THIRD WIJA BOARD MEETING IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

 

On 4-5 July, the Asia Justice Coalition secretariat hosted its Third Women in International Justice and Accountability (WIJA) Board Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. The two-day meeting focused on updates on programmatic activities in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and on discussions about the structure, scope, and vision of the WIJA project. The meeting provided great insights into the future direction of the project as well.

 

AJC SECRETARIAT MEETING

 

On 6 July, following the WIJA board meeting, the Asia Justice Coalition secretariat had their in-person meeting to share updates on the ongoing programs and activities, strategise and plan out the work for the coming months.

BEYOND THE UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION: OPPORTUNITIES FOR ATROCITY CRIME ACCOUNTABILITY IN ASIA

 

On 23-25 July, the Asia Justice Coalition secretariat hosted its fourth in a series of convenings on universal jurisdiction. This closed-door workshop brought together a diverse group of experts to focus on the opportunities for atrocity crime accountability in Asia. The discussion included a review of the existing mechanisms and study cases of universal jurisdiction in the spheres of international law, human rights law, corporate law, and constitutional law in Asia.

 

AI ASIA-PACIFIC WEBINAR ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY CONVENTION

 

On 24 July,  AJC's legal advocacy and communications manager, Aakash Chandran, briefed the members of Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific sections on the Draft Crimes Against Humanity Convention, along with Jan Wetzel and Melissa Hendrickse (International Law and International Justice Team, AI). 

HRW: ‘MYANMAR JUNTA EVADING INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS’

 

On 28 June, Human Rights Watch called on the United States, the European Union, and other governments to urgently counter illicit activities by foreign banks that are assisting the Myanmar military in evading sanctions imposed after its 2021 coup. According to HRW, ““[s]anctions on Myanmar’s military have reduced its capacity to receive revenue and purchase arms, but funds are still getting to the junta, and vigilant enforcement is essential. Authorities in Thailand, Singapore, and other countries need to put banks on notice that they should not provide services that facilitate further junta atrocities.”

 

GJC WELCOMES MOVEMENT IN THE ARGENTINA UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION CASE

 

On 1 July, AJC member Global Justice Center welcomed the Argentinian prosecutor's request for 25 international warrants for the crimes committed against the Rohingya and called for greater international support to end impunity in Myanmar.

 

FORTIFY: ICC MEMBER STATES TO COORDINATE TO PROTECT WITNESSES WITH EVIDENCE OF ATROCITIES, REFER MYANMAR TO CHIEF PROSECUTOR

 

On 11 July, Fortify Rights called on member states of the International Criminal Court to ensure appropriate protection for witnesses from Myanmar who have evidence that would contribute to accountability for ongoing potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Fortify Rights obtained ten secretly recorded videos showing Myanmar military junta soldiers severely torturing detainees at an interrogation facility in Mandalay Region, and the defector-whistleblower who filmed the incidents is in need of protection.

LAW SUBMISSION TO THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT ON SLAVERY CRIME

 

On 17 July, Legal Action Worldwide published its input on the International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor’s (OTP) Policy on Slavery Crimes. The submission outlines three critical areas for enhancing the OTP’s approach: first, advocating for a survivor-centered and trauma-informed approach; second, proposing amendments to the Rome Statute to explicitly address slave trade and leveraging existing legal frameworks for prosecuting such crimes; and third, promoting complementarity with domestic jurisdictions to strengthen global efforts against slavery crimes.

 

FORTIFY: ‘END ABDUCTION, FORCED CONSCRIPTION OF ROHINGYA CIVILIANS’

 

On 26 July, AJC member Fortify Rights called upon the Bangladesh authorities to protect Rohingya refugees from forced conscription in the camps, and the Myanmar military junta must end forced-conscription campaign against the Rohingya in Rakhine State and elsewhere in the country. A new investigation by Fortify Rights finds that Rohingya armed groups abducted Rohingya refugees from refugee camps in Bangladesh, and then the abductees were transported to Myanmar and forced to join the Myanmar junta’s military. According to Fortify, “the abduction of Rohingya, including refugees in Bangladesh and civilians in Myanmar, may also constitute human trafficking.” 

 

AI: “THE ROME STATUTE OF THE ICC AND A FUTURE CONVENTION ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY – COMPLEMENTARITY, NOT COMPETITION”

 

On 17 July, Amnesty International called upon states and all stakeholders to commit to progressing and ultimately adopting a Convention on Crimes Against Humanity.  According to AI, “the Rome Statute of the ICC and the planned Convention on Crimes against Humanity are not competing with or duplicating each other, but are mutually reinforcing.”

LAW VIDEO SERIES ON CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST THE ROHINGYA AND ONGOING INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MECHANISMS

 

On 17 July, AJC member Legal Action Worldwide published a five-video series in the Rohingya and English languages to demystify and understand the ongoing international justice accountability mechanisms concerning the Rohingya. These videos provide simplified information on the ongoing cases before different international courts (ICJ, ICC) and how the Rohingya can participate in these processes.

