AJC AT THE ‘TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE, PEACE AND THE ROLE OF BUSINESS’ WORKSHOP

 

On 2 October, Asia Justice Coalition’s Senior Law and Policy Advisor Jennifer Keene-McCann participated in a practitioners panel at the academic workshop ‘Transitional Justice, Peace and the Role of Business’, held at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia. Jennifer discussed AJC’s research on 'creative accountability', including potential domestic causes of action against corporate actors extending beyond criminal trials, as well as when holding businesses accountable for their role in international crimes could serve states' interests.

 

AJC AT THE ‘2026 GENDER JUSTICE IN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW CONFERENCE’

 

On 6 October, AJC’s Executive Director, Dr Priya Pillai, facilitated and moderated the opening panel discussion of the 'Gender Justice in International Criminal Law Conference' entitled 'Asia in Focus,' with Melinda Rankin (Co-Director, PacificJust Network), and Priya Gopalan (International Criminal Lawyer). The panel opened with questions about what has actually worked, for whom, and why in Asia; assessed where ICL frameworks have added value, where they have fallen short, and which accountability pathways practitioners are prioritising now. The full recording of the panel is available here.

 

THE COALITION FOR A CONVENTION ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY STATEMENT ON INCLUSIVE CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN THE NEGOTIATIONS

 

On 12 October, the Coalition for a Convention on Crimes Against Humanity (C-CAH) published a statement calling upon UN Member States and Observer States to enable effective and inclusive civil society participation in the negotiations on a Convention on Crimes Against Humanity. The statement endorsed by 95 C-CAH members, including academics, independent experts and civil-society organisations from across the world, calls for an inclusive, transparent and non-discriminatory negotiation process that advances the participation of diverse, cross-regional civil society, including victims and survivors of crimes against humanity.

 

DR. PILLAI AT THE PROVINCIALISING INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYMPOSIUM

 

On 30 October, Dr. Priya Pillai participated in an international symposium on ‘Provicialising International Criminal Justice: From Where? For Whom?’ organised by Prof Jeßberger and Dr Kalika Mehta and jointly hosted event hosted by the Franz von Liszt Institute for International Criminal Law, the Journal of International Criminal Justice and the RefLex Centre for Advanced Studies at Humboldt University in Berlin. Dr. Pillai delivered her remarks on 'Jurisdiction’ along with Prof. Gerhard Kemp.

AJC JOINS 120+ NGOS AND LEGAL EXPERTS URGING STATE PARTIES TO DEFEND THE ICC AGAINST UNLAWFUL US SANCTIONS

 

On 12 October, AJC joined 120+ NGOs from over 60 countries, along with dozens of legal experts, human rights defenders and members of the European Parliament, to urgently call on States Parties to defend the International Criminal Court and protect those who cooperate with it. The statement condemned in the strongest terms the decision by the United States to impose unlawful sanctions on the Court and called upon States Parties to respond decisively to safeguard its independence and effectiveness.

 

AJC PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE ‘CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN THE ASEAN REGION AND THE CONVENTION ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY’

 

On 28 October, Asia Justice Coalition, Amnesty International, the International Commission of Jurists, and ALTSEAN Burma co-convened a side event on 'Crimes Against Humanity in the ASEAN Region and the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity' at the 2026 ASEAN Civil Society Conference/People’s Forum, in Quezon City, Philippines. The panel featured country presentations on the situations in Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste, alongside thematic presentations on the global and regional importance of the future Crimes Against Humanity convention, including questions of treaty enforcement. AJC's Senior Law and Advocacy Manager, Aakash Chandran, delivered his remarks on 'regional relevance and importance of ASEAN States and civil society in treaty making process'. AJC also published its infographic mapping position of Asian States based on October 2026 UNGA Sixth Committee session.

 

PANEL DISCUSSION ON ‘THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PROPOSED CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY TREATY’ 

 

On 30 October, Asia Justice Coalition, the Institute of International Legal Studies of the University of the Philippines Law Center, Amnesty International, the Global Justice Center, and the Asian Society of International Law International Criminal Law Interest Group co-sponsored a panel discussion on 'The Philippines and the Proposed Crimes Against Humanity Treaty.’ The panel discussed the substantive obligations within the proposed convention and the Philippines’ position, its priorities, and the next steps in the lead-up to the diplomatic negotiations. AJC's Senior Law and Advocacy Manager, Aakash Chandran, focused his remarks on the obligation to prevent in the Draft Articles and the importance of Philippines as a regional leader.

