Abstract:
This thesis entitled The Crime of Genocide: A Case Study of the Rohingya in Myanmar explores factors, circumstances and interactions between groups of people that may lead to the crime of genocide. The study looks into violence that were erupted in Myanmars Rakhine State between 2012 2017, and apply the Collective Action Theory, which was specifically developed to explain the crime of genocide, to the case study. The study shows that there is sufficient information to conclude that the situation in Rakhine State, especially the violence against the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017, amounted to acts of genocide, which were defined in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, because both physical elements and the genocidal intent were presented. After applying the Collective Action Theory to the case study, the researcher found that the situation in Rakhine State support the theory because all of the elements of the theory were presented i.e. elements regarding the nation-state regime, socially constructed groups, high individualization, and collectivized intent. However, this does not deny the fact that there are several case studies of genocide that do not support the Collective Action Theory; thus, such theory requires be further developed. The researcher also explored factors that led public opinion in shaping the identity of the Rohingya and factors that affected the economic and social structure and environment in Rakhine State - which led to the process of dehumanizing the Rohingya and the commission of the crime of genocide in accordance with the Collective Action Theory. This study found that geographical features, weather, natural resources, history, economics, race, religion, state regime type, the restrictions on civil and political rights and hate campaigns, constituted the above noted elements that led to violence in Rakhine State, both directly and indirectly. Based on the above, the crime of genocide can be addressed and prevented by preventing the above noted elements of the Collective Action Theory from happening, including by accelerating the process of transition towards democracy, embracing difference between groups and putting an end to de facto and de jure discrimination against the Rohingya, addressing social and economic inequality, putting an end to any policies that allow civilians to take part in military operations, and bringing the perpetrators to justice.