Junta boss claims adherence to Geneva Conventions, derision follows

By Admin 10 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 September 2024, Sittwe

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has claimed that his regime complies with the Geneva Conventions in Myanmar's ongoing civil war.

Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), met Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Monday to discuss the provision of humanitarian aid in Myanmar.

During the meeting, the two "exchanged frank views on measures the Tatmadaw [Myanmar military] is taking in line with Geneva Conventions," junta media reported.

The two also discussed the need for cooperation to make sure humanitarian assistance reaches those in need and does not fall into the hands of "unrelated organisations," junta media reports added. It is not clear what the regime means by unrelated organisations, but many have interpreted Min Aung Hlaing's comment as referring to anti-regime groups.

Though Min Aung Hlaing insists that his army sticks to the Geneva Conventions, its air and artillery attacks are causing civilian casualties and property damage daily.

"The regime says so to cover its crimes," said one Arakanese man. "Don't look far, everything it has done in Arakan State during the latest fighting violates the Geneva Conventions."

The 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are international treaties that contain the most important rules limiting the barbarity of war. They protect people who do not take part in the fighting (civilians, medics, aid workers) and those who can no longer fight (wounded, sick and shipwrecked troops, prisoners of war).