AJC, ICJ, HRW, AI & GJC: TOWARDS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY CONVENTION #HRC54

On 13 September, Asia Justice Coalition, and its members - International Commission of Jurists, Global Justice Center, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch co-hosted a side event to the 54^th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council entitled 'Towards A Crime Against Humanity Convention'. The panel comprised of Amb. Federico Villegas (Argentina), Amb. Muhammadou Kah (The Gambia), Amb. Nikola Gillhoff (Germany), and AJC secretariat head and members, including Dr Priya Pillai, Akila Radhakrishnan, Ian Seiderman,

GJC & BROUK: Q&A ON THE UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION CASE AGAINST MYANMAR

On 25 September, Global Justice Center and Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) published a Q&A about the ongoing universal jurisdiction case against Myanmar authorities for the crimes committed against the Rohingya in Argentina. Check the Q&A to know about the status of the case (crimes under investigation, testimonies and evidence recorded so far, the governing law, etc.), how the proceedings in Argentina complement the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case, International Criminal Court investigation, and other UJ filings, and what's next.

ICJ HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS ABOUT THE GRAVE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN MYANMAR

On 9 September, the International Commission of Jurists delivered a statement on the situation of human rights in Myanmar on the first day of the 54^th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council during the oral presentation of the report by the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM). ICJ highlighted the ‘deteriorating human rights and security situation in each of Myanmar’s neighboring States which complicates the work of the IIMM and frustrates efforts to protect victims and witnesses seeking to contribute to accountability efforts.’

LAW STATEMENT AT THE HRC ON THE REPORT ON MYANMAR

On 26 September, Legal Action Worldwide delivered a statement on behalf of a Rohingya survivor advocate on the presentation of the report by the High Commissioner during the 54th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council. LAW called for justice for the horrific crimes Rohingya have endured and reiterated that the conditions for safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar do not yet exist.

FORTIFY RIGHTS: ‘U.S.: INCREASE EFFORTS TO END JUNTA ATROCITIES IN MYANMAR, ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY’

On 13 September, Fortify Rights called on the members of the United States Congress and President Joe Biden’s administration to take consequential action to ensure accountability for those responsible for ongoing atrocities in Myanmar and deny the military junta access to weapons, revenue, and political recognition. Fortify Rights submitted a 14-page written statement for the U.S. Congressional Record as part of a hearing before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (the Lantos Commission), examining the human rights situation in Myanmar since the February 2021 military coup d’état.

BROUK: BURMESE ROHINGYA ORGANISATION UK WELCOMES DECISION OF FRANCE TO JOIN ICJ CASE

On 12 September, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK welcomed France’s decision to intervene in The Gambia v. Myanmar case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the Rohingya genocide. According to Tun Khin, “We now need to see France go further and support a meeting at the UN Security Council to address the Burmese military’s non-implementation of the provisional measures set out by the ICJ to stop the Rohingya genocide”.

AJAR: PRESENTATION OF ANALYSIS, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MYANMAR DAY TO ASEAN LEADERS

On 6 September, Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) co-wrote a letter to ASEAN leaders and presented analysis, findings, and recommendations from Myanmar Day - Hearing from People on the Ground and Experts in the Region. Amongst other recommendations, the statement called for human-rights based and victims-centred strategies to be developed in order for the regional bloc to navigate actions beyond the Five-Point Consensus. In particular, to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Myanmar.

HRW: MYANMAR MILITARY USED CLUSTER MUNITIONS IN 2022 - 2023

On 5 September, Human Rights Watch released its global “Cluster Munition Monitor 2023” report. The report documents the usage of domestically produced cluster bombs by the Myanmar military junta in 2022 and the first half of 2023. Myanmar has not signed or ratified the 2008 treaty banning cluster munitions.

GCR2P: ‘HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS CALL ON GOVERNMENTS TO END MYANMAR MILITARY’S ACCESS TO JET FUEL AND WEAPONS’

On 1 September, ahead of the ASEAN Summit, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect joined 148 other civil society organisations and called for prompt and coordinated actions by governments of ASEAN and ASEAN dialogue partners to put an end to the ongoing atrocities in Myanmar, including a stop to Myanmar military’s access to jet fuel and weapons.

AJC SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES

Asia Justice Coalition secretariat head Dr Priya Pillai participated in a two-day expert consultation co-hosted by GQUAL and the American University Washington College of Law on CEDAW's future General Recommendation 40 on women's equal and meaningful participation in decision-making systems. Dr Pillai also chaired and led a Working Group discussion on the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

‘MYANMAR: TÜRK CALLS FOR NEW THINKING TO END “UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY”’

On 26 September, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, presented his report ( April 2022 - 1 July 2023) and held an interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. According to him, ‘people in Myanmar have long suffered with insufficient attention being paid by the international community to their plight. That must change. This Council has now received eight reports from my Office on this horrific situation and updates at every session since the February 2021 coup. We have no reason to believe that the military will radically change and break the cycle of impunity that has characterized its operations for decades.’

IIMM: STATEMENT & PRESENTATION OF FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

On 11 September, Mr. Nicholas Koumjian presented the fifth Annual Report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar at the 54th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council. According to him, ‘We have begun a dedicated inquiry into financial information related to entities and individuals that have contributed to, or benefitted from, the serious international crimes committed in Myanmar. We are looking at weapon supply chains, and the dispossession of land, homes, and businesses, particularly during the clearance operations in Rakhine State.’

REUTERS: UN RIGHTS EXPERT URGES US TO GO FURTHER WITH SANCTIONS AGAINST MYANMAR JUNTA

On 13 September, Reuters reported that Tom Andrews, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Myanmar called on ‘the United States to further tighten sanctions on the country's military rulers to include their main revenue source, the state oil and gas enterprise’. He also said ‘it was vital for Washington to at least maintain levels of humanitarian support for victims of the junta inside and outside Myanmar.’

UN OCHA: OVER 1.6 MILLION INTERNALLY DISPLACED SINCE THE FEBRUARY 2021 COUP

On 8 September, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released its 32^nd Myanmar Humanitarian Update and observed that the number of displaced men, women, and children since the military coup is over 1.6 million. Further, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and Cyclone Mocha Flash Appeal remain severely underfunded at only 25 percent of the total requirement, undermining the provision of comprehensive assistance and adversely impacting vulnerable communities. 

ACLED: MID-YEAR CONFLICT INDEX

According to the mid-year conflict index by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, Myanmar has the most extreme conflict in the world.

AP NEWS: ‘A UNIFIED STRATEGY AND MORE FUNDING ARE URGENTLY NEEDED TO END THE CRISIS IN MYANMAR, UN CHIEF SAYS’

On 7 September, the Associated Press reported that the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for ‘a unified strategy to end the worsening crisis in Myanmar’. According to him, ‘the situation in Myanmar has further deteriorated since he met with ASEAN leaders in a 2022 summit, and again called on the crisis-wracked country’s military-installed government to immediately free all political prisoners and open the door to a return to democratic rule’.

REUTERS: ‘CONFLICT-RIVEN MYANMAR CEDES UPCOMING ASEAN CHAIR TO PHILIPPINES’

On 5 September, Reuters reported that the Philippines would assume the role of ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 instead of Myanmar. Further, the regional leaders also agreed to an informal "troika" approach to ASEAN's special envoy on Myanmar, which would see the chair supported by the former and future chairs for continuity.