Myanmar's military government has rejected accusations of genocide against the Rohingya minority, claiming the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, is "flawed and unfounded." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement through state media on Wednesday, criticizing the suit brought by The Gambia.

The statement asserted that The Gambia's allegations are based on biased reports and unreliable evidence, rendering them invalid under international law. Ko Ko Hlaing, Myanmar's Union Minister for the Ministry of the President's Office, attended the ICJ proceedings.

The Gambia filed the case in 2019, accusing Myanmar of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention during a 2017 military crackdown that forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, have faced decades of persecution and discrimination in Myanmar, a majority-Buddhist nation. They have been denied citizenship and many basic rights.

The ICJ, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has the authority to settle disputes between states. While its rulings are binding, the court lacks direct enforcement mechanisms, relying on the UN Security Council for implementation.

The case has drawn international attention to the plight of the Rohingya and the human rights situation in Myanmar. Several international organizations and human rights groups have documented evidence of widespread atrocities committed against the Rohingya, including killings, rape, and arson.

The United States has described the Myanmar military's actions against the Rohingya as genocide. Other countries and international bodies have also condemned the violence and called for accountability.

The ICJ has already issued provisional measures ordering Myanmar to protect the Rohingya population from further harm. The current proceedings are focused on determining whether Myanmar has violated the Genocide Convention. The case is expected to continue for several years.