FORTIFY RIGHTS: ‘MYANMAR JUNTA AIRSTRIKES ON CIVILIANS IN RAKHINE MAY CONSTITUTE A WAR CRIME’

 

On 2 October, Fortify Rights published a news release reporting on the Myanmar military junta’s multiple airstrikes on several civilian areas in Kyauktaw Township, including in a public market, reportedly killing at least 50 civilians and wounding more than 50 others, including both Rakhine and Rohingya residents. According to Fortify, “The deliberate bombing of a crowded market and civilian areas appears to be yet another war crime. The consistent targeting of these protected civilian sites strongly suggests that the attacks are deliberate and constitute a more serious breach of the laws of war than indiscriminate attacks”.

 

BHRN: ‘MYANMAR: JUNTA RESTRICTIONS OBSTRUCT MOSQUE REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION’

 

On 7 October, the Burma Human Rights Network held a press conference in Bangkok and launched its new report "Blocked from Rebuilding: Myanmar Junta Restrictions on Mosque Repair and Reconstruction,” documenting how successive Myanmar governments and military regimes have imposed discriminatory restrictions that obstruct Muslim communities from constructing, repairing, and renovating mosques. BHRN documented at least 670 deaths when mosques and other religious buildings collapsed during the earthquake in March 2025. BHRN called on relevant authorities, including the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar to document discriminatory restrictions affecting Muslim places of worship, preserve relevant evidence, and support appropriate accountability processes.

 

HRW: ‘MALAYSIA: PRESS MYANMAR JUNTA LEADER TO END ABUSES’

 

On 6 October, Human Rights Watch published a statement urging Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to halt plans to forcibly return ethnic Rohingya and other people from Myanmar, where they face persecution, and to press Myanmar's junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, to end human rights abuses during his visit to Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian authorities deported about 1,500 Myanmar nationals on 29 September, the first batch in a series of phased returns. The statement reported that conditions for safe, dignified, and voluntary return to Myanmar do not currently exist and that the Malaysian government should immediately suspend all deportations to Myanmar, including its planned second phase, and grant UNHCR full and unimpeded access to all immigration detention centers.

 

CPJ: HATE SPEECH PREVENTION TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE

 

On 14 October, the Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University, in partnership with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and UN Women, organized a two-day "Hate Speech Prevention Training" for Peace Café members from BRAC University and the University of Dhaka. The specialized capacity-building initiative focused on understanding divisive narratives, practicing gender and conflict-sensitive communication, and promoting positive narratives for peacebuilding. 

 

BROUK, FORTIFY: ‘EU MUST CLOSE SANCTIONS LOOPHOLE’

 

On 20 October, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK and Fortify Rights published a joint statement with 14 other organisations, calling on the European Union to urgently close a sanctions loophole that enables European companies to continue working on oil and gas projects in Burma/Myanmar. The statement also urged the Union to resume its policy of systematically sanctioning sources of revenue, arms, and equipment to the Burmese military on an ongoing basis.

 

GJC: ‘RECOGNIZING REPRODUCTIVE VIOLENCE WITHIN THE WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY AGENDA’

 

On 28 October, the Global Justice Center published a report, ‘Recognising reproductive violence within the women, peace and security agenda’ in collaboration with UN Women. The report analyzes the intersection of reproductive violence and the Women, Peace, and Security agenda and explains how the ‘Women, Peace, and Security agenda’ would benefit from more consistent, explicit attention to reproductive violence as a distinct harm.

BROUK: MALAYSIA MUST IMPLEMENT INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANT FOR MIN AUNG HLAING

 

On 7 October, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK released a statement calling on the Government of Malaysia to implement the international arrest warrant issued against Min Aung Hlaing by the Argentine Federal Court ahead of his visit to the country. Min Aung Hlaing is one of 25 individuals subject to international arrest warrants issued in February 2025 as part of the universal jurisdiction case initiated by BROUK concerning genocide and crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya between 2012 and 2017. According to Tun Khin (President, BROUK), “Arresting Min Aung Hlaing and extraditing him to Argentina is one of the most effective things Malaysia can do to start addressing the refugee crisis in the country. Ending Burmese military impunity is key to addressing the root causes of why refugees are forced to flee to Malaysia.”

 

FORTIFY RIGHTS: MALAYSIA MUST SUSPEND MYANMAR RETURNS, CANCEL MIN AUNG HLAING’S VISIT

 

On 6 October, Fortify Rights published a statement urging the Malaysian government to immediately suspend further returns of Myanmar nationals from immigration detention and cancel Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing’s planned visit to the country. In a letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, members of the Fortify Leadership Council urged the government to ensure independent assessments of detainees’ individual protection needs before any future returns and restore UNHCR’s access to all immigration detention facilities to ensure confidential interviews, legal assistance, interpreters, and an effective opportunity to challenge return decisions.

 

LAW CHAIRS A DISCUSSION ON ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE ROHINGYA

 

On 7 October, Antonia Mulvey (Founder and Executive Director, Legal Action Worldwide) chaired a discussion on accountability for the Rohingya at the 2026 Gender Justice in International Criminal Law Conference. The panel with Salai Za Uk Ling (Executive Director, Chin Human Rights Organization) and Yasmin Ullah (Executive Director, Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network) situated the ICJ proceedings and the upcoming judgment in The Gambia v. Myanmar within a broader landscape, examining how Myanmar-related accountability is being pursued beyond The Hague, including through universal jurisdiction filings in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste, the ongoing ICC proceedings and the case-building work of the IIMM, while spotlighting the practical and political challenges of investigating conflict-related sexual violence.

 

GCR2P: ‘ATROCITY RISKS RISE IN MYANMAR AMID ATTACKS IN RAKHINE STATE AND REPATRIATIONS’

 

On 14 October, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect published its Atrocity Alert No. 498 for Myanmar. highlighting airstrikes by Myanmar’s military on 28 September in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, which killed at least 50 civilians, and Malaysia’s return of 1,476 Myanmar nationals on 29 September as part of a broader repatriation initiative, in coordination with Myanmar’s military-backed authorities. The alert called upon ASEAN member states to uphold their obligations under international law, immediately suspend returns to Myanmar, and prioritize an end to attacks on civilians, unhindered humanitarian access, and accountability for atrocity crimes.

 

LAW: HEAD OF THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE MECHANISM FOR MYANMAR MEETS ROHINGYA SURVIVOR ADVOCATES

 

On 17 October, Nicholas Koumjian (Head, Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar) and Kaoru Okuizumi (Deputy Head, IIMM) met LAW’s Rohingya Survivor Advocates in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, to discuss the Mechanism’s work, ongoing accountability processes, and survivors’ contribution to international justice. They explored what the anticipated International Court of Justice  judgment in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘢 𝘷. 𝘔𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘮𝘢𝘳 could mean for the Rohingya community, alongside the importance of survivor participation in shaping the pursuit of justice. The exchange gave advocates an opportunity to share their communities’ questions, expectations, and hopes for the future.

 

GJC: ‘JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN MYANMAR - GENDER, PROSPECTS, REALITIES AND THE ROAD AHEAD’

 

On 28 October, the Global Justice Center, in collaboration with the Women's Peace Network, the Women's League of Burma, the Women Advocacy Coalition Myanmar, and the UN missions of Panama and Switzerland, hosted a panel event on ‘Justice and Accountability in Myanmar’ during Women, Peace, and Security Week at the United Nations. The panel discussion highlighted ongoing human rights abuses in Myanmar, particularly conflict-related sexual violence, and discussed potential avenues for gender-sensitive justice and accountability, including international justice mechanisms and universal jurisdiction efforts.

ICJ JUDGMENT IN THE GAMBIA V. MYANMAR SCHEDULED TO BE DELIVERED ON 19 NOVEMBER

 

The International Court of Justice will deliver its judgment in The Gambia v. Myanmar (Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide) case on 19 November 2026 (10:00 AM CET) in The Hague, Netherlands. The judgment will be streamed live on the Court's website/UN Web TV in English and French. Check here for the full press release.

