The Hague: An international court case against Myanmar for alleged genocide against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority is being contested by Yangon’s foreign ministry, which described the accusations as "flawed and unfounded." The ministry released a statement urging the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to base its judgment strictly on facts and established law as outlined by the Genocide Convention.
According to France24.com, the ICJ began hearings in The Hague on Monday, where judges are listening to three weeks of testimony regarding accusations made by The Gambia. The allegations concern a 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar, which reportedly forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. These refugees recounted severe violence, including mass rape, arson, and murder.
On the opening day of the hearings, Gambia's Justice Minister Dawda Jallow asserted that the Rohingya "have been targeted for destruction." Myanmar's legal representatives are scheduled to present their response in court on Friday.
Myanmar's foreign ministry criticized the claims by The Gambia, labeling them as "flawed and unfounded in fact and law" and argued that biased reports based on unreliable evidence do not establish truth. Despite being under military rule since a coup in 2021, Myanmar claims to be cooperating with the ICJ in a show of respect for international law. The statement notably avoided using the term Rohingya, referring instead to "persons from Rakhine state."
Currently, approximately 1.17 million Rohingya are living in overcrowded camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Myanmar has consistently defended its military's actions, asserting the crackdown was a necessary response to Rohingya insurgent attacks that resulted in the deaths of security personnel.
The ICJ's final decision on the matter could take months or even years to be reached. Although the court lacks enforcement power, a ruling favoring The Gambia could increase international political pressure on Myanmar.
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