London, UK -- Burma Human Rights Network strongly welcomes efforts by the Gambia to bring Burma before the International Court of Justice for violating the UN’s Genocide Convention. The move brings hope to the Rohingya who have faced decades of severe persecution by the country’s military and government. In 2016 and 2017 a major military campaign that involved countless cases of rape, murder, and torture displaced nearly a million Rohingya from the country.
“We are extremely grateful to the Gambia for bringing this case to the ICJ. This action has given tremendous hope to those who have suffered so greatly and found the world to be cold and indifferent to their plight. We call on the ICJ to adopt the case so that justice for the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in Burma can finally be a reality,” said BHRN’s Executive Director, Kyaw Win.
Burma became a signatory to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in 1956, agreeing that genocide is a crime under international law which other states can seek measures to prevent or stop. Crimes against the Rohingya, Kachin, Rakhine, Shan and other ethnic minorities by the Burmese military are absolutely deserving of consideration by the ICJ to see if Burma violated this or other international treaties.
The Gambia has played a key role in bringing this case to the ICJ for consideration and BHRN calls on the international community to support these efforts. Some members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation are supporting the Gambia in their application and the rest must do the same. ASEAN nations have an important role in supporting these efforts for the security of their own borders and the integrity of their own charter which protects the human rights of civilians. The US, EU, and the UK must play an active role in supporting the application where their influence is especially strong and capable to convince many other nations to follow. By adopting these measures, the ICJ will not only give the possibility of justice to the Rohingya, but they will also help enshrine and guarantee human rights around the world. Finally, Burma must also agree to comply with the ICJ and any future tribunal in the UN to ensure that there is justice in their country and that their citizens may have a free and equitable future.
Background on the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN)
BHRN is based in London and operates across Burma/Myanmar working for human rights, minority rights and religious freedom in the country. BHRN has played a crucial role in advocating for human rights and religious freedom with politicians and world leaders.
Media Enquiries
Please contact:
Kyaw Win
Executive Director
Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN)
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