Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and the country's army chief and other officials have been put on trial at an international tribunal in Malaysia on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. The verdict is expected to be announced on Friday.
The hearing at the Permanent People's Tribunal (PPT) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, began on Monday. A panel of internationally renowned experts participated in the hearing, which was held at the Faculty of Law of the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur.
Gregory Stanton, a professor of Genocide Studies and Prevention at George Mason University in the United States, testified in the hearing. He said that Myanmar's military, police, other Buddhist militias, and the country's current civilian government are accused of crimes against humanity and genocide.
Regarding the Rohingya, he said that they are victims of deprivation and discrimination at all levels in Myanmar. Bangladesh Human Rights Commission Chairman Kazi Riazul Haque also participated in the hearing.
Today, the tribunal will present evidence on the persecution of Muslims in Myanmar. In the afternoon, the prosecution will make its closing arguments, followed by the defense.
The jury will present their arguments throughout the day on Thursday. The eight-member panel of judges includes prominent figures and lawyers involved in international crime investigations.
Chandra Muzaffar, chairman of the organizing committee of the Malaysian branch of the PPT, said that during the five-day session, the judges will analyze the prosecution's arguments, the opinions of expert witnesses, and the statements of victims. The verdict will be announced at 10 am local time on Friday. The judges' verdict will be sent to various international organizations and groups, including the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.