GJC: CAH AND GENDER JUSTICE LEGAL BRIEF SUMMARIES 

 

On 31 October, the Global Justice Center published a summary of the legal brief on Crimes Against Humanity and reproductive autonomy. Earlier, as a part of its series on the CAH Convention and gender provisions, GJC published a summary of the forced marriage. To read the full legal briefs, check here.

 

AI: GLOBAL WEBINAR ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY CONVENTION NEGOTIATIONS

 

On 12 November, Amnesty International hosted a global webinar on 'The Start of Formal Negotiations on a Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity'. Ahead of the January 2026 Preparatory Committee session in New York, the webinar covered a range of topics, including regional importance and perspective, civil society participation, and substantive and procedural issues around the ILC Draft Articles. The webinar witnessed participation from various stakeholders, including the diplomatic corps, legal advisors, academics, researchers, civil society representatives, and victim and survivor groups from all regions of the world.

 

HRW: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

 

On 27 October, Asia Justice Coalition member Human Rights Watch and Columbia Law School’s Prevention of Crimes Against Humanity Project published a briefing paper outlining 25 recommendations for delegations at the United Nations to consider as they prepare for the formal treaty negotiations for an effective International Convention to Prevent and Punish Crimes against Humanity. According to HRW, “the collective will of supportive states, especially with leadership from the Global South and the determination of civil society, will be necessary to ensure an effective treaty becomes reality”.

 

FORTIFY RIGHTS: COORDINATE URGENT SEARCH AND RESCUE OF ROHINGYA REFUGEES AT SEA, ALLOW SAFE DISEMBARKATION

 

On 11 November, Fortify Rights called upon the Government of Malaysia to coordinate with other Southeast Asian governments, including Thailand and Indonesia, to urgently launch search and rescue operations for Rohingya and other refugees stranded at sea. According to Fortify, “Ongoing and unmitigated abuses by the Myanmar junta and Arakan Army in Rakhine State, along with dire conditions in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, are driving the Rohingya to risk their lives at sea. This is a years-long trend. Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and other countries must act urgently to save lives, provide protection, and ensure safe disembarkation for all.”

 

HRW: MYANMAR ELECTIONS A FRAUDULENT CLAIM FOR CREDIBILITY

 

On 16 November, Human Rights Watch called upon foreign governments to reject the Myanmar junta’s plans to hold elections from late December 2025 through January 2026 because they will not be free, fair, or inclusive. According to HRW, “The Myanmar junta’s sham elections are a desperate bid for international legitimacy after nearly five years of brutal military repression. Governments lending any credibility to these polls would signal a complete lack of support for rights-respecting civilian democratic rule in Myanmar.”

AI: ‘MIGRANT BOAT TRAGEDY HIGHLIGHTS WORSENING PLIGHT OF ROHINGYA’

 

On 10 November, responding to the reports of the death of at least 21 people after a boat carrying around 70 migrants and refugees sank near the border between Thailand and Malaysia, Amnesty International called on the Malaysian and Thai governments to coordinate comprehensive search and rescue missions for survivors of the tragedy and provide them with humanitarian assistance and protection from forcible return to Myanmar. According to AI, “The unconscionable practice of pushing boats away from borders must end, and regional governments must ensure that any boats carrying refugees and migrants are allowed to land safely in the nearest country. ASEAN leaders must act decisively to address the long-standing issue of Rohingya boats at sea, as well as the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.”

 

BROUK: REPORT LAUNCH ON THE ROHINGYA GENOCIDE, STARVATION, AND FORCED LABOUR AS TOOLS OF ERASURE

 

On 19 November, Asia Justice Coalition member the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) organised an online panel discussion and launched its report entitled “The Rohingya Genocide: Starvation and Forced Labour as Tools of Erasure”. The report documents continued breaches of the International Court of Justice’s binding orders to protect the Rohingya, ahead of Myanmar’s next reporting deadline to the Court. Drawing on first-hand accounts from Rakhine State, the report reveals how starvation and forced labour are being used as tools of erasure. Trade and aid blockades have led to acute malnutrition among Rohingya children, while many are being forcibly recruited and sent to the frontlines. In northern Rakhine, the Arakan Army has escalated forced labour, recruitment, and arbitrary arrests of Rohingya civilians.

