AJC PARTICIPATION IN THE CAH PREPARATORY COMMITTEE SESSION

 

From 19 – 30 January, Asia Justice Coalition Executive Director Dr Priya Pillai attended the first session of the Preparatory Committee of the Crimes Against Humanity Convention at the UN Headquarters in New York. AJC collaborated with its members, fellow civil society partners, academics, and experts and undertook various advocacy initiatives with UN Member States. The Committee adopted the recommendation of the coordinator, Ms. Keke Motsepe (South Africa) by consensus concerning the participation of stakeholders other than those in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

 

SIDE EVENT ON FACILITATING ENFORCEMENT OF THE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

 

On 27 January, Asia Justice Coalition, International Commission of Jurists, Global Justice Center, Atlantic Council, Washington University Law School, Columbia Law School co-hosted a side event with the Permanent Mission of Mexico and Timor Leste to the UN on ‘Facilitating Enforcement of the Crimes Against Humanity Convention’. The panel included Dr Priya Pillai, Kate Vigneswaran, Sebastiaan Verelst, Mikiko Otani, and Prof. Leila Sadat.

 

SIDE EVENT ON ADVANCING THE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY TREATY

 

On 26 January, Dr Priya Pillai participated in an expert panel discussion on 'Advancing the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty: Expert Perspectives and Reflections' co-organised by the Permanent Missions of Mexico, The Gambia, The Philippines, and Switzerland to the UN. The other panellists were: event panel comprised of Prof. Leila Sadat, Prof. Olympia Bekou, Dr Patricia Sellers, Christopher Lentz and Natalie L. Reid.

CSO DECLARATION ON ADVANCING GENDER JUSTICE IN THE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY CONVENTION

 

On 19 January, Asia Justice Coalition joined 200+ organisations to urge UN Member States to adopt a gender-competent and intersectional negotiation process and Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity, which is shaped by victims’ multidimensional experiences. The declaration calls for the recognition of all gender-based harms that meet the crimes-against-humanity threshold by codifying reproductive violence, gender apartheid, and slave trade and centering victims and survivors in the convention.

 

JOINT CSO DECLARATION ON THE CAH CONVENTION

 

On 14 January, ahead of the first Preparatory Committee session of the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity, the Asia Justice Coalition joined fellow civil society partners and organisations from across the world to called for full, meaningful, and safe participation of civil society in the preparation and negotiation of the Crimes Against Humanity Convention.

GCR2P: EXPERT VOICES ON ATROCITY PREVENTION EPISODE WITH TOM ANDREWS

 

On 30 January, ahead of the fifth anniversary of the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect spoke with Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. In the podcast, Tom examined the escalating atrocity risks for populations amidst the junta’s ongoing “elections” and how the coup has shaped the ongoing crises across the country. Tom also discussed how he has leveraged his role as Special Rapporteur to highlight enablers of atrocities and explore avenues for justice, among other issues and addressed the critical role of civil society.

 

GJC REFLECTIONS FROM THE HAGUE

 

On 29 January, the Global Justice Center Legal Fellow Marianne Vitug shared her observations after attending The Gambia v. Myanmar proceedings in The Hague and highlighted the arguments on sexual and gender-based violence as genocidal intent.

 

LAW: ROHINGYA GENOCIDE WITNESSES OFFER HARROWING ACCOUNTS AT THE WORLD COURT 

 

On 29 January, Legal Action Worldwide published a statement to mark the conclusion of a three weeks full merits hearings on the case of the Rohingya genocide, opposing The Gambia to Myanmar. The judges have heard arguments of both sides and, in what is rare for an inter-State proceeding, directly from Rohingya witnesses, some of whom traveled from the camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. These victims have been supported by LAW, to ensure inclusion and participation of Rohingya in international justice mechanisms. According to Antonia Mulvey, LAW’s Executive Director, “Seeing Rohingya genocide survivors bravely testify in front of the Judges; seeing the Gambia’s counsel presenting facts in Court; having UN member states meet with victims and extend their support; observing the press, the public and the wider Rohingya community and other ethnic groups from Myanmar follow the case: it was profoundly moving”.

 

FORTIFY RIGHTS: ‘AUSTRALIA AND TIMOR-LESTE REFER MYANMAR CRISIS TO INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT’

 

On 28 January, Fortify Rights called on the governments of Australia and Timor-Leste to jointly refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court. According to Fortify, “Australia and Timor-Leste should show global leadership for the values of democracy and human rights and the principle of accountability and translate rhetoric into action by referring Myanmar to the International Criminal Court”.

 

HRW, FORTIFY, AI: ‘JUNTA ATROCITIES SURGE 5 YEARS SINCE COUP’

 

On 28 January, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Fortify Rights called on UN Security Council members to outline targeted accountability measures to be taken against the Myanmar military junta for its refusal to comply with the council resolution and numerous other international calls. According to the statement, “Holding regular open meetings on Myanmar can help build momentum for a follow-up resolution referring the whole country situation to the ICC and instituting a global embargo on arms and jet fuel.”

 

FORTIFY RIGHTS: ‘JUNTA INCREASES ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS USING PARAMOTORS AND GYROCOPTERS’

 

On 26 January, Fortify Rights reported that the Myanmar military junta is increasingly carrying out targeted attacks on civilians using commercial paramotors and gyrocopters. According to Fortify, “[b]eginning with an attack in Mandalay Region in December 2024, the military has repeatedly used paramotors and gyrocopters to bomb peaceful gatherings and protected civilian sites—schools, hospitals, monasteries, and houses—across Myanmar’s central lowlands”. Fortify calls on governments to urgently sanction the transfer of weapons, aviation fuel, and dual-use technologies to Myanmar—including the components used to assemble paramotors and gyrocopters.