 

AL JAZEERA: ‘PHILIPPINES EX-PRESIDENT DUTERTE FIT TO STAND TRIAL, ICC RULES’

 

On 8 October, Al Jazeera reported that the judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have found former Philippine President Rodrigo ⁠Duterte fit to stand trial and able to face charges of crimes against humanity related to the so-called “war on drugs” he waged while in office. The court said that independent medical experts had examined the 81-year-old’s health and concluded he was mentally fit to understand evidence and discuss his defence with his lawyers. The trial is scheduled to open on November 30. Check here for more practical information on Duterte’s trial.

 

BBC: ‘YOUNG MEN LIVE IN FEAR OF BEING SNATCHED OFF THE STREETS AND SOLD TO MYANMAR’S ARMY’

 

On 10 October, BBC News published a new investigation revealing how civilians are being abducted by Myanmar’s military and forced into military service. The investigation analyzes hundreds of missing-person advertisements posted on Facebook between 2021 and 2025. With the mandatory conscription law, it is observed that the military government has established a human supply chain to sustain its armed forces. International rights groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Fortify Rights have long alleged that Myanmar's military is, in effect, abducting civilians and forcing them into military service.

 

IIMM UPDATE TO THE UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE

 

On 27 October, Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, delivered an update on the progress of the Mechanism’s work to the UN General Assembly Third Committee. He noted that the situation in Myanmar has further deteriorated with a growing number of its people falling victim to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Myanmar military is increasingly relying on indiscriminate or targeted attacks – including by drones and paramotors – which hit civilians in their homes, hospitals, places of worship, displacement camps and schools. He reiterated that the mechanism is committed to building evidence to support future prosecutions and has collected videos, photographs, geospatial imagery, social media posts and financial records from over 1,600 sources, and more than 750 testimonies from witnesses.

UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON MYANMAR ADDRESSES UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE

 

On 27 October, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Ms. Kelley Currie, addressed UN Member States at the Third Committee. According to Currie, “Some member states want to ignore the heinous acts perpetrated by Min Aung Hlaing and those he commands. In launching his 100-day plan, Min Aung Hlaing railed against ASEAN's five-point consensus and lashed out at members of the grouping who insist on adhering to it…In addition to being feted in China, India, Russia, and Belarus, since April, he has traveled to half of ASEAN's member states and is reportedly in talks to visit two more. Outside the region, the US and others look to be following ASEAN's lead.”

 

‘UN EXPERT URGES MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT TO STOP REPATRIATION OF MYANMAR NATIONALS, DEPLORES MYANMAR MILITARY’S LATEST AIRSTRIKES TARGETING CIVILIANS’

 

On 1 October, Kelley E. Currie, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, urged Malaysian authorities to stop the ongoing repatriation of Myanmar nationals and work with the United Nations system and others to address the situation of Rohingya and other Myanmar refugees in the country in line with its obligations under international law. Kelly expressed grave concern that the Government of Malaysia has begun to return 5,000 Myanmar nationals, including women and children, under a so-called "voluntary repatriation programme” despite the risk of refoulement being substantial. She urged the Government of Malaysia to take note of the legal, humanitarian, and practical criteria required for voluntary repatriation and ensure the human rights of all Myanmar refugees in Malaysia are protected.

 

REUTERS: ‘ASEAN ENVOY MEETS MYANMAR MINISTER, DISCUSSES CIVIL WAR AND AID ACCESS’

 

On 30 October, Reuters reported that the Philippine ‌Foreign Secretary, Ma. Teresa Lazaro, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations envoy on Myanmar, met Myanmar's foreign minister during a visit to the country and discussed its ​civil war and humanitarian access. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar on ​Friday said Lazaro discussed ways to restore Myanmar's original role and rights within ASEAN. However, a statement from Lazaro's office on her trip made no mention of ​discussion of restoring Myanmar's role. Myanmar's government in August had previously stated that there ​was no longer a need for an ASEAN special envoy.