by Hafizur Rahman
Myanmar authorities, backed by the military council, are forcing residents in Yangon to take part in a protest in support of the army during ongoing hearings at the International Court of Justice, according to local sources.
Residents in several areas, including Ahlone Township, said officials ordered each household to send at least one person to a protest scheduled for 27 January. People were warned that refusal could lead to punishment, including the suspension of household registration services. Some families were reportedly forced to sign written guarantees confirming their participation.
Forced mobilization across cities
Similar forced mobilization has been reported in other cities, including Mandalay. Local sources said military supporters, nationalist Buddhist groups, and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Party are preparing demonstrations, with around 1,000 participants expected in each city.
Residents said extremist monks and groups openly aligned with the military council are expected to lead the protests. Observers believe the demonstrations are being organized to project public support for the military while the genocide case against Myanmar is being heard at the ICJ.
Restrictions on speech
Earlier this week, the military council warned the public not to criticize the ICJ or its judges. The warning was broadcast on Myawaddy TV, a military owned television channel, highlighting the junta’s continued control over public speech and media.
Local residents said the warnings have increased fear, with many people reluctant to speak openly about the ICJ hearings or the situation inside the country.
ICJ case on Rohingya genocide
The ICJ in The Hague is currently hearing a case filed by The Gambia, which accuses Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya during the 2017 military operations in Rakhine State.
The case was submitted in November 2019 under the Genocide Convention. In 2018, a United Nations fact finding mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe that Myanmar had committed genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya population.
The Gambia’s case is supported by 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as several other countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada.
As the hearings continue, residents inside Myanmar say forced participation in political events and strict controls on expression are being used to shape public narratives while independent voices remain suppressed.
