Myanmar military faces Rohingya genocide case at UN court

The Gambia has brought a genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice in The Hague; hearings are scheduled through 29 January with Myanmar to present its defence from 16–20 January.

A genocide case alleging abuses against the Rohingya opened this week at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The Gambia filed the case, citing military operations in 2016–2017 that forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Myanmar denies the allegation of genocide. Survivors are expected to give evidence during the hearings, which run this month. Key points: - The Gambia accuses Myanmar's military of actions in 2016–2017 that it says aimed to destroy the Rohingya as a group and seeks a ruling under the Genocide Convention. - The ICJ hearings are scheduled to run through 29 January; the Gambia presents initial arguments first and Myanmar is due to present from 16–20 January. - The ICJ case is a state-level proceeding to determine whether Myanmar breached its obligations under the Genocide Convention, not a criminal trial of individuals. - The court imposed provisional measures on Myanmar in 2020 to protect the Rohingya and preserve evidence; rights groups say abuses have continued. Summary: The proceedings could influence how future genocide allegations are assessed and may clarify whether patterns of violence and displacement can indicate genocidal intent. A judgment could be issued within about six to 12 months, and the hearings in The Hague conclude on 29 January.