ICJ to Rule on Myanmar Rohingya Genocide Case on November 19

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will deliver its verdict on November 19 in the genocide case filed against Myanmar concerning the Rohingya community. The court announced this in a press release on Tuesday, November 3. The West African nation of Gambia filed the case against Myanmar in 2019. The ICJ stated that the judges will begin delivering the verdict at 10:00 AM local time on Thursday, November 19, at the Peace Palace, located in The Hague, Netherlands.

In the lawsuit, Gambia alleges that the military campaign conducted by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya in Rakhine State in 2017 amounted to genocide. Facing that military operation, at least 730,000 Rohingya were forced to flee and take refuge in Bangladesh. A United Nations investigative mission had also reported that genocidal acts took place during the military operation. Widespread allegations of violence, including killings, rapes, and arson of homes, emerged during the campaign.

However, Myanmar has consistently denied the allegations of genocide against the Rohingya. The country claims that the military action was undertaken as an anti-terrorism operation in response to attacks by armed groups. Myanmar has also dismissed Gambia’s allegations as groundless. According to legal experts, the ICJ’s ruling against Myanmar could have a significant impact on future cases concerning genocide under international law. Among these is the case filed by South Africa against Israel in 2023 over allegations of genocide in Gaza. However, Israel has also denied the accusations of genocide brought against it.

Source: Reuters