AJC STATEMENT ON THE ICJ MERITS PROCEEDINGS IN THE GAMBIA v. MYANMAR

 

On 10 February, the Asia Justice Coalition released a statement welcoming the merits proceedings in The Gambia v. Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. This marks the first time a non-injured State has brought a case under the Genocide Convention, seeking to establish state responsibility of Myanmar under international law under the Genocide Convention. The statement also welcomed the participation of the Rohingya community members from Cox’s Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh, and the Court's closed-door examination of the Rohingya witnesses, which rendered the proceedings more inclusive and representative.

 

AJC PRIMER ON ‘MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE, EXTRADITION, AND DOUBLE CRIMINALITY’

 

On 14 February, in recognition of the second anniversary of the Ljubljana–The Hague Convention on International Cooperation for Atrocity Crimes, the Asia Justice Coalition published a primer addressing mutual legal assistance (MLA), extradition, and the principle of double criminality.  This primer offers a concise explanation of the following: 1) what is meant by 'mutual legal assistance' and 'extradition' regarding criminal cases; 2) what is meant by the 'principle of double criminality'; 3) whether it matters for double criminality and cooperation if States have not specifically criminalised core international crimes; 4) what this may mean for accountability in Asia, and 5) any relevance of the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention.

AJC UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION UPDATES

 

On 26 February, the Asia Justice Coalition released its Universal Jurisdiction Updates (2023 - 2026). AJC gathers, curates, and consolidates publicly available information and resources on cases and proceedings filed under the principle of universal jurisdiction for atrocity crimes to advance international justice and accountability across the globe, including Asia. This project is in partnership with Associate Professor Dr Emma Palmer and Prasadi Wijesinghe of Griffith University, whose work is supported by the Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Award project, ‘Universal Jurisdiction for International Crimes in the Asia-Pacific’ (DE250100597).

 

AJC GOOGLE GROUP ON STRATEGIC AVENUES

 

The Asia Justice Coalition invites interest from legal practitioners and researchers for its Google Group on Strategic Avenues for Seeking Justice and Accountability for Atrocity Crimes. The Google Group will function as a listserv, enabling efficient and horizontal sharing of information for members’ mutual benefit. Members of the Google Group are welcome regardless of geographic location or geographic focus. Ideally, developments in other regions will inform options in Asia and vice versa. Apply here.

LAW: SURVIVORS DIALOGUE IN THE HAGUE

 

At the conclusion of the ICJ merits hearings in The Hague, Legal Action Worldwide and REDRESS convened a Survivors’ Dialogue event with the European Union. The dialogue centered on Rohingya genocide survivors and brought survivors from Bosnia, Iraq, Palestine, and Sudan into solidarity discussions on accountability, survivor participation, and pathways to justice.

 

ICJ: ‘FIVE YEARS AFTER THE COUP “JUSTICE SYSTEM” REMAINS AN INSTRUMENT OF REPRESSION’

 

On 31 January, Asia Justice Coalition member the International Commission of Jurists called on the military authorities to move immediately to restore civilian and constitutional rule operating under the rule of law. It further called on all States to deny any form of military support to Myanmar, which has enabled the junta to continue committing serious human rights abuses with complete impunity. According to Mandira Sharma, Asia-Pacific Director, “Myanmar has been plunged into a state where the rule of law has entirely ceased to operate, judicial independence has effectively collapsed, and courts entirely operate as extensions of military authority.”

 

BHRN: ‘FIVE YEARS SINCE THE COUP, THE JUNTA CONTINUES TO KILL WITH IMPUNITY IN BURMA’

 

On 1 February, the Burma Human Rights Network called on the international community to move beyond rhetoric and act to hold the Myanmar military accountable. According to Kyaw Win, Executive Director, BHRN, "Five years of statements of concern have not stopped a single airstrike. Governments must impose a comprehensive arms embargo, including aviation fuel and dual-use components, close the gaps in sanctions coordination, reject any legitimacy for the junta's sham elections, and support every available avenue for accountability. We have been calling for these measures for years. The solutions are clear. What is missing is the political will”.

 

GJC: SUBMISSION TO UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON MYANMAR ON GENDER INCLUSIVITY IN TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE

 

On 2 February, GJC made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar on “Gender Inclusivity in Transitional Justice Mechanisms in Myanmar”. Drawing examples from global transitional justice processes, the submission highlights four overlapping principles necessary for a gender-sensitive transitional justice process: (A) early commitment to gender-competent architecture; (B) establishment of mechanisms and remedies that are broad and address structural inequality; (C) community-driven inclusivity and incorporation of diverse perspectives; and (D) long-term financial and other support from the international community.

