Who is the face of modern ethnic hatred?

Is there a new contender in the race?

Shafiur Rahman (We copied the article from dhakatribune for our readers.)

Who is the face of modern ethnic hatred? Figures like Netanyahu, Milosevic, Karadzic, and Min Aung Hlaing come to mind, but Twan Morn Naing is the latest contender. Not only is he the brother of Twan Myat Naing, the Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army and another voice of genocidal rhetoric, but Twan Morn Naing is carving his own path in the annals of hate.

The Dhaka Tribune has published a transcript and a video from 2018 featuring this advocate for ethnic cleansing. Twan Morn Naing’s speech is a chilling manifesto of prejudice, focusing on the displacement of Muslim minorities and the manipulation of international perceptions. 

In a speech riddled with bigotry and thinly veiled calls for ethnic cleansing, Twan Morn Naing exposes a strategic mind and a complete absence of moral compass. His casual use of the term “Kalar,” a deeply racist epithet against the Rohingya, sets the tone for a discourse that dehumanizes entire populations. Rather than advocating for peace or mutual respect, Twan Morn Naing’s rhetoric revolves around the strategic extermination and displacement of those he deems “enemies.” This is a lot more than political strategizing; it’s a blueprint for genocide, couched in the language of nationalist fervour.

Although he advocates for non-violence, his reasoning is more strategic than moral, emphasizing the impracticality of killing large numbers of people rather than the inherent value of human life. As he chillingly states, “It is not the solution if 100, 200, or 1,000 enemies were killed. Because, there’s more than 600,000 Bengalis.”

The idea of forcibly displacing or expelling an ethnic group as an alternative to outright killing is indeed a tactic that has been employed by certain leaders throughout history in pursuit of ethnic cleansing. One notable example is Adolf Hitler. In his speeches and writings, Hitler often discussed the “Jewish Question” and, while initially considering and attempting mass extermination, he also explored other options like forced emigration and deportation because of the logistical challenges and international scrutiny associated with mass killings.

Another example is Slobodan Milošević during the Bosnian War. While the genocide in Srebrenica showed a willingness to use mass killing, there were also strategic considerations about ethnic cleansing through forced displacement rather than outright mass extermination, partly due to practical and international constraints. Milošević and Serbian propagandists popularized the term “ethnic cleansing” as a euphemism to deny and downplay the genocidal nature of their actions.

Bosnian Serb forces under Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic pursued this policy of ethnic cleansing against Bosnian Muslims, involving mass expulsions, forced displacement, and the establishment of ethnic enclaves. Similarly, in the 1990s, the Hutu-led government in Rwanda forcibly displaced and expelled hundreds of thousands of Tutsis before and during the Rwandan genocide.

While the motivations and tactics varied, in each of these cases, the leaders sought to create ethnically homogeneous territories or nations through forced displacement and expulsion, rather than outright extermination of the targeted groups. However, these policies all led to widespread violence, atrocities, and large-scale loss of life.

Twan Morn Naing’s rhetoric and strategy align disturbingly with these historical precedents. His call for the strategic settlement of Arakanese people in contested areas, while ostensibly non-violent, is a thinly veiled attempt at ethnic cleansing. By emphasizing the impracticality of mass killings and focusing on forced displacement, Twan Morn Naing is echoing a dark and dangerous chapter of history, aiming to manipulate demographics through coercion and fear

Moreover, Twan Morn Naing’s contempt for international efforts and reports, such as those from the Kofi Annan Commission, reveals his disdain for any form of accountability, justice, dialogue, or reconciliation. By dismissing these initiatives and advocating for deceit and manipulation in the media, he exhibits a cynical and dangerous approach to conflict resolution. 

In essence, his speech is a masterclass in incitement, exacerbating ethnic and religious tensions with every word. This is a man who sees peace not as an end but as an obstacle to his twisted vision of ethnic purity and territorial control.  His vision for the future is one where ethnic cleansing and manipulation are the tools of choice. The speech paints a dark and terrifying picture of what could come to pass if such ideologies are left unchecked. His complete lack of empathy, combined with a strategic mind bent on dominance, marks him as a figure whose beliefs and actions are a grave threat to peace and humanity.

It is hardly surprising, then, to see his brother, Twan Mrat Naing, the Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army, making equally incendiary statements and aiming to exploit ethnic tensions. Twan Mrat Naing has shown a penchant for perpetuating misinformation, as evidenced by his promotion of baseless and inflammatory articles. His recent remarks trivializing the genocide of the Rohingya and equating deeply offensive terms reveal a staggering disregard for human suffering. This toxic combination of propaganda, manipulation, and outright lies serves to distract from the Arakan Army’s own oppressive actions, further fuelling the cycle of violence and hatred. Together, the two brothers represent a dangerous force, driven by a twisted vision of ethnic domination and willing to incite atrocity to achieve their goals.

Developments in Arakan this year have shown that some of this has already started. Recent statements by multiple Rohingya organizations and 195 “revolutionary forces and civil society organizations” have pointed out the brutal realities, naming the Arakan Army (AA) and detailing its culpability in forced displacements, extrajudicial killings, and other atrocities. 

The international community must recognize and condemn such rhetoric for what it is: A blueprint for genocide. In failing to address and counter these ideologies, we risk repeating the horrific mistakes of the past. The brothers need to be reminded of the fates of the Serb leaders, the Rwandan génocidaires, the ICC arrest warrant hanging over Netanyahu, and the eternal infamy of Hitler.

Shafiur Rahman is a journalist and documentary film-maker.