Union Betterment Party (UBP) led by Thura Shwe Mann issued a statement on December 6 in support of the State Counsellor's planned trip to Gambia in defense of the lawsuit against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

The statement claims hope that the Myanmar delegation led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi as the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs will defend Myanmar's sovereignty and integrity and try its best for the dignity of the citizens. 

It points out that the State Counsellor, despite not being President, is a State leader as well as chairperson of the ruling party. 

It is assumed that the allegations could well be rebuffed after clarification of Myanmar's real situation.

UBP suggests the defense against the lawsuit should go in line with the international laws and conventions and the rules and procedures of ICJ. 

Gambia, a mainly Muslim West African country, filed a lawsuit on November 11 accusing Myanmar of genocide, the most serious international crime. The hearing will be from December 10 to 12. 

The Myanmar government announced on November 23 that State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, as Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, will lead the delegation and go to the Netherlands where ICJ is headquartered to defy the case.