Myanmar Defends Itself at ICJ Against Rohingya Genocide Accusations

The government of Myanmar began its defense at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) this week against accusations of genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The case, brought by The Gambia before the UN's highest court, centers on Myanmar's military actions in Rakhine State in 2017, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Rohingya and the flight of over 700,000 refugees to neighboring Bangladesh.

Myanmar is denying the charges, with government representative Ko Ko Hlaing telling judges at the ICJ that The Gambia had failed to provide enough proof and that the allegation was "unsubstantiated," according to the BBC.

The proceedings at the ICJ underscore the ongoing international scrutiny of Myanmar's treatment of the Rohingya and its broader human rights record. The case unfolds against the backdrop of Myanmar's complex political situation, which has been under military rule since the 2021 coup.

Earlier in the week, The Gambia's Foreign Minister Dawda Jallow addressed the court, asserting that Myanmar sought to eliminate the Rohingya population through "genocidal policies," the BBC reported. The Gambia argues that Myanmar's actions constitute a violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The ICJ's decision could have significant implications for Myanmar, potentially leading to orders for provisional measures to protect the Rohingya population and ultimately, a determination on whether genocide occurred. The case is expected to continue for several months.