  

FORTIFY RIGHTS: JUNTA AIRSTRIKES KILL CIVILIANS AND DESTROY SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND MEDICAL FACILITIES AHEAD OF SHAM ELECTIONS

 

On 19 November, Asia Justice Coalition member Fortify Rights published a new report entitled 'Horrific Sight to Witness: Airstrikes on Civilians by Myanmar's Military Junta Ahead of Sham Elections'. The report documents 12 junta airstrikes in Karenni State and on the Karenni-Shan State border between June and September 2025. The attacks killed at least 55 civilians, injured more than 40 others, and destroyed schools, churches, medical facilities, displacement camps, and homes. According to Fortify, “A credible vote is impossible due to the junta’s ongoing crimes and lack of space for meaningful political participation in the country, with many opposition leaders, including the former democratically elected government, imprisoned or killed. The international community should continue to reject the legitimacy of the military junta’s coup and to demand a return to dialogue and a democratic transition.”

 

GCR2P MYANMAR ATROCITY ALERT

 

On 26 November, Asia Justice Coalition member Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect released its Atrocity Alert, sharing concerns and risks ahead of the scheduled December general elections in Myanmar. According to GCR2P, “Following years of escalating repression, the junta’s insistence on holding elections without inclusive political dialogue or respect for fundamental rights reflects a broader attempt to legitimize military rule. The international community must increase pressure on the military authorities, support local aid and protection efforts, and reject the electoral process. Without sustained diplomatic, humanitarian, and accountability measures, civilians will continue to bear the costs of the junta’s attempt to cling to power under the guise of a national vote.”

IIMM: SERIOUS INTERNATIONAL CRIMES MAY BE COMMITTED AHEAD OF MYANMAR ELECTIONS

 

Ahead of the December elections in Myanmar, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar warned that serious international crimes may be committed in the country. According to the IIMM, “Conducting an election that is not free and fair, or which violates a country’s constitution, does not constitute a crime within the Mechanism’s mandate – which is limited to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. However, the Mechanism has received worrying reports of actions in the context of elections that may amount to persecution and spreading terror in a civilian population as crimes against humanity.”

 

UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON MYANMAR'S NEW REPORT ON DISABILITY RIGHTS

 

On 13 November, the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, published a new report entitled 'The Hidden Crisis: Disability Rights in Post-Coup Myanmar', documenting how junta forces have executed, tortured, and sexually assaulted persons with disabilities while their relentless repression and violence are trapping many in a daily fight for survival. The report reveals how the 2021 military coup has devastated the lives of persons with disabilities in Myanmar, compounding historical stigma and discrimination. The new report describes the immense challenges facing persons with disabilities in Myanmar, including deep-rooted religious and cultural beliefs that perpetuate their isolation and disenfranchisement. It also spotlights the remarkable efforts of persons with disabilities and their organisations to address these conditions and support those caught in a vicious cycle of repression and discrimination.

FAO – WFP EARLY WARNINGS ON ACUTE FOOD INSECURITY

 

The Food and Agriculture Organization - World Food Programme published early warnings on acute food insecurity (November 2025 to November 2026). According to the warning report, in Myanmar, “the combined effects of conflict, economic crisis, monsoon floods, and funding shortfalls amid extreme access constraints are expected to drive persistently high levels of acute food insecurity as well as an extremely critical. malnutrition situation in a hotspot area of northern Rakhine during the outlook period”. Further, in Cox' Bazaar, Bangladesh, “since early 2024, over 133,000 new arrivals have been recorded. The latest surge of refugees fleeing renewed violence in Rakhine has further strained resources. Current resources will run out in early 2026 for food and nutrition assistance for the entire population.”

 

OHCHA MYANMAR HUMANITARIAN UPDATE

 

On 17 November, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs published a humanitarian update. According to the update, “Myanmar remains classified as a hunger hotspot of “very high concern; in Rakhine State, the nutrition situation is projected to deteriorate rapidly, particularly in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships.” Further, with less than two months remaining in the year, the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is severely underfunded, with only 15 percent of required resources received. This funding gap threatens the delivery of life-saving assistance to millions in need.

 

IIMM LINKEDIN PAGE

 

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) is now on LinkedIn. Follow the page to stay updated about the IIMM's work, including public statements and reports. You can learn about the IIMM's mandate here.