The Hague can be a lonely place for leaders far away from home, contesting accusations of horrific crimes. But when Aung San Suu Kyi defends her state against allegations of genocide at the UN’s top court next month, a group of loyal supporters have vowed to follow her every step of the way.
Famous television host and radio presenter Maung Maung Aye, 41, was among some friends who contacted a Yangon-based travel agent to help arrange visas, flights, accommodation to the Netherlands, where the domestically beloved leader will lead a defence team at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“It was for a very simple reason,” he said. “We totally trust her and she is the greatest leader of all time in Myanmar.”
Maung Maung Aye wrote a Facebook post promoting the five-day trip, which would give “spiritual support” to Aung San Suu Kyi and include half-day tours around Holland, a country just as famous for its canals and museums as its international crime disputes.
Packages cost US$2,420 per person for groups of 10 to $2,150 per person for groups of 20 and the supporters will arrive in Amsterdam on December 9—a day before the first public hearing of the ICJ case, which also happens to be International Human Rights Day.
Financial constraints mean many people will voice their encouragement from home, said Maung Maung Aye, whose own visa application to the Netherlands is being processed. “They have the same feelings, love and trust for our leader.”
Domestic support for the State Counsellor has grown to a crescendo of nationalist rallies and cross-party appeals framing the case as an effort to try Myanmar citizens instead of the state alone.
West African nation Gambia will open its case on behalf of the 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The mainly Muslim nation accuses Myanmar of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention through its bloody military crackdown in 2017 against its Rohingya Muslim community in Rakhine state.
On Monday, National Political Alliance League chairman U Thein Kyi told 7Day Daily the lawsuit accuses “all 50 million Myanmar” while the National League for Democracy released a statement saying it hoped all citizens would support Aung San Suu Kyi “to protect the interest of the country.”
The leader will attend the hearing in her capacity as foreign minister and today’s state newspaper published a statement from the ministry emphasising “this is an issue of high national interest affecting all nationals of Myanmar.”
On being asked whether he believes the hearing is directed at the political and military establishment or the Myanmar public, Maung Maung Aye told Myanmar Mix he did not want to “talk about the politics.”
“Whatever our leader says, we 100 percent agree, whatever our leader decides, we 100 percent agree, and we 100 percent follow her,” he added.
Twenty people have so far inquired about joining the trip, said tour agent worker Ma July, 30, who asked to withhold the name of her company, as “we don’t want to get tied up with politics.”
“It’s simply us providing a service to customers and, in this case, the customers would get a chance to support Aung San Suu Kyi and visit the Netherlands at the same time,” she said.
“We're breaking even, and everything we take from the travellers will be to cover the costs and nothing more.”
Social influencer Pencilo, 29, has shared the Facebook post promoting the trip and is also interested in joining.
“Mother Suu does not know this trip is happening,” she said. “This is just us being responsible citizens and providing support to her while she defends our country in court.
“As the accusations are directed towards the country, I think we all have a responsibility to take action.”
A rally is being planned on December 10 at a former airport site in Mandalay’s Chan Mya Tharzi township to support the state. Meanwhile, Myanmar nationals living outside their home country have already held protests against the ICJ case.
Dozens gathered outside the Gambian High Commission in London and there was also a small protest outside the Argentine embassy in London over the case filed against Myanmar leaders under the principle of “universal jurisdiction,” reported BBC Burmese.
