Australian ambassador meets with Myanmar military chief accused of Rohingya genocide

The Guardian
Ben Doherty
@bendohertycorro
Thu 20 Feb 2020



Exclusive: Australia accused of giving legitimacy and credibility to a military accused of mass atrocities

 Australia’s ambassador to Myanmar, Andrea Faulkner, met Min Aung Hlaing on 29 January at the Bayintnaung Villa in the capital, Naypyidaw. Photograph: Supplied 

The commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s defence forces – recommended by the UN for investigation and prosecution for war crimes and genocide – has met with Australia’s ambassador and says he wants to train more of his officers in Australia.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is the supreme commander of Myanmar’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, which has been accused of genocide in its systematic persecution of the ethnic and religious minority Rohingya.