The Karenni Civil Society Network (KCSN) released a statement on Monday supporting the case brought by Gambia against the Burmese state at the international Court of Justice (ICJ) for crimes against humanity.

Gambia, on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, has charged Burma with committing genocide against the Rohingya community in Rakhine State. Hearings are taking place in the Hague, Netherlands from December 10-12.

State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi is heading the delegation from Burma to counter the charges.

“If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says that the army has not committed any war crimes or human rights abuses at court hearing… I think she is trying to extend the life of military dictators,” KCSN coordinator Khu Ko Reh told Kantarawaddy Times.

Organizations representing ethnic Karen and Shan communities have also released statements supporting the charges against Burma at the ICJ, in light of war crimes committed against their people by the military for decades.

Khu Ko Reh said that the same is true for the Karenni people.

“Human rights abuses widely occurred in ethnic regions in the past. These things are important to consider,” he explained, adding that he hopes that the international pressure will help end the perpetration of these crimes. “We expect the halt of human rights abuses in ethnic regions,” Khu Ko Reh said.

Monday’s statement was endorsed by 10 organizations, including Karenni State-based civil society groups, and members of the Karenni community abroad.