Gambia accuses Myanmar of genocide against Rohingya at ICJ

Gambia accuses Myanmar of 'horrific violence' against Rohingya at International Court.

Photo by Sadek Husein

Gambia's Justice Minister told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Myanmar deliberately targeted the Rohingya minority with "horrific violence" to destroy the community. The case accuses Myanmar of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention during a crackdown in 2017. Myanmar has denied genocide. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled violence by the Myanmar army and Buddhist militias, escaping to Bangladesh. The United States officially declared the violence amounted to genocide in 2022. Currently, 1.17 million Rohingya live in camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

Key Facts

Gambia: Accuses Myanmar of Rohingya genocide at ICJ

Myanmar: Denies genocide

US: Declared violence as genocide in 2022

Rohingya refugees: 1.17 million in Cox's Bazar

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: International Relations, Human Rights

Link to India's refugee policy and neighborhood first policy

Potential for questions on ICJ jurisdiction and Genocide Convention

Visual Insights

Rohingya Crisis: Key Locations

Map showing Myanmar (Rakhine State) where the Rohingya faced persecution and Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where the majority of refugees reside.

Loading interactive map...

📍Myanmar📍Bangladesh📍The Hague, Netherlands

More Information

Background

The Rohingya issue is rooted in complex historical, ethnic, and religious dynamics. While Rohingya claim ancestry in Rakhine State dating back centuries, they are largely viewed as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh by Myanmar's government and many of its citizens. The 1982 Citizenship Law stripped most Rohingya of their citizenship, rendering them stateless.

Prior to the 2017 crackdown, decades of discrimination and persecution included restrictions on movement, marriage, and access to education and healthcare. This systematic marginalization created a fertile ground for the violence that erupted in 2017, which the ICJ case addresses.

Latest Developments

Beyond the ICJ case, the Rohingya crisis continues to be a major humanitarian and political challenge. Bangladesh, struggling to support the massive refugee population, has faced increasing pressure to repatriate Rohingya to Myanmar. However, conditions in Rakhine State remain unsafe and uncertain, with limited progress on addressing the root causes of the conflict.

The international community is grappling with how to ensure accountability for past atrocities and create conditions for safe, voluntary, and dignified return. The role of ASEAN and other regional actors in mediating a solution is also under scrutiny. The military coup in Myanmar in 2021 has further complicated the situation, hindering any potential progress towards resolving the crisis.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the International Court of Justice (ICJ): 1. The ICJ can only hear disputes between states. 2. The ICJ's jurisdiction is compulsory for all UN member states. 3. The ICJ can issue advisory opinions to UN bodies and specialized agencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.1 and 3 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

The ICJ's jurisdiction is based on consent, not compulsory for all UN members. States must agree to be bound by its decisions. The other two statements are correct.

2. In the context of the Rohingya crisis, which of the following actions would constitute 'Genocide' as defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention? 1. Deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the group's physical destruction. 2. Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group. 3. Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: D

All three actions are explicitly listed as acts of genocide in Article II of the 1948 Genocide Convention.