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ICC–NGO ROUNDTABLES 2025
From 16 – 20 June, the Asia Justice Coalition and its members participated in the International Criminal Court – NGO Roundtables. The Roundtables provided an opportunity to engage with the Court’s principals and officials from various organs and sections on all matters related to the situations before the Court, including Bangladesh/Myanmar.
AJC – CPJ: RE-IMAGINING CONSTITUTION WORKSHOP
On June 26, the Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University, organised a one day "Re-imagining the Constitution through lived experiences" workshop in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, as a part of the Women Leaders in International Justice and Accountability (WIJA) Project. The primary objective of the workshop was to foster discussion on an inclusive constitution in Bangladesh. The workshop witnessed participation from 19 young men and women from the Garo communities in Mymensingh.
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AJC – CPJ: FEMINIST JUDGMENT WRITING WORKSHOP
On 17 June, the Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University, organised a virtual 'Judgment Writing Workshop' as a part of the Women Leaders in International Justice and Accountability (WIJA) Project. The workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of early-career women practitioners who are rewriting four case judgments from Bangladesh through a feminist and inclusive lens. The workshop has been facilitated by Honourable Former Justice Muhammad Imman Ali, Judge of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
DR PILLAI’S PRESENTATION ON UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION
On 5-6 June, AJC Executive Director Dr. Priya Pillai participated in a two-day symposium on ‘Intersectionality and International Criminal Justice’ organised by the University of Münster, Germany. Dr. Pillai delivered a presentation on universal jurisdiction at the symposium.
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LAW: ORAL STATEMENT AT THE HRC SESSION ON MYANMAR
On 27 June, Legal Action Worldwide delivered an oral statement during the interactive dialogue on the Myanmar situation and called upon the Member States to review and take all necessary action, including legislative action, to enable the investigation and prosecution of core international crimes under their domestic jurisdictions as well as to ensure the meaningful participation of survivors and witnesses in these proceedings. In line with the Gambia, LAW urged Member States to call for securing reparative measures and even further strive for the establishment of a trust fund for victims and survivors of green human rights violations.
AI: ORAL STATEMENT AT THE HRC ON MYANMAR ANNUAL REPORT
On 27 June, Amnesty International delivered an oral statement during the interactive dialogue on the Myanmar annual report of the UN High Commissioner at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Amnesty highlighted the disturbing trend of member states pulling back from aid commitments, leaving people in Myanmar shortchanged and called upon the High Commissioner and the Special Rapporteur to elaborate on urgent steps that UN Member states can take to ensure that the people in Myanmar get the international financial support they need.
BHRN: NEW REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST ROHINGYA WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN BANGLADESH
On 27 June, the Burma Human Rights Network released a new report entitled “Everywhere Women Are Being Restricted” documenting severe restrictions, violence, intimidation, surveillance, targeted attacks and threats faced by Rohingya women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in Bangladesh from both state and non-state actors. According to BHRN, “The failure to protect Rohingya women from violence—whether from security forces, armed groups, or within their own communities—has left them in an increasingly vulnerable position. Yet, despite these risks, Rohingya WHRDs remain resolute in their fight for justice, equality, and the rights of their people. Without urgent intervention, they will continue to face extreme risks for simply exercising their fundamental rights”.
HRW: ‘FOREIGN AID CUTS AFFECT ROHINGYA CHILDREN’S EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH’
On 25 June, Asia Justice Coalition member Human Rights Watch reported that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) suspended thousands of “learning centers” run by nongovernmental organizations in the refugee camps, due to lack of funding. According to HRW, “Lack of education opportunities has also increased children’s vulnerability to spiraling violence by armed groups and criminal gangs in the Cox’s Bazar camps, including abductions, recruitment, and trafficking.” HRW called upon the interim Bangladesh government to recognize community-led schools and the United Nations and aid agencies to include Rohingya educators in decision-making and leadership roles.
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BROUK: ECCHR PANEL DISCUSSION ON IMPUNITY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
On 24 June, Tun Khin (President, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK) participated in a panel discussion on ‘Impunity in Uncertain Times’ organised by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and highlighted the urgent need for justice, accountability, and reparations for the Rohingya Genocide and all atrocities in Myanmar. He further called on the international community to support arrest warrants and end impunity.
GJC: Q&A ON THE UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION CASE AGAINST MYANMAR OFFICIALS (TRANSLATIONS)
On 24 June, the Global Justice Center and Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) published their Q&A on the Argentinian universal jurisdiction case against Myanmar officials in English, Spanish and Burmese translations.
HRW: ‘POST-COUP CONSCRIPTED CHILD SOLDIERS’
On 24 June, Human Rights Watch reported that, according to the United Nation’s annual report on children in armed conflict, the only state actor listed for a horrendous number of the five types of violations against children in armed conflict is the Myanmar junta. Other non-state actors in the country are also on the list. According to HRW, "over 2,138 grave violations against children have been documented and verified by the UN. Over a thousand are pending verification. The Myanmar junta is recruiting and using child soldiers, killing and maiming children, committing sexual violence against children, attacking schools and hospitals, and abducting children".
