By Kyaw Phyo Tha 20 January 2020

YANGON—A Myanmar government commission set up to investigate alleged human rights violations in Rakhine State said killings and displacement of Rohingya Muslims during security forces’ clearance operations there did not have “genocidal intent”, contradicting the findings of UN investigators.

The Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE) submitted its final report to Myanmar President U Win Myint and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday. Despite its denial of genocidal intent, the report admitted that “war crimes, serious human rights violations, and violations of domestic law took place.” The 461-page report is widely viewed as Myanmar’s counter narrative to the international version of events, which has been harshly critical of the country.

The release of the long-awaited report came just two days shy of the International Court of Justice’s ruling on whether to approve The Gambia’s request that provisional measures be taken against Myanmar. The small African nation filed a lawsuit with the court accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya.