‘THE NEED FOR CREATIVE LEGAL APPROACHES FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ATROCITY CRIMES IN ASIA' PANEL

 

On 3 October, the Asia Justice Coalition, in collaboration with Watson Farley & Williams, held a panel discussion in Bangkok, Thailand. The panel titled ‘The Need for Creative Legal Approaches to Accountability for Atrocity Crimes in Asia' discussed the various tools of accountability available and applied in the context of atrocity crimes in Asia. AJC members Zar Li Aye (ICJ) and Patrick Phongsathorn (Fortify) were on the panel along with Jennifer Keene-McCann (AJC) and Aaron Murphy (WFW).

 

AJC DIRECTOR PODCAST ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY TREATY

 

On 4 October, AJC Director, Dr. Priya Pillai, was featured on the asymmetrical haircuts international law podcast along with Prof. Leila Sadat for an episode entitled “The Road to a New Crimes Against Humanity (CAH) Treaty." In the podcast, Dr. Pillai talked about the importance of a multilateral CAH treaty, including state responsibility and obligation to prevent, the process at the UNGA Sixth Committee and the position of Asian States, and the crucial role of civil society.

 

LECTURE ON UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION AND ASIA

 

On 9 October, Aakash Chandran (Legal Advocacy and Communications Manager, AJC) delivered a lecture on ‘Universal Jurisdiction: A Key Tool in Enforcing International Justice' at the Centre for the Study of United Nations, Jindal Global Law School, India. Building on AJC’s universal jurisdiction convenings and the Asian jurisdictional briefs, the lecture highlighted the potential and relevance of universal jurisdiction in international law, particularly in Asia. 

 

‘GENDER PARITY ON THE ICJ BENCH’ PRE-ILW WEBINAR

 

On 14 October, AJC Director, Dr. Priya Pillai, participated in a panel on ‘Gender Parity at the International Court of Justice’ organized by the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA). Dr. Pillai called for a deeper examination of the root causes that exacerbate barriers to leadership positions in the law, which are compounded in international law, to make it more democratic, diverse, and accessible to women. Watch the full discussion here.

 

AJC INFOGRAPHIC ON ASIAN STATES’ POSITION ON CAH DRAFT ARTICLES

 

On 15 October, AJC published an infographic documenting the position of Asian States on the ILC Draft Articles on Crimes Against Humanity Convention based on the discussions at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee (9-10 & 14 October).

 

PANEL DISCUSSION ON UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION

 

On 29 October, AJC Director, Dr. Pillai, spoke on a panel titled 'Pursuing Justice for Mass Atrocities via Universal Jurisdiction' focusing on the situation in Myanmar and the varied ongoing accountability efforts at Yale University. On 23 October, Dr. Pillai also delivered a talk on ‘South Asia and International Law’ as a Yale World Fellow.

DIPLOMATIC BRIEFING ON THE DRAFT ARTICLES ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

 

On 3 October, the Asia Justice Coalition, along with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Amnesty International, and the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, in partnership with the Embassy of Mexico in Thailand (Bangkok), organised a briefing on the International Law Commission's Draft Articles on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. The briefing provided an overview of the content of the Draft Articles as well as the ongoing discussions within the UNGA Sixth Committee to the representatives of the UN Member States.

 

AJC PUBLISHED A PRIMER ON SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL HARMS AS INTERNATIONAL CRIMES

 

On 17 October, the Coalition secretariat published a primer on serious environmental harms as international crimes. This primer serves as a brief but concise explainer: 1) the significance and relevance of this issue for Asia; 2) the existing framework of international criminal law for regulating environmental harms, including historical prosecutions; 3) the concept and proposed crime of ecocide; and 4) whether climate change could be considered through the lens of international criminal law. Check our primers here.

 

‘RE-CENTERING HUMANITY: INTERSECTIONAL STRATEGIES STRENGTHENING MULTILATERALISM AND INTERNATIONAL LAW’

 

On 24 October, the Asia Justice Coalition, Amnesty International, the International Commission of Jurists, Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice, and the Global Survivors Fund hosted a discussion titled "(Re-)Centering Humanity: Intersectional Strategies Strengthening Multilateralism and International Law" at the Church Center, New York. The event focused on exploring intersectional approaches to reinforce multilateral efforts and uphold international law. Dr. Pillai spoke about the AJC’s Women Leaders in International Justice and Accountability (WIJA) project and the work on the Crimes Against Humanity Convention.

 

EXPERT DIALOGUE ROUNDTABLE ON GENDER PARITY AT THE ICJ

 

On 25 October, Dr. Priya Pillai participated in an Expert Dialogue Roundtable on "More Women, But Not Enough Women: Achieving Gender Parity for Judges at the International Court of Justice." The event, which was co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Sweden and Liechtenstein to the United Nations and the International Bar Association, addressed the challenges and importance of achieving gender parity on the ICJ bench.

 

ROUNDTABLE ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY DRAFT ARTICLES

 

On 25 October, Dr. Priya Pillai participated in an ABILA’s panel on Crimes Against Humanity. The panel took note of the ongoing deliberations at the UNGA Sixth Committee, explored proposals to incorporate slavery crimes, gender apartheid, and forced marriage within the definition of crime, and called for cross-regional support for the treaty going forward.

 

 

ICJ REPORT ON "TOWARDS GENDER-INCLUSIVE JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SERIOUS CRIMES UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMITTED IN MYANMAR"

 

On 30 September, the International Commission of Jurists released a report titled "Towards Gender-Inclusive Justice and Accountability for Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in Myanmar.  The report highlights opportunities for international accountability actors to ensure gender-inclusive justice for atrocity crimes and makes specific recommendations to strengthen gender justice. Dr. Priya Pillai was one of the external reviewers of the report.

 

AJAR URGE ENHANCED SUPPORT AND PROTECTION FOR ROHINGYA REFUGEES

 

On 1 October, Asia Justice and Rights and Social Action for Voluntary Efforts, called for increased support and protection for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, including access to education and justice, improved safety in camps, and increased protection for women and girls. The statement welcomed the interim government’s commitment to support safe, dignified repatriation of the Rohingya.

 

LAW FEATURED BY AL-JAZEERA ON THE VIOLENCE AGAINST ROHINGYA

 

On 15 October, Aljazeera highlighted the extreme violence Rohingya are enduring every day, being targeted during the conflict between the Arakan army and the Myanmar army. In the program, Ishita Kumar (Advisor, Legal Action Worldwide) provided an overview of the situation in the light of the forced displacement of over 15000 Rohingya into Bangladesh from Myanmar and discussed the challenges of providing legal support and security in such a crisis.

 

BROUK CONDEMNS ARAKAN ARMY’S CONTINUED ATTACKS ON ROHINGYA IN RAKHINE STATE

 

On 17 October, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK condemned the continued targeting and abuse of Rohingya communities in Rakhine State by the Arakan Army. According to Tun Khin (President, BROUK), “The Arakan Army is using its power to terrorise and displace the Rohingya, and without immediate action, these atrocities will continue unabated. The Arakan Army leadership must be told that the atrocities must stop, or they will face consequences, including sanctions.”

HRW: ‘ROHINGYA FOUND DEAD DURING ESCAPE FROM MYANMAR’

 

On 18 October, AJC member Human Rights called upon the Thai government to conduct effective investigations into how a group of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar were found dead and injured on Thai soil on October 17, 2024. HRW urged the Thai authorities to urgently provide protection to survivors, prosecute those responsible for abuses, and allow UNHCR to screen and release asylum seekers and migrants from detention.

 

AI: ‘ROHINGYA COMMUNITY FACING GRAVEST THREATS SINCE 2017’

 

On 24 October, Amnesty International urged Bangladesh to provide urgent food, shelter, and medical aid to newly arrived Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar. According to Amnesty, in addition to the indiscriminate air strikes by the military junta, the ‘Arakan Army unlawfully killed Rohingya civilians, drove them from their homes, and left them vulnerable to attacks’.

 

FORTIFY RIGHTS: U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL IMPOSE AN AVIATION FUEL AND ARMS EMBARGO ON MYANMAR JUNTA

 

On 24 October, ahead of the UK’s presidency of the UN Security Council, Fortify Rights called upon the Security Council to immediately impose an embargo on the supply of aviation fuel and weapons to the Myanmar military junta to prevent further indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Myanmar's human rights abuses since the 2021 coup failed to generate action from UN Member States.

 

BHRN: “ABDUCTED ROHINGYA AMONG THOSE STRANDED ON TRAFFICKING BOAT”

 

On 25 October, AJC member Burma Human Rights Network reported that a boat carrying over 100 Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh was stranded off the coast of Indonesia, and those on board had been in desperate need of food and water. BHRN urged the Indonesian government and civil society organisations to ‘urgently provide aid, care, and trauma counseling where appropriate for those on the ship. Efforts must be made to identify those who have been kidnapped and trafficked against their will, and they must be returned home to their families.’

UNSG ENVOY ON MYANMAR ADDRESSES THE THIRD COMMITTEE

 

On 29 October, the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy on Myanmar, Ms. Julie Bishop, gave an overview of her ‘impartial’ efforts to build trust among stakeholders, including meetings with the military junta’s chief and representatives from political groups and other organizations, aimed at fostering “a homegrown, inclusive, and sustainable peace.” According to her, Myanmar actors must move beyond the current “zero-sum mentality,” stating that there can be little progress in addressing the needs of the people while armed conflict continues across the country.

 

THE IIMM ADDRESSES THE MEMBER STATES AT THE UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE

 

On 29 October, the Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, Mr. Nicholas Koumjian, updated the UN General Assembly Third Committee on the progress of the work of the Mechanism. According to the IIMM, ”the frequency and brutality of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Myanmar have only increased." Further, in addition to the ongoing investigation in Rakhine State, the IIMM has also “opened new investigations in Magway and Sagaing regions and Kachin and Shan States”.

UNSC ANNUAL OPEN DEBATE ON WOMEN, PEACE & SECURITY

 

On 24 October, the UN Security Council held its annual debate on women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda. Wai Wai Nu, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Peace Network, highlighted the situation in Myanmar. According to her, the ““Myanmar military’s nationwide campaign of terror” and the women across the country who are risking their lives as front-line and human rights defenders.” She urged the Council to hold an emergency open briefing to prevent further mass atrocities, especially in Rakhine State, and to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court. 

 

THE CEDAW COMMITTEE ADOPTS GENERAL RECOMMENDATION 40

 

In a landmark decision, the CEDAW Committee has adopted General Recommendation 40, which facilitates and calls on States to work towards and ensure gender parity across all levels of decision-making. Read Asia Justice Coalition's submission to the CEDAW Committee on the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems here.