ICJ to rule on Myanmar’s alleged Rohingya genocide on 19 November
The International Court of Justice will deliver its judgment on 19 November in a case brought by The Gambia alleging that Myanmar violated the Genocide Convention in its crackdown on the Rohingya. Myanmar denies genocide; the court’s ruling will determine the country’s state responsibility, not the criminal liability of individuals, according to Human Rights Watch.
Bottom line — The ICJ judgment is final, and its decision will address Myanmar’s responsibility under the Genocide Convention.
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Human Rights Watch says Myanmar security forces’ 2017 campaign forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.
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More than one million Rohingya still live in Bangladesh, according to AFP reporting carried by RFI and The Star.
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The ICJ ordered Myanmar in 2020 to prevent genocidal acts and preserve evidence; Myanmar has submitted 12 compliance reports, Human Rights Watch says.
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The Gambia says Myanmar failed to comply with those orders; Myanmar has described the genocide allegations as unsubstantiated, according to AFP.
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Human Rights Watch says 11 countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland, were permitted to intervene on questions about interpreting the Genocide Convention.
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The ICJ’s ruling is binding, but Human Rights Watch notes that the UN Security Council has never used its discretionary power to enforce an ICJ judgment.
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The ICJ case concerns state responsibility. Separately, the ICC prosecutor requested an arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing in 2024 over alleged crimes against humanity, according to AFP.