Gambia files a Genocide Case at the International Court of Justice
The Rohingya genocide in Myanmar is considered one of the most pressing human rights challenges of our times. There have been various attempts at pursuing accountability, but most have made little to no progress. Today at The Hague Humanity Hub, Gambia announced that it has filed an application at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Myanmar. The application alleges crimes of mass murder, rape, and destruction of Rakhine State communities.
No Peace Without Justice organised today’s meeting at the Humanity Hub with the participation of Hon. Abubacarr Tambadou, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Gambia. Attendees ranged from legal experts and observers to representatives of the Rohingya community and others most supportive of this initiative.
Genocide is a crime under international law, and all States have an obligation to prevent, to punish, and to not commit genocide. Myanmar has failed in adhering to its obligations on all counts in its brutal treatment of the Rohingya, who have been subjected to wanton acts of violence and malicious degradation with the specific intent of State actors to destroy the Rohingya as a group.
11 November 2019 press release by the Gambia Ministry of Justice.
The minister used the opportunity to provide an update on the ICJ initiative. He and his team addressed the implications of State responsibility under the Genocide Convention for deterring further crimes and providing redress for the victims, and the role of civil society and other stakeholders in this important accountability initiative.
The meeting was organised together with the Association pour la Lutte Contre l’Impunité et pour la Justice Transitionnelle, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect, the Global Justice Center, Human Rights Watch, the International Bar Association Human Rights Initiative, Parliamentarians for Global Action and the Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice.
