AJC STATEMENT ON THE SEVENTH ROHINGYA REMEMBRANCE DAY

 

On 22 August, the Asia Justice Coalition issued a statement demanding immediate international action and accountability in Rakhine State. The Coalition expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in the region, warning that the current situation bears alarming similarities to the atrocities committed against the Rohingya in 2017. AJC called on the international community to take urgent steps to prevent further violence and ensure that those responsible for past and ongoing human rights violations are held accountable.

 

'CIVIL SOCIETY AND INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY: MAPPING THE TERRAIN’

 

On 30 July, AJC’s Director, Dr. Priya Pillai, along with co-authors Danya Chakiel and Pubudu Sachithanandan, published an article entitled ‘Civil Society and International Accountability: Mapping the Terrain’. The article looks at the role of civil society in pursuing accountability for atrocity crimes through international law. The article also provides a framework to understand the modalities of CSO engagement with international legal processes, as well as critical challenges.

 

VACANCY AT THE ASIA JUSTICE COALITION SECRETARIAT

 

The Asia Justice Coalition is hiring a Senior Project Manager (Maternity Cover) for our Women Leaders in International Justice and Accountability (WIJA) Project. Please submit your application (CV + cover letter) by 13 September 2024. Candidates from Asia, especially women, are strongly encouraged to apply.

ASIA JUSTICE COALITION URGES SUPPORT FOR UNGA RESOLUTION ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY TREATY NEGOTIATIONS

 

On 1 August, the AJC Secretariat wrote a letter to Asian states urging them to support a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution establishing treaty negotiations for a global convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity (CAH). The Coalition secretariat called on Asian governments to actively participate in the upcoming UNGA Sixth Committee session scheduled for 10 October and support the call for formal treaty negotiations based on the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on CAH.

 

AJC PUBLISHED A PRIMER ON INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

 

On 12 August, the Coalition secretariat published a primer on international humanitarian law (IHL). This primer serves as a brief but concise explainer: 1) what is meant by IHL and when is it applicable; 2) the difference between international humanitarian law and international human rights law; and 3) accountability for IHL violations - state and individual responsibility. Check our primers here.

 

 

OHCHR MEETING ON STRATEGIC LITIGATION FOR THE RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS IN ASIA-PACIFIC

 

On 21-22 August, Senior Law and Policy Advisor Jen Keene-McCann participated in the OHCHR-convened Meeting on Strategic Litigation for the Rights of Migrants & People on the Move in Asia Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was co-convened with OHCHR by the Asia-Pacific Refugee Rights Network and the Global Strategic Litigation Council, bringing together more than 60 practitioners across the region, including AJC members from LAW, ICJ, and Fortify Rights.

FORTIFY RIGHTS REPORT CALLS FOR ICC INVESTIGATION INTO ARAKAN ARMY'S MASSACRE OF ROHINGYA CIVILIANS

 

On 27 August, Fortify Rights published an investigation report about the mass killing of Rohingya civilians by the Arakan Army (AA) in Maungdaw Township on 5 – 6 August. It calls on the International Criminal Court to investigate these attacks as part of its ongoing jurisdiction over crimes against the Rohingya. The report highlighted that the AA used drones, mortars, and artillery to target fleeing Rohingya, resulting in over 100 deaths, including women and children. Fortify Rights emphasises that these attacks reflect the same impunity that led to the Rohingya genocide and urges accountability for AA commanders.

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BHRN: ‘A GLOBAL FAILURE TO ACT’

 

On 25 August, AJC member the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) published a press release for the seventh anniversary of the Rohingya genocide. BHRN highlights the Myanmar military's unchallenged impunity and the worsening conditions for the Rohingya, both within Myanmar and in refugee camps in Bangladesh. The release calls for immediate and decisive global action by the UN Security Council, including enforcing the ICJ provisional measures, holding the Myanmar military accountable through a full referral of the situation to the ICC, and imposing targeted sanctions.

 

BROUK: ‘7TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROHINGYA GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY’

 

On 25 August, BROUK issued a press release to mark the 7th anniversary of the Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day. The statement expressed dismay with the inadequate global response to the Rohingya crisis, which has facilitated entrenched impunity for the Myanmar military, and called for ‘decisive, coordinated international action.’ BROUK also emphasized the ongoing legal efforts, such as a petition filed in Argentina under universal jurisdiction, as crucial steps toward achieving justice for the Rohingya.

 

HRW: ‘NEW ATROCITIES AGAINST ROHINGYA’

 

On 22 August, Human Rights Watch released a statement calling on the UN Security Council members to support holding an open meeting to address the deteriorating situation in Rakhine State and build momentum for a follow-up resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter (December 2022). According to HRW, "the council should also play a role in enforcing the binding provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice in the The Gambia v. Myanmar genocide case, which the military has blatantly disregarded. 

 

LAW: ‘ROHINGYA SURVIVORS’ FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY CONTINUES’

 

On 25 August, the Legal Action Worldwide shared a brief summary reflecting the past one-year results of the tireless work to advance accountability, and updates on the legal developments in relation to accountability for the Rohingya crisis, here. The Rohingya Survivor Advocates, Shanti Mohila, and LAW are deeply concerned over the direct or indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects in Rakhine State in the face of binding provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice for the protection of Rohingya. 

