country against the accusation of the utmost gravity with their professional skills, honour and unparalleled courage before the ICJ with solid evidence, historical facts and records from 12 to 29 January 2026.
Since the case is extremely significant for Myanmar, the people of Myanmar from various backgrounds are not only closely monitoring the follow-ups and the proceedings but also standing back together with the team.
The Agent of Myanmar Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing and the legal team presented truths and facts of what had really happened in Rakhine State in 2016 and 2017, which the world is not able to deny and refuse, while The Gambia made accusations based on emotions and make-up narratives. Within three weeks, the Gambia failed to present the evidence objectively or failed to meet the required legal evidentiary standards.
What is more, the Gambia insisted on using the self-claimed name for the Bengalis. We, our country and our people respect human rights, but we firmly reject the groundless accusations and demands.
Accordingly, the Agent of Myanmar and Myanmar’s Counsels contended, with a very detailed presentation as per the historical facts, that those populations are culturally, ethnically and religiously part of the same group as the population living immediately across the border in Bangladesh.
Citizenship status
It goes without saying that there are differences and conditions between the statuses of ‘National’ and ‘Citizen’ all over the world. Those who immigrated and lived in a country for a certain period of time, as prescribed by the specific laws, here in Myanmar, after three generations, with no violation nor breaching the laws of the host country, may have the right to naturalize their citizenship. Still, they must obey and abide by the Constitutional provisos and the host country’s existing laws.
The Gambia unreasonably demanded a guarantee for the citizenship of the Bengalis in the country, which they claim they are being genocided. Such ridiculous and absurd demands made by The Gambia in the hearings are unprofessional and out of reason. The citizenship matter, as a matter of fact, is under Myanmar’s supreme authority and thus, The Gambia or any other nation is not even qualified to criticize the 1982 Citizenship Law of Myanmar.
However, Agent of Myanmar Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing calmly explained with respect before the court about verification and scrutiny processes for citizenship statuses of Bengalis. “There are around two hundred thousand Bengalis holding citizenship cards across the country, and fifty thousand Bengalis holding NVCs in Rakhine State alone. Those who apply for an NVC and are found not to be entitled to citizenship can continue to live lawfully in Myanmar as holders of an NVC (National Verification Card),” said U Ko Ko Hlaing in the presentation.
Furthermore, “Despite this, many Bengalis in northern Rakhine State refuse to engage with the NVC process. Some refuse on political grounds. Some refuse because they are pressured by activists not to do so, or have received false information from activists that anyone who applies for an NVC will never be granted citizenship. All this has nothing to do with genocide,” he added in the hearing.
Argument for the nation’s pride
Dr Naing Swe Oo, senior advisor to Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, expressed his view and gratitude to the Myanmar Agent team as follows: -
“The Agent of Myanmar, led by Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing, argued for the pride of our country. We, all Myanmar citizens, are confident that we did not commit genocide. As a think tank personnel, I also monitored the case and observed that the Gambia only relied on the reports of FFM and IIMM (Fact-Finding Mission and Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar). But the team led by the Union Minister presented very detail in the appeal. I am very proud of and thank the Agent of Myanmar and the legal team.”
This article is dedicated to honouring the team of Myanmar Agent led by Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing and Union Minister and Union Attorney-General Dr Thida Oo, the legal team led by Lead Counsel Mr Christopher Staker, including Professor Alina Miron, Mr Stefan Talmon, Ms Chiara Cordone, and Ms Leigh Lawrie, and every member involved in the teams who defended the truth and justice for, and the pride and prestige of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and its people.
The people of Myanmar value and respect every single effort of both the Agent of Myanmar and Myanmar’s Counsels as the bravest but the gentlest warriors ever.
