Cultural Genocide, the Forgotten Nemesis of Cultural Heritage. Case Study of the Genocide of Rohingya in Myanmar

Abstract

Refusing the recognition of cultural genocide as a legal term affects the effectiveness of the prevention and punishment of genocide. The 2018 Human Rights Council report on Myanmar is pivotal, as a new case of genocide creates the opportunity to rethink and reevaluate the 1948 definition of genocide. The quintuple genocidal intent proves that the aim of destroying the Rohingyan tangible and intangible cultural heritage is very much present in the mind of Myanmar’s government. The systematical destruction of mosques, religious symbols and madrasahs, yet also the methodical execution of priests, artists and teachers demonstrate the existence of cultural genocidal policies. Persecuting those having committed genocide and other crimes against the Rohingya creates the opportunity to evaluate the essence of genocide. The contemporary study and interpretation of genocide already attributes a triple role to cultural genocide. It proves the intent, is an independent aim and is intrinsically linked to the fulfilment of physical genocide.