GCR2P: “THE ROLE OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND AFFECTED COMMUNITIES IN MOBILIZING MULTILATERAL ACTION TO RESPOND TO ATROCITY CRIMES”
Ahead of the 11th meeting of the Global Network of R2P Focal Points, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect hosted a closed-door workshop entitled “Voices from the Frontline: The Role of Human Rights Defenders and Affected Communities in Mobilizing Multilateral Action to Respond to Atrocity Crimes” at the European External Action Service in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting brought together more than 15 civil society representatives, grassroots human rights defenders and members of affected communities from around the world, including Myanmar.
GCR2P: EXPERT VOICES ON ATROCITY PREVENTION WITH MÔ BLEEKER
On 20 June, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect, the Global Centre was in conversation with the UN Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, Mô Bekker, reflecting on what is at stake in ensuring states act to prevent and respond to atrocities and on the diplomatic challenges of advancing R2P.
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BROUK: ‘JOINT STATEMENT ON WORLD REFUGEE DAY: SUPPORT MYANMAR’S DISPLACED COMMUNITIES THROUGH BORDER-BASED AID AND LEGAL PROTECTION’
On 20 June, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK published a joint statement calling upon the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Myanmar’s neighboring countries, and the wider international community to take immediate, concrete actions to address the dire humanitarian needs of Myanmar’s displaced communities through border-based channels and ensure legal protection for Myanmar refugees around the world.
LAW: ‘WOMEN SURVIVORS LEAD THE FIGHT AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN MYANMAR’
On 19 June, Legal Action Worldwide Executive Director Antonia Mulvey participated in an event co-hosted by the Mukwege Foundation and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangkok on the International Day for the Elimination of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). Mulvey highlighted LAW’s specific work regarding CRSV in Myanmar and spoke about interviewing over 150 Rohingya women and girls who survived grave sexual violence in 2017, all of whom expressed a desire for justice and accountability.
LAW PARTICIPATION AT THE CEVAW CONFERENCE
Ishita Kumar (Legal Advisor, Legal Action Worldwide) attended The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) conference in Australia. She highlighted the important role of grassroots-level women leadership in facilitating survivor-centric evidence-collection for CRSV in a mass displacement context, sharing reflections based on the team's experience working with the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
HRW: ‘ROHINGYA FACING RISKS EVERYWHERE, AT ALL TIMES’
On 15 June, Human Rights Watch urged UN Member States at the UN Human Rights Council to adopt a robust resolution on Myanmar, calling for the cessation of ongoing violations against civilians and the Rohingya. According to HRW, “This resolution is a crucial opportunity for states to urge host countries to end any pushbacks and coerced returns. They should call for Myanmar’s junta to cease its abuses and permit humanitarian aid. Countries should strengthen and expand existing sanctions, particularly on arms transfers, jet fuel, and oil and gas revenues.”
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FORTIFY RIGHTS: ILO MEMBER STATES MUST IMPLEMENT RESOLUTION ON MYANMAR JUNTA
On 12 June, Fortify Rights called upon International Labour Organization (ILO) member states and organizations to fully implement measures recommended by the ILO’s governing body aimed at ending the Myanmar junta’s abuses. Fortify Rights reported that a resolution, passed by the International Labour Conference (ILC), calls on ILO member states and constituent organizations to “disable” the junta’s ability to commit atrocity crimes. According to Fortify, “ILO member states and organizations must now act to comprehensively disable the junta’s war machine through sanctions and actions targeting the junta’s arms, funds, and impunity.”
BROUK: NEW REPORT AND PANEL DISCUSSION ON STARVATION AS GENOCIDE
On 12 June, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) organized a panel discussion and launched its new report entitled 'Starving to Death: The latest phase of the Rohingya genocide'. The report calls on the British government, as penholder on Burma at the UN Security Council, to urgently convene a meeting to take action on the Burmese military’s continued obstruction of humanitarian aid in Rakhine State and Burma as a whole.
GJC: PANEL DISCUSSION ON TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN MYANMAR
On 12 June, Asia Justice Coalition member Michelle Onello (Senior Legal Advisor, Global Justice Center) participated in a panel discussion entitled 'Theory and Concept of Transitional Justice: Connect Myanmar’s Experiences To Global Transitional Justice Frameworks and Promote Inclusive Research and Advocacy'.
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THE SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON MYANMAR BRIEFS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On 10 June, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar, Julie Bishop, briefed the UN General Assembly during its 79th session. According to her, “a zero-sum approach persists on all sides. Armed clashes remain a barrier to meeting humanitarian needs. The flow of weapons into the country is fuelling the expectations that a military solution is within reach. The SAC's planned elections remain deeply contested..such elections risk fueling greater resistance and instability”. She called upon the UN and its Member States to act to prevent further decline and reaffirm its unwavering support for the people of Myanmar."
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