AI: ‘NEW ATTACKS AGAINST ROHINGYA- A DISTURBING ECHO OF 2017 MASS VIOLENCE’

 

On 21 August, AJC member Amnesty International published a statement calling on the Myanmar military to immediately end their renewed campaign of violence and refrain from unlawful attacks on civilians, who are bearing the brunt of the conflict not only in Rakhine State but across the country, with millions displaced. AI further called on the international community to apply more pressure on the Arakan Army to abide by international humanitarian law. All allegations of war crimes perpetrated by the Myanmar military or by any armed groups in the country should be effectively investigated.

 

GCR2P ATROCITY ALERT ON MYANMAR

 

On 21 August, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect published an atrocity alert highlighting the continued suffering of the Rohingya, who are now caught in escalating violence between the military and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State. According to Savita Pawnday (Executive Director, GCR2P), “On this somber commemoration, the international community must commit to action, including by pursuing justice for both past and ongoing atrocities in Myanmar and cutting off access to the jet fuel, weapons, and funds the junta needs to continue to commit atrocities.”

 

BROUK: ‘URGENT INTERNATIONAL ACTION NEEDED TO ADDRESS ESCALATING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN RAKHINE STATE’

 

On 20 August, AJC member Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) published a statement calling for immediate international intervention in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State. According to Tun Khin (President, BROUK), “the Rohingya in Rakhine State are in imminent danger, and the international community cannot afford to turn a blind eye. These are not isolated incidents—they are part of a systematic campaign of violence and terror that must be stopped. We need immediate international action to protect civilians and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.”

 

GJC ARTICLE ON THE GENDERED IMPACTS OF MYANMAR’S COUP

 

On 13 August, Michelle Onello (Senior Legal Advisor, Global Justice Center) published an article in The Diplomat entitled ‘The Devastating Gendered Impacts of Myanmar’s Coup’. The article looked at the severe gendered impacts of Myanmar's 2021 military coup on women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. It highlights how the coup has exacerbated violence, sexual and gender-based violence, economic instability, and healthcare collapse, disproportionately affecting these vulnerable groups.

 

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BHRN: ‘ROHINGYA IN MAUNGDAW STILL NEED PROTECTION’

 

On 5 August, the Burma Human Rights Network urged the international community to protect the Rohingya in Maungdaw Township amid escalating violence between the Arakan Army and the Burmese junta. According to Kyaw Win (BHRN Executive Director), “we are asking them to take action to protect the Rohingya under fire in Maungdaw, those suffering without aid from Buthidaung, and to make preparations to help the Rohingya and other civilians who will soon live under intense fighting in Sittwe, where the Junta will desperately try to hold the state capital.”

UNSG CALLS ON ALL PARTIES TO CONFLICT TO END VIOLENCE IN MYANMAR

 

On 25 August, marking seven years since the mass displacement of Rohingya from Rakhine State, the UN Secretary-General has called for an end to violence in Myanmar. The UN Secretary-General urged all parties to cease violence, protect civilians, provide access to conflict-affected communities, and support regional efforts for peace and the safe return of displaced Rohingya.

 

IIMM: ‘SEVEN YEARS SINCE THE CLEARANCE OPERATIONS AGAINST THE ROHINGYA: THE CYCLE OF IMPUNITY MUST BE BROKEN’

 

On 22 August, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) released a statement to mark the seventh anniversary of the Rohingya Remembrance Day. According to Mr. Koumjian, “[IIMM has] accelerated the amount of evidence and analysis we are sharing with the authorities involved in the cases concerning the Rohingya at the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and in Argentina. To date, we have shared 80 packages containing more than one million items of supporting information and analysis.”

 

HUMANITARIAN UPDATE OF MYANMAR

 

On 16 August, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs published a humanitarian update, covering developments up to August 15, 2024. It highlights the ongoing conflict across Myanmar, particularly in northern Shan, Mandalay Region, and Rakhine State, which has led to new displacements and escalating humanitarian needs. According to the report, over 3 million people are internally displaced, and 18.6 million are in need of humanitarian aid.

 

IIMM REPORT ON ESCALATION OF WAR CRIMES IN MYANMAR

 

On 13 August, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) released a report detailing the escalation of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Myanmar military from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. According to Mr. Koumjian, “[i]t's time for ASEAN to put some bite into its [five-point] consensus. It's not enough simply to say we support ending the violence, there have to be steps taken to ensure that, in fact, the violence has ended.”

 

‘SEVEN YEARS AFTER GENOCIDAL ATTACKS, WORLD MUST ACT TO STOP NEW ATROCITIES AGAINST THE ROHINGYA’

 

On 22 August, marking the seventh anniversary of attacks by the military junta that forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, has called for an emergency convening of UN Member States to halt a new round of atrocities underway in Rakhine State. According to Mr. Andrews, “world leaders have issued statements every year on the anniversary of the beginning of the 2017 genocidal attacks, condemning the violence and expressing sympathy for its victims. These statements, no matter how well intentioned, are grossly inadequate.”

 

UNICEF: ‘DISTRESSING REPORTS OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AS CONFLICT ESCALATES IN RAKHINE STATE, MYANMAR’

 

On 13 August, UNICEF alerted against the increasing reports of the severe impact on civilians of the ongoing escalation of conflict in northern Rakhine, Myanmar. UNICEF calls on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law to protect civilians, particularly children, and ensure their safety and well-being.