ISPSW Strategy Series: Focus on Defense and International Security Issue Myanmar’s Rohingya Problem in Context No. 485 Anchalee Rüland May 2017 institutions (i.e. defense, interior, border affairs, police and army) continue to be run by the military. Sanctions in response to the subsequent military violence should therefore target the military leadership. By instead welcoming the commander in chief of the Myanmar forces in Germany, Italy and Austria as seen in April 2017, the respective governments not only send the wrong signal, but also fundamentally undermine the European Union’s human rights critique of Myanmar. In view of such hypocrisy it is not surprising that Aung San Suu Kyi refuses to receive a fact finding mission of the UN Human Rights Council in the country. Given the power the military still holds, there is no guarantee that it will allow the NLD to continue governing, if it sees its own interests threatened. Instead of playing into the hands of the military by further undermining Aung San Suu Kyi’s strongest asset – her reputation – the international community should encourage her administration and facilitate development especially in Rakhine. *** Remarks: Opinions expressed in this contribution are those of the author. About the Author of this Issue Anchalee Rüland is a Ph.D. candidate at the European University Institute in Florence. She is currently writing a thesis entitled ‘Norms In Conflict: Non-interference vs Protection of Human Rights in Southeast Asia.’ Anchalee Rüland © Institut für Strategie- Politik- Sicherheits- und Wirtschaftsberatung ISPSW Giesebrechtstr. 9 10629 Berlin Germany Tel +49 (0)30 88 91 89 05 Fax +49 (0)30 88 91 89 06 5 E-Mail: info@ispsw.de Website: http://www.ispsw.de