The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will begin public hearings in the genocide case filed by The Gambia against Myanmar over alleged atrocities committed against the Rohingya community today. The hearings, to be held at The Hague, will continue until January 29 and focus on the merits of the case, including the examination of witnesses and expert testimony.
The case stems from Myanmar’s 2017 military crackdown in northern Rakhine State, which forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh amid allegations of mass killings, sexual violence and arson. In November 2019, The Gambia brought the case before the world court, accusing Myanmar of violating the Genocide Convention. The proceedings seek a legal determination of Myanmar’s state responsibility, not criminal liability of individuals.
Human rights groups said the hearings mark a critical step toward justice for the Rohingya. “Seeing Gambia’s landmark case finally enter the merits phase delivers renewed hope to the Rohingya that our decades-long suffering may finally end,” said Wai Wai Nu of the Women’s Peace Network.
The ICJ had earlier ordered provisional measures in January 2020, requiring Myanmar to prevent genocidal acts and preserve evidence. Rights groups say serious abuses against Rohingya have continued, especially since the 2021 military coup and renewed fighting in Rakhine State.
In July 2022, the court rejected Myanmar’s objections to its jurisdiction, allowing the case to proceed. Observers say the hearings could have far-reaching implications for accountability and the protection of persecuted minorities worldwide.
