The UN High Court in The Hague rejected Myanmar’s preliminary objections in the case in which the country’s military regime is accused of the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority .
KYIV. UkraineGate. 23. July . 2022 | War News .
Details
It was also stated that the court has jurisdiction over the matter. This paves the way for hearings, although Myanmar does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction. The claim was filed by The Gambia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
“Responsibility for a possible violation of obligations erga omnes partes (“regarding all” – ed.) in accordance with the genocide convention can be brought within the framework of institutional proceedings in court, regardless of whether a special interest can be demonstrated,” the head announced Court Joan Donohue.
The plaintiffs claim that in 2017, a military operation was launched in Myanmar against the Rohingya Muslims, which killed thousands of people. This was accompanied by murders, torture, rape of women and children. Several hundred villages were burned to the ground, sometimes along with the population. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh.
The Myanmar government says Gambia cannot act as a plaintiff because it is not directly involved in the case. However, the court did not see any legal grounds for these objections. It is currently unknown when the main trial will begin: proceedings at the UN International Court of Justice could take years.
Addition
About two years ago, the court already issued an interim decision, obliging Myanmar to immediately take under the protection of Rohingya Muslims. At the time, the country’s then-leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, denied the allegations and was criticized for her inaction in preventing war crimes. Last year, Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested in a military coup and sentenced to prison.
The International Court of Justice is the main judicial body of the UN that resolves legal disputes between states. The case of Myanmar is also being considered at the International Criminal Court. The jurisdiction of this independent judicial body extends to the most serious international crimes, including genocide. Both courts are located in The Hague.
Source: Ukrgate