 

BHRN: “US CONGRESS: SUPPORT CRITICAL LEGISLATION FOR BURMA’S DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS” PRESS RELEASE

 

On 29 July, the Burma Human Rights Network called on the United States Congress to pass two critical bipartisan bills: the Rohingya Genocide Accountability and Protection Act and the BRAVE Burma Act. These measures are essential for holding Burma’s military accountable for its atrocity crimes and supporting the human rights of the people of Burma.

BROUK: WEBINAR ON MYANMAR ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS

 

On 25 July, AJC member Tun Khin (President, Burmese Rohingya Organization UK) participated in a webinar on the ongoing international accountability efforts to hold the Myanmar military to account for the crimes committed against the Rohingya and how Japan could support the justice movement.

 

ICJ LAUNCHES ITS BRIEFING PAPER ON THE GENDERED IMPACTS OF THE COUP IN MYANMAR

 

On 31 July, AJC member the International Commission of Jurists launched a new briefing paper, 'Unseen and Unheard: Violations of the Human Rights of Women Deprived of Liberty in Myanmar’ in Bangkok, Thailand. The briefing paper documents how the military authorities have subjected women deprived of liberty, including prisoners and detainees, to a multitude of egregious human rights violations, including certain acts of gender-based violence amounting to crimes under international law. On 3 July, ICJ also held a side event at the 56^th session of the Human Rights Council with UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews's new conference room paper, 'Gendered impacts of the coup and pursuit of gender equality in Myanmar'.

UNSC SESSION ON THE SITUATION IN MYANMAR

 

On 3 July, the United Nations Security Council held a meeting under “any other business” concerning the humanitarian and deteriorating situation in Myanmar, including the attacks against the World Food Programme, the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other international organisations. The situation in Rakhine State and that of the Rohingya were also highlighted.

 

ICJ ALLOWS INTERVENTION IN THE GAMBIA V. MYANMAR

 

On 3 July, the International Court of Justice held that the interventions filed by seven States (Mauritius, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, the UK, France, and Germany) in The Gambia v. Myanmar case are admissible 'in so far as they concern the construction of provisions of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide'. As per Rule 86 of the Court, the seven States are permitted to submit written submissions, but the decision to allow participation in oral proceedings will be decided later by the Court.

 

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ADOPTS A RESOLUTION ON MYANMAR

 

In a resolution adopted without a vote, the Human Rights Council strongly condemned all violations and abuses of human rights in Myanmar, particularly following the military coup in February 2021. It called upon Myanmar to immediately end all violence and violations of international law in the country, to ensure full protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons in Myanmar, including Rohingya Muslims and other minorities. It also called for international, independent, fair, and transparent investigations into allegations of sexual and gender-based violence and abuses against women and children and alleged war crimes. The report identifies 16 banks in seven countries that have processed transactions linked to the junta’s military procurement in the past two years and an additional 25 that have provided correspondent banking services to Myanmar’s state-owned banks that are controlled by the junta.

ICC HOLDS SIXTH ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF THE HAGUE

 

On 19 July, the International Criminal Court hosted the sixth Asia Pacific Forum of The Hague online. The webinar featured the President of the Court, ICC judges, the ICC Deputy Prosecutor and other ICC representatives and Counsels from the Asia-Pacific region to promote awareness of the Court in the Asia Pacific region. The event featured a High-Level Dialogue with the ICC Judges and Deputy Prosecutor on the theme “Justice Across Borders: The Role of the ICC in the Asia-Pacific”, a Panel Discussion on “Inside the Courtroom: Advancing International Justice Through Diverse Roles of Parties”, followed by an information session by the Court’s Human Resources on Career Opportunities “Working for International Justice”.

 

QUAD FOREIGN MINISTERS STATEMENT ON MYANMAR

 

On 26 July, Quad Foreign Ministers (Australia, India and Japan and the United States of America) released a joint statement and expressed deep concerns about the worsening political, security, and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, including in Rakhine. The Quad called for the immediate cessation of violence; the release of all those unjustly detained; safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance; resolution of the crisis through constructive and inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders; and a return to the path of inclusive democracy. It also called on all parties to fully implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and expressed concerns about the impact that the situation in Myanmar has on neighbouring countries that are witnessing increases in transnational crime.

 

SA HIGH COURT REQUIRES STATE TO SUSPEND ARMS EXPORTS TO MYANMAR

 

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre, represented by Lawyers for Human Rights, was granted an order by the Gauteng Division of the High Court Pretoria setting aside permits that were granted by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) to facilitate arms transfers to Myanmar. SALC and LHR, as well as Justice for Myanmar, welcome the High Court’s order, as it will have immediate consequences not only for any future arms exports from South Africa to Myanmar, but to many other countries too.