International Court of Justice concludes Rohingya genocide hearings

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has concluded three weeks of hearings regarding a genocide case against Myanmar concerning massacres of the Rohingya people. A verdict is expected in at least six months.

The case was brought by The Gambia in 2019 on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It marks a significant precedent in international law, as it is the first time a state not directly affected by the events has brought another to court for genocide.

The Gambia alleges that Myanmar failed to prevent and punish genocidal acts in Rakhine State, violating the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. The accusations include mass killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of entire communities since 2016. In 2017, the Myanmar military killed thousands and forced approximately 750,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.

During proceedings, legal representatives noted that Myanmar officials had previously described the Rohingya as an ‘impure and subhuman race.’ The court also heard closed-door testimony from Rohingya survivors regarding the atrocities committed against them.