Learning English

Suu Kyi defends Myanmar against Rohingya genocide charge

Myanmar's acting leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, will appear at a UN hearing in The Hague to defend Myanmar's actions towards thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled Myanmar in 2017.

Language challenge

Which adjective means 'actual, but not official'?

a) de trutho
b) de facto
c) de deduco
d) de actualo

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The story

The International Court of Justice in The Hague will shortly begin hearing a case brought by The Gambia accusing Myanmar of genocide. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar in 2017 when the Burmese army launched a bloody campaign against them. Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is in the Netherlands to lead the defence.

Key words and phrases

bolsters
makes (something) stronger

• A government-run community project often bolsters community spirit and morale.
• Her time helping the villages has bolstered their opinion of her as a doctor.

ray of hope
small signal that things will improve

• No matter how difficult a situation is, there's always a ray of hope.
• This final legal appeal offers a last ray of hope in this difficult court case.

moment of reckoning
time when past mistakes or crimes must be dealt with

• Returning home, the thief knew there would be a moment of reckoning.
• After months building a case, the moment of reckoning arrived for the defendant.

To do

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Language challenge answer

b) de facto

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