FORTIFY RIGHTS: NEW REPORT ON MASS ARBITRARY DETENTION OF ROHINGYA REFUGEES ON BHASAN CHAR

 

On 21 January, Fortify Rights hosted a press conference in Dhaka and launched a new report on the mass arbitrary detention of Rohingya refugees on Bhasan Char, Bangladesh. The report, entitled “Like Prisoners”: The Mass Arbitrary Detention and ‘Warehousing’ of Rohingya Refugees from Myanmar on Bhasan Char” in Bangladesh, details how Bangladesh authorities forcibly transferred and arbitrarily detained Rohingya refugees on Bhasan Char.

 

AI, ICJ, HRW: STATES SHOULD ENABLE BROAD CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION AND ENSURE THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 

On 19 January, Asia Justice Coalition members Amnesty International, International Commission of Jurists, Human Rights Watch, and other organisations called upon all States to enable full, effective, and broad participation of persons with disabilities and their representatives and ensure the protection and rights of persons with disabilities in the future Crimes Against Humanity Convention. Read the full joint statement here.

 

GCR2P MYANMAR ATROCITY ALERT

 

On 14 January, Asia Justice Coalition member Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect released its Atrocity Alert, sharing reflections on the ICJ proceedings in The Gambia v. Myanmar case. According to the Executive Director, Savita Pawnday, “The ICJ case is a critical test of the international community’s commitment to accountability for mass atrocities. For the Rohingya, it offers rare recognition under international law and reminds the world that justice delayed must not become justice denied and that legal proceedings remain a powerful tool for protection and prevention for populations everywhere.”

 

BROUK, HRW, GJC: ADVANCING JUSTICE FOR MYANMAR

 

On 12 January, Asia Justice Coalition members and partners Human Rights Watch, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Global Justice Center, and Women's Peace Network organised a side event entitled ‘Advancing Justice for Myanmar: Landmark Hearings at the International Court of Justice’ in parallel to the ongoing ICJ proceedings in The Gambia v. Myanmar case.  The event witnessed participation from the Rohingya community, State representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society, and activists. Watch the full recording of the event here.

 

BROUK: ‘BURMA FACES THE ICJ AS ATROCITIES AGAINST THE ROHINGYA CONTINUE’

 

On 11 January, the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK) published a statement ahead of the public hearings in the Rohingya genocide case. BROUK recognises and is grateful for the leadership of The Gambia in bringing this case and for the support of the eleven intervening states, including the United Kingdom. According to Tun Khin (President, BROUK), “Being heard before the Court brings recognition after years of denial and erasure. But justice requires more than hearings. It requires an end to the ongoing genocide, accountability for all perpetrators, and the full restoration of Rohingya rights”. BROUK also published its reflections from the proceedings available here.

 

HRW, GJC, BROUK: “CRITICAL HEARINGS IN ROHINGYA GENOCIDE CASE”

 

On 8 January, ahead of the ICJ proceedings in The Gambia v. Myanmar,  the Asia Justice Coalition members and partners, including Human Rights Watch, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Global Justice Center, and Women's Peace Network, published a press release. According to the statement, “Amid ongoing violations against the Rohingya, the world must stand firm in the pursuit of justice and a path toward ending impunity in Myanmar and restoring our rights.”

 

LAW: ‘NEW REPORT EXPOSES PATTERNS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN POST-COUP MYANMAR’ 

 

On 7 January, Legal Action Worldwide published a new report, “They Thought We’d Stay Silent: Survivors of Brutal Sexual Violence-Fight Impunity in Post-Coup Myanmar”. The report reveals a dramatic escalation of conflict-related sexual violence in regions where such patterns had not previously been recorded. Sagaing and Magway, at the epicentres of the post-coup conflict, now show extensive, coordinated, and systematic sexual violence deployed as a deliberate tool of terror and collective punishment. LAW’s findings depict two dominant patterns of abuse. The first is sexual violence perpetrated during military operations, often involving gang rape accompanied by brutal physical torture aimed at extinguishing communal resistance. The second occurs in interrogation centres where sexual violence is used systematically to break detainees, humiliate them, and force confessions. 

ROHINGYA VOICES AT THE ICJ IS A STEP TOWARD TRUTH AND JUSTICE

 

On 30 January, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews hailed the tenacity of Rohingya survivors and those who worked tirelessly to make their voices heard in The Hague. According to Andrews, “The willingness of these survivors to come forward [and testify before the International Court of Justice] is a reflection of their remarkable courage, allowing the light of truth to shine through the darkness of the most horrific of crimes. The fact that they were present in the Court is a reflection of the tenacity of those who worked tirelessly to enable their safe, dignified and meaningful participation in these historic hearings.”

 

ICC: RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE FIT TO TAKE PART IN PRE-TRIAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On 26 January, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court found Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings and scheduled the commencement of the confirmation of charges hearing for 23 February 2026 at 10:00 (The Hague local time). Pre-Trial Chamber I is composed of Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc and Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera.

UN EXPERT URGES REJECTION OF MYANMAR JUNTA’S SHAM POLL RESULTS

 

On 23 January, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews called on the international community to unequivocally reject the illegitimate election results in Myanmar and any power arrangement that follows, as voting concludes in the country’s discredited parliamentary polls this weekend. According to Andrews, “States that endorse the results of these polls will be complicit in the junta’s attempt to legitimise military rule through a fabricated vote. The international community must maintain and intensify efforts to isolate the junta, its enablers, and any proxy government emerging from the so-called election.”

 

IIMM: THE GAMBIA V. MYANMAR Q&A

 

Ahead of the proceedings in The Gambia v. Myanmar case at the International Court of Justice, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar published an easy-to-understand two-pager Q&A in English and Burmese.