ASIA JUSTICE COALITION SECRETARIAT CONVENES IN BANGKOK

From 22-25 January, the Asia Justice Coalition secretariat held their annual in-person meeting in Bangkok, Thailand to reflect on strategies and challenges for the year ahead, with guidance from Ratan Postwalla of PeopleTrust.

ASSOCIATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP AT THE INSTITUTE OF COMMONWEALTH STUDIES

In January 2024, secretariat Head Dr. Priya Pillai joined the Institute of Commonwealth Studies as an Associate Research Fellow.

GENDER AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW CONFERENCE

From 16 – 17 January, the Asia Justice Coalition was invited to speak on a panel at the two-day conference on Gender and International Criminal Law co-organised by UN Women, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) and others. AJC’s Project Manager Sangeetha Yogendran spoke about the continued challenges women leaders face in the international justice and accountability space, the need to continue working to empower women leaders and the importance of facilitating such access for women leaders and survivors of international harm so that they can exercise their power, agency and leadership.

HRW: “BANGLADESH - REPRESSION, SECURITY FORCE ABUSES DISCREDIT ELECTIONS”

On 11 January, Human Rights Watch called on the international partners to urgently step up funding, and the Bangladesh government to commit to providing access to work and education for all refugees inside its borders. According to HRW, “Authorities not only failed to ensure protection amid rising violence by armed groups, but also intensified restrictions on livelihoods, movement, and education that appear designed to induce refugees into considering returning to Myanmar.”

HRW: “MYANMAR FILMMAKER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON”

On 12 January, Human Rights Watch called on the Myanmar military to release all wrongfully convicted journalists and allow free media to thrive. In a closed proceeding, the Myanmar military court sentenced documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe to life in prison under the draconian Counterterrorism law of 2014. which has often been used as a tool of oppression by the military government.

CPJ CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY

AJC Member Centre for Peace and Justice at BRAC University celebrated its tenth anniversary. In their statement, they reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a more just, peaceful, and inclusive society by promoting institutional partnership, policy reform and, ultimately, social empowerment.

GJC: ELISE KEPPLER IS APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

On 23 January, Coalition member Global Justice Centre announced that Elise Keppler has been named the Executive Director of the organization. She is an internationally recognized international justice expert and advocate who joins the Global Justice Center after two decades with Human Rights Watch.

FORTIFY RIGHTS: “THAILAND TO ENSURE ALL REFUGEES HAVE ACCESS TO SCREENING MECHANISM, APPEALS PROCESS”

On 18 January, AJC Member Fortify Rights called on Thai authorities to ensure all refugees have access to a screening mechanism and an appropriate appeals process. A cabinet resolution suggests that government agencies refused a proposal to bring the National Screening Mechanism in line with international human rights standards. According to Fortify, “Rather than settling for a sub-standard and potentially abusive system, Thailand should aim to meet international law and standards with the NSM”.

HRW: “INDONESIA TO PROTECT NEWLY ARRIVED ROHINGYA REFUGEES”

On 16 January, Human Rights Watch called on Indonesian authorities to stop all pushbacks of boats, and end and investigate all assaults against Rohingya refugees. According to HRW, “The Indonesian government should ensure that Rohingya boat refugees are immediately brought ashore and protected, not pushed back to die at sea, or be attacked by anti-Rohingya mobs. The government should investigate and hold accountable whoever has been mobilizing an online campaign inciting violence against Rohingya arrivals.”

AI: “TOWARDS A CONVENTION ON PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY”

On 30-31 January, ahead of the second Resumed Session of the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee in April 2024, Amnesty International held a two-day webinar on the Draft Crimes against Humanity Convention, convening representatives from governments, academia and civil society from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. The webinar witnessed participation from various Coalition members, including Paloma van Groll (Global Justice Center), Hugo Relva (Amnesty International), Ian Seiderman (International Commission of Jurists), and Richard Dicker (Human Rights Watch). Secretariat Head Dr. Priya Pillai moderated the third session on Articles 6-10, entitled “National Measures: Criminalization; Jurisdiction; aut dedere aut judicare”.

ICC OTP LAUNCHES PUBLIC PRINCIPLES TO ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CRIME OF GENDER PERSECUTION

On 17 January, the Office of the Prosecutor announced a new initiative to advance accountability for the crime against humanity of gender persecution. The initiative builds on the 2022 policy paper on gender persecution and will build principles based on international criminal and human rights law. In the first round of external consultations, the Office welcomes comments on the initiative early in the drafting process. The deadline for submissions is 22 November 2024.

THE GUARDIAN – “THE ONLINE HATE CAMPAIGN TURNING INDONESIANS AGAINST ROHINGYA REFUGEES”

The Guardian documented the recent rise in online hate speech and misinformation against Rohingya refugees, citing several social media posts portraying the Rohingya as ungrateful, a drain on resources, and a danger to local people. Ann Mayman, UNHCR’s Indonesia representative, described the content as “professionally made”, with bots proliferating messages across multiple platforms.

“MYANMAR: HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION WORSENS AS MILITARY LASHES OUT INDISCRIMINATELY AMID LOSSES”

On 30 January, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on the international community to redouble efforts to hold the military accountable. According to Turk, “three years after the military launched a coup, Myanmar’s ever deteriorating human rights crisis is now in freefall, with insufficient world attention paid to the misery and pain of its people”. He recalled the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice for Myanmar to take "all measures within its power" to protect the members of the Rohingya group from all future acts that may amount to genocide, and to take effective measures to ensure the preservation of evidence related to the alleged acts.

UNHCR – “URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO ADDRESS DRAMATIC RISE IN ROHINGYA DEATHS AT SEA”

On 23 January, the UNHCR raised the alarm, following statistics revealing a surge in the number of Rohingya refugees reportedly dying or going missing at sea during 2023. The number reported missing or dead – 569 Rohingya refugees – is the highest since 2014. Nearly 4500 refugees embarked on deadly journeys in 2023. The UNHCR called on regional coastal authorities to take urgent action, reminding them of their longstanding humanitarian imperatives and legal obligations under international maritime law.