 

BROUK: ‘JUSTICE MOVES CLOSER FOR ROHINGYA AS VICTIMS SEEK REPARATIONS IN LANDMARK GENOCIDE CASE’

 

On 12 February, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK filed a civil suit in Argentina seeking reparations for the victims of the Rohingya genocide under international law. The petition, which is filed under the principle of universal jurisdiction, is part of a wider criminal investigation in Argentina, where the judiciary is pursuing charges against senior Burmese military officials for genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya. BROUK’s petition stresses that senior Burmese military officials hold significant economic assets that can be used to compensate Rohingya victims, as identified by the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar and others.

HRW: Q&A AHEAD OF THE ICC HEARING AGAINST FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT DUTERTE

 

On 16 February, ahead of the confirmation of charges hearing against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (23 to 27 February 2026) to determine whether the case against him should proceed to trial, Human Rights Watch published a Q&A brief outlining the background to the ICC case against Duterte, the purpose of the confirmation hearing, key due process safeguards, and what may follow.

 

GCR2P: LETTER TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL MEMBERS ON ATROCITY PREVENTION PRIORITIES

 

On 23 February, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect issued an open letter to UN Human Rights Council members ahead of the Council’s 61st session, urging delegations to uphold the Council’s prevention mandate and to strengthen action where populations face or are at risk of mass atrocity crimes, including Myanmar. GCR2P urged States for the renewal of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and to advocate for the appointment of a strong expert following the end of the current term and support for including R2P language in the resolution, emphasizing that “the government of Myanmar has the primary responsibility to protect its population from crimes against humanity and war crimes.

 

FORTIFY RIGHTS: ‘MYANMAR JUNTA ATTACKS ON FARMERS MAY CONSTITUTE WAR CRIMES’

 

On 26 February, a new investigation by Fortify Rights reported that the Myanmar military junta attacked farming communities in Karenni State and on the Karenni–Shan State border, deliberately targeting civilians, farmland, and food systems during a critical harvest period. Fortify has documented attacks on farmers through detention, torture, shelling, and aerial assaults and believes these attacks likely amount to war crimes.

 

BROUK: WEBINAR ON ROHINGYA RELIGIOUS MINORITY IN MYANMAR

 

On 26 February, Tun Khin (President, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK), participated in a webinar entitled ‘Burmese Rohingya 2026: Religious Minority Facing Extermination in Myanmar’ along with Wai Wai Nu (Women’s Peace Network) and Peggy Yujiri (UPF, Colorado), addressing humanitarian issues, religious discrimination, refugee experience, and paths to justice.

 

LAW: DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGE BY THE BANGLADESH HIGH COMMISSION WITH THE ROHINGYA VICTIM DELEGATION 

 

On 27 January, the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague hosted a diplomatic exchange, bringing together members of the diplomatic corps, the ICJ Gambian legal team, and civil society to discuss accountability and pathways for justice and reparations for the Rohingya. Antonia Mulvey, Executive Director of Legal Action Worldwide, highlighted victims’ expectations from the Court and the significance of international legal processes in advancing justice for survivors of mass atrocities.

 

ICJ WEBINAR ON ‘CHILDREN AS VICTIMS OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY’

 

On 27 February, Asia Justice Coalition member International Commission of Jurists organised a webinar on 'Children as Victims of Crimes Against Humanity: Why the Myanmar Experience Must Shape a New International Treaty' with Kate Vigneswaran, Mandira Sharma, Mikiko Otani, Zar Li Aye, and Tiina Vahtras. The webinar examined how Myanmar’s experience must inform the development of the new convention and why the explicit inclusion of children is essential.

UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL OPENS 61^ST REGULAR SESSION

 

On 23 February, the United Nations Human Rights Council officially opened its 61^st regular session in Geneva. In his opening address, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk highlighted Myanmar among the world’s most acute crises, noting that five years after the military coup, the conflict continues to claim civilian lives, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating, and the military’s recent staged elections have deepened public despair.

 

TIMOR-LESTE LAUNCHES LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MYANMAR MILITARY OFFICIALS

 

On 2 February, judicial authorities in Timor-Leste initiated legal proceedings against Myanmar’s military junta, including its leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The case, filed by the Chin Human Rights Organisation in January, accuses 10 members of Myanmar’s junta of killings, rape, indiscriminate attacks, and other grave crimes. Following the initiation of proceedings, on 13 February, Myanmar’s military expelled the head of Timor-Leste’s Embassy in Yangon.

UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AS SEXUAL VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN MYANMAR

 

On 2 February, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, strongly condemned the continued use of rape, gang rape, and other forms of sexual violence in Myanmar as a tactic of war and political repression and called for accountability for perpetrators and protection for survivors. Special Representative Patten pledged the unwavering commitment of her mandate to supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence related to Myanmar, amplifying their voices, and strengthening survivor-centered prevention and response.

 

UN SR MYANMAR ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MILITARY COUP

 

On 30 January, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, urged the international community to deny the junta what it

needs to sustain its violence: money, weapons, and legitimacy. According to Andrews, “The potential of principled effective international action has been demonstrated. It works. What is needed now is to build on the positive steps that have been taken in support of the courageous people of Myanmar”.