International Court of Justice Hears Genocide Case Against Myanmar Amid Official Denials

International Court of Justice Hears Genocide Case Against Myanmar Amid Official Denials
————————
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is continuing to hear a case against Myanmar over allegations of genocide against the Rohingya minority. Myanmar’s government maintains that the accusations are “baseless,” while the case presents evidence and testimonies pointing to systematic and severe human rights violations.

During court sessions, Myanmar argued that its 2017 military campaign was part of a “counter-terrorism” effort in response to attacks by armed groups, denying that civilians were targeted or that the operations were intended as genocide.

In contrast, The Gambia, which filed the case on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, submitted evidence documenting mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and systematic village destruction, arguing that these acts represent serious violations of international law and indicate clear intent to commit genocide.

According to information presented to the court, more than 1.17 million Rohingya currently live in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh after fleeing violence in Rakhine State, marking one of the largest forced displacements in modern times.

The Gambia’s arguments draw on reports from the UN Fact-Finding Mission, which in 2018 concluded that Myanmar’s military actions may legally constitute genocide, including mass killings, systematic rape, and the burning of hundreds of villages. Additional sources cited include reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, supported by satellite imagery and survivor testimonies.

Court hearings are scheduled to continue until January 29, with judges set to hear additional testimonies, including from victims, before moving to deliberations. A final ruling could take several months or even years.

The case is receiving widespread international attention due to its potential legal precedent and implications for similar cases involving genocide and serious human rights violations worldwide.