AJC INFOGRAPHIC ON THE POSITION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN STATES ON THE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY CONVENTION

 

On 12 September, the Asia Justice Coalition Secretariat, in collaboration with ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), published an infographic on Southeast Asian States and the draft Crimes Against Humanity Convention. The infographic mapped the Southeast Asian states' position on the draft articles on crimes against humanity and urged them to support the movement at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee.

 

ROUNDTABLE CONSULTATION ON “ETHNIC MINORITY AND REFUGEE RIGHTS IN BANGLADESH”

 

On 17 September, Asia Justice Coalition partner, Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University, held a multi-stakeholder roundtable consultation on 'Ethnic Minority and Refugee Rights’ in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The activity is a part of the Women Leaders in International Justice and Accountability (WIJA) Project, where participants discussed contemporary rights-based issues of ethnic minorities and refugees, the challenges faced by practitioners, the role of domestic and international laws, the gendered aspects of legal practice, and the support needed to enhance inclusivity and access to justice.

 

ACADEMIC WORKSHOP: “INCREASING AVENUES FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN ASIA”

 

From 23-24 September, the Asia Justice Coalition, in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, Universitas Andalas, held an academic workshop titled “Increasing Avenues for International Justice and Accountability in Asia,” led by Jennifer Keene-McCann (Senior Legal and Policy Advisor, AJC). The workshop witnessed participation from over 32 academicians and researchers hailing from 12 jurisdictions. The discussions ranged from universal jurisdiction, ecocide, corporate criminal liability, climate change, transitional justice, sanctions, and many more. Prof. Cheah W.L. and Mr. Marzuki Darusman delivered the keynote and welcome address, respectively.

 

RELEASE OF WOMEN LEADERS IN INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT BANGLADESH VIDEO

 

On 23 September, the Asia Justice Coalition Secretariat and Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University, released a video from the Systems Mapping Workshop that was held for emerging women legal practitioners in Dhaka in November 2023. The workshop is part of the Women Leaders in International Justice & Accountability (WIJA) Project. The video contains participants insights about women leaders and justice and accountability in Bangladesh.

 

‘WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP NETWORK FOR THE HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT SECTORS’

 

On 24 September, the Asia Justice Coalition’s Senior Project Manager, Sangeetha Yogendran, participated in the “Women in Leadership Network for the Humanitarian and Development Sectors” seminar organised by the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Coach Mentoring Ltd. Sangeetha shared about working in the human rights space and about AJC’s work on the women's leadership in international justice and accountability (WIJA) project.

 

AJC DIRECTOR DR. PRIYA PILLAI DELIVERED A LECTURE AT THE YALE INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP CENTER

 

In September, Dr Priya Pillai, a 2024 Yale World Fellow, spoke to Grand Strategy students at the Yale International Leadership Center about the state of international law and her experiences of working on Myanmar, the former Yugoslavia, and Ukraine, and the institutions and instruments - and "lattice of networks” - that help maintain order. Dr. Pillai also participated in a discussion on women’s leadership hosted by Co-Impact and in a discussion organized by AJC member Legal Action Worldwide on reparations and the establishment of a trust fund for Myanmar on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

‘ICJ’S STRONG CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CRIMES AND GRAVE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN MYANMAR – HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 57TH SESSION’

 

On 9 September, AJC member, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), delivered an oral statement during the presentation of the IIMM’s Annual Report.  ICJ commends the UN investigative mechanism's progress in collecting evidence on crimes, including sexual and gender-based violence, and highlights the lack of accountability under international law for post-coup abuses by the military. ICJ urges UN Member States to hold perpetrators accountable by exercising universal jurisdiction and calls for better access to border regions of Myanmar and to work with the refugee communities.

 

FORTIFY RIGHTS: ‘ROHINGYA SURVIVORS RECOUNT ARAKAN ARMY MASSACRE’

 

On 11 September, Fortify Rights released a video documenting testimonies of survivors of the Arakan Army’s deadly attacks against Rohingya civilians in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Fortify Rights calls upon the International Criminal Court to investigate the crimes committed by the Arakan Army.

 

BROUK CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE INTERNATIONAL ACTION FOR RECENT AIRSTRIKES BY THE BURMESE MILITARY IN RAKHINE STATE

 

On 12 September, AJC member Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK condemned the airstrike carried out by the Burmese military in Rakhine State, which has killed at least 70 people, including civilians, prisoners, and junta troops held in captivity. According to Tun Khin (President, BROUK), “[T]hese brutal attacks are an attempt to terrorise communities in Rakhine State, including Rohingya civilians. The international community must act now to prevent further atrocities and hold the junta accountable.”

