Nationalist Monk Shrugs Off Accusations in Rohingya Genocide Case

Prominent pro-junta monk Sitagu Sayadaw has shrugged off accusations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that one of his sermons likening non-Buddhists to animals legitimized genocide against the Rohingya.

The ultranationalist cleric, who heads the Shwe Kyin Buddhist sect, said during a Dhamma talk on Wednesday in Mandalay that there is “no case” against him, telling the assembled faithful that the lawsuit presented at The Hague did not implicate him personally.

The sermon presented as evidence at the ICJ “has triggered a bit of hullaballoo,” he said. “Not a problem though.”