The Hague – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) commences hearings today in a landmark case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The proceedings, which open today, represent a significant moment as the court thoroughly examines such allegations for the first time in over a decade.
The case, brought before the ICJ by The Gambia in 2019 with the backing of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, centers on alleged atrocities committed against the Rohingya population in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The lawsuit accuses Myanmar of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention.
The hearings are scheduled to last for three weeks. Legal experts suggest the outcome could establish critical precedents regarding the definition, proof, and handling of genocide accusations. The hearings come as South Africa has brought a similar lawsuit against Israel concerning the war in Gaza.
During initial ICJ hearings in 2019, then-Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi refuted the accusations. However, the case is largely based on findings from a UN fact-finding mission, which concluded that Myanmar’s 2017 military campaign, which forced approximately 730,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, included acts that could constitute genocide.
While the current hearings will include testimonies from victims detailing the abuses they suffered, these sessions will be held behind closed doors, inaccessible to the public and media due to the sensitive nature of the information.
The ICJ’s decision in this case is anticipated to have far-reaching legal consequences, potentially influencing future cases involving allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity. DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
