Broad welcome to Myanmar delegation that attended the public hearing relating to preliminary objections
NAY PYI TAW March 2
The Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for International Cooperation U Ko Ko Hlaing and Union Minister for Legal Affairs and Attorney-General Dr Thida Oo that attended the public hearing relating to the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the Netherlands, arrived back in Yangon by air this evening.
The delegation was welcomed at Yangon Airport by Chief Minister of Yangon Region U Soe Thein, Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Nyunt Win Swe, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Myo Htut, regional ministers and departmental officials.
The delegation was also warmly welcomed by officials from political parties, Myanmar Interfaith Group (Central), Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA-Central), department officials and public members including monks who are supporting its activities holding State flags and vinyl placards reading warm welcome accorded to the delegation who acted at the ICJ bravely in the interests of the State and the people.
Myanmar made effective arguments before the Court from the legal perspective that the Court lacks jurisdiction and/or The Gambia’s Application is inadmissible concerning the application filed by the Gambia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) alleging the Republic of the Union of Myanmar of violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The public hearing relating to the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar was held from 21 to 28 February in the Peace Palace, The Hague, the Netherlands.
At the hearing, Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing made a statement that the ICJ lacks jurisdiction and/or The Gambia’s Application is inadmissible. International advocates representing Myanmar also presented their arguments with firm evidence.
U Ko Ko Hlaing
We defended the sovereignty of the State and the national interests of the people as much as possible in making utmost efforts at the ICJ in The Hague for the nation. The whole country stands with us in the process.
So, the applauses of the people who stand with us gave much confidence to us. Now, a large number of people welcome us back. I am pleased for their warm welcome to us in arousing. Such a move will be shifted into the confidence for us to carry on.
Dr Thida Oo
I tried my best for the State with utmost efforts. So, I am very satisfied with my efforts.
This case was conducted under the legal process only. We did the legal process only that no one has rights to cause controversy under the Genocide Convention.
No one lacks filing. The court lacks jurisdiction and the case is inadmissible. So, I did my best for all functions related to the legal affairs. As I really served the State, I am very pleased for the people who stand with us.
The last one
Saya U Ko Ko Hlaing and Daw Thida Oo representing Myanmar submitted the presentation on preliminary objections at the ICJ. When The Gambia on other side submitted the case against Myanmar at the ICJ in the Netherlands, the delegation of our country went to the Netherlands in responding to The Gambia as part of strictly following the legal process. The people have already known the response to the filing. We respectfully responded to the legal filing of the Gambia in accord with the international law. So, the entire Myanmar people are pleased for the vivid behaviors of the Myanmar delegation in democratically following the laws. The people embracing the same soul welcome back the Myanmar delegation.