 

FORTIFY RIGHTS: “MY TEARS COULD MAKE A SEA” EXHIBITION AT THE ASEAN PEOPLES’ FORUM

 

From 19-24 September, AJC Member Fortify Rights held an exhibition titled “My Tears Could Make a Sea” at the ASEAN Peoples’ Forum 2024. The exhibition is based on a report looking at how inflicting mental harm can destroy a group of people in whole or in part. More specifically, by applying the law of genocide to this account of mental harm.

 

AJAR PARTICIPATION AT THE ASEAN PEOPLES’ FORUM

 

From 19-20 September, Asia Justice and Rights attended the ASEAN Peoples’ Forum and held a photo exhibition titled “StillWeRise: Women of Myanmar,” featuring photos of Burmese women's resilience during times of immense struggle. On 20 September, AJAR also hosted a panel discussion on ‘Balancing Sovereignty and Responsibility: Rethinking ASEAN Non-Interference Principle in the Face of Humanitarian Crises and Human Rights Challenges’.

LAW: ROUNDTABLE ON ‘A TRUST FUND FOR VICTIMS OF ATROCITY CRIMES IN MYANMAR’

 

On 25 September, Legal Action WorldWide held a roundtable to initiate a dialogue on a victims trust fund in Myanmar. The roundtable, which was held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UNGA, discussed the opportune role of the UNGA in steering the current accountability discourse away from punitive justice towards a wider transformative justice for Myanmar.

 

HRW: “NEW ROHINGYA REFUGEES LACK PROTECTION, AID”

 

On 25 September, Human Rights Watch called upon the Bangladeshi authorities to allow Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar to obtain protection and humanitarian assistance. According to HRW, “[a]n estimated 18,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh in recent months to escape abuses amid the surging fighting between Myanmar’s military junta and the ethnic Arakan Army…Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) forces have pushed back thousands of Rohingya since early August 2024.” The HRW further calls on Bangladeshi authorities to urgently collaborate with the UNHCR to register new Rohingya refugees so they can safely access medical care, food rations, and protection services.

 

BROUK PRESIDENT STATEMENT ON THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE AT THE 57TH SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

 

On 27 September, BROUK (Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK) President Tun Khin delivered a statement on behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) during the Interactive Dialogue at the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, urging immediate international action to address the escalating violence against Rohingya in Rakhine State.

 

GJC: NEW REPORT ON DOCUMENTING REPRODUCTIVE VIOLENCE

 

On 30 September, AJC member, the Global Justice Center, held a side-event during the 57^th session of the UN Human Rights Council titled ‘Documenting Reproductive Violence: Challenges & Opportunities for UN Investigative Mechanisms’. The event convened a panel of experts to explore the challenges and opportunities facing UN investigative mechanisms in addressing reproductive violence. The full report is available here.

SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE MECHANISM FOR MYANMAR

 

On 9 September, Mr. Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), updated the Human Rights Council on the escalation of intensity of warfare across Myanmar. According to Koumjian, “the members of this Council and concerned States have for years called for an end to the violence and horrific crimes in Myanmar. Clearly, words are not enough. All States, but especially those in the region, must support our efforts to collect evidence of the very worst violence being committed in Myanmar and help us to end this downward cycle of impunity.”

 

NEW REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE SITUATION IN MYANMAR

 

On 17 September, at the 57^th session of the Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights published its latest report on the human rights situation in Myanmar. Since the coup on 1 February 2021, at least 5,350 civilians have been killed, more than 3.3 million displaced, and over half the population is living below the poverty line, primarily due to military violence. The High Commissioner renewed his recommendation, among others, to the UN Security Council to refer the full scope of the current situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court. He reiterated his calls for an end to the violence and for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained.

APHR CALLS ON SOUTHEAST ASIAN GOVERNMENTS TO SUPPORT A GLOBAL CONVENTION ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

 

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) released a statement calling on parliamentarians to support this global effort to codify state obligations to prevent and punish these horrific crimes. APHR emphasizes the importance of convening a diplomatic conference to negotiate the global CAH convention. Any disagreements or concerns raised by states can and should be addressed through this negotiation process.

 

ONLINE CAMPAIGN TO URGE UN MEMBER STATES TO SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT ON CAH CONVENTION

 

The Avaaz has initiated a global call to action, urging UN Member States to support, negotiate, sign, and ratify a legally binding Crimes Against Humanity Convention. According to Avaaz, “[ the CAH] treaty would bring us one step closer to acknowledging, preventing, and punishing atrocities against people in the most vulnerable situations – including women and girls, children, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, and many others”.

 

UN SECRETARY GENERAL SPECIAL ADVISOR ON THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION OF THE ROHINGYA

 

Mô Bleeker, the UN Secretary-General Special Advisor on the Responsibility to Protect, delivered a statement at a Women's Peace Network online event marking the seven-year anniversary of the forced displacement of Rohingya and others from Rakhine State in Myanmar. Read the full statement here.