AJC TOOLKIT ON JUSTICE AVENUES FOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMES

On 10 December, Asia Justice Coalition released its Toolkit on Justice Avenues for International Crimes. The Toolkit provides a look at available avenues for CSO engagement within the international legal sphere. It includes easy-to-read overviews of United Nations Fact-Finding Missions and International Investigative Mechanisms, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, & the use of Universal Jurisdiction. This Toolkit is intended to assist interested parties to decide for themselves, and then to engage with, the most appropriate international justice mechanisms or avenue(s) available and relevant to their context.

AJC UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION CONVENING SERIES

BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES: CIVIL SOCIETY AND UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION

On 16 December, Asia Justice Coalition released the Convening Note of the First Universal Jurisdiction Convening held from 26 - 28 October 2021. The Convening was a closed-door workshop that brought together a diverse group of experts with experience related to civil society actors that have promoted or pursued universal jurisdiction matters. The convening included context case studies from South Africa, Syria, and Nepal and discipline case studies including open-source investigation and litigating torture.

FORTIFY RIGHTS CALL ON BANGLADESH GOVT. TO ENSURE FREE MOVEMENT AND PROTECT ROHINGYA

On 20 December, Fortify Rights called on the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the right to freedom of movement, education, and protection for Rohingya refugees. Previously, on 15 December, it released the unpublished MoU signed between the Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and the UNHCR with Rohingya translation.

HRW CONDEMNS BANGLADESH GOVT. CLOSURE OF REFUGEE SCHOOLS

On 18 December, HRW called for an urgent reversal of the 13 December decision by the Bangladeshi government to shut down thousands of home-based and community-led schools that could potentially impact over 30,000 Rohingya refugee students. According to the statement, the move by the government ‘violates the right to education on a massive scale’.

ICJ: THE FUTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS – TWENTY RECOMMENDATIONS

On 15 December, the International Commission of Jurists and the Kingdom of the Netherlands launched a 12-page report containing 20 recommendations on the future of accountability mechanisms in the global fight against impunity for serious human rights violations and abuses.

HRW & AI: MYANMAR MILITARY BLOCKS LIFESAVING AID

On 13 December, Human Rights Watch reported that Myanmar’s military is blocking urgently needed humanitarian aid from reaching millions of displaced people and exacerbating the self-created humanitarian catastrophe. Later, on 17 December, Amnesty International also released a statement documenting the Myanmar military’s systematic attempts to starve people and prevent them from accessing health care.

LAW & FORTIFY RIGHTS: ASP20 SIDE EVENT ON MYANMAR

On 7 December, Legal Action Worldwide and Fortify Rights hosted a panel discussion on international justice for Myanmar. The discussion was chaired by Chris Gunness (Director, Myanmar Accountability Project) and included opening remarks from Hasina Begum (Rohingya representative from the camps in Cox’s Bazar) and Professor Payam Akhavan (International Court of Justice Counsel to The Gambia, Specialist Advisor on Genocide to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor). The panel comprised: Wai Wai Nu (WPN), Chris Sidoti (SAC-M), Matt Smith (Fortify Rights), and Antonia Mulvey (LAW).

ICJ: HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO PLACES OF WORSHIP IN MYANMAR

On 24 December, the International Commission of Jurists published a paper examining the right of access to places of worship in Myanmar. The paper identifies the political, legal and administrative obstacles that prevent full enjoyment of the right, and highlights the governing international legal framework.

UN SPECIAL ENVOY CALLS FOR A NEW YEAR’S CEASEFIRE

The UN special envoy for Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer delivered her first New Year message to the Myanmar populace and appealed for a ceasefire. She urged all parties to ‘fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians, ensure free movement towards safety when needed, and allow humanitarian assistance’.

AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND PRESIDENT WIN MYINT CONVICTED BY MYANMAR COURT

On 6 December, Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint were found guilty of inciting public unrest and breaching Covid-19 restrictions and sentenced to four years in prison. Later that day, the military reduced the sentences of both Suu Kyi and Win Myint to two years. The conviction was met with widespread condemnation from the US, EU, Japan, UN Human Rights Commissioner, and Special Rapporteur, and AJC members like, Amnesty International and HRW.

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS IN KAREN STATE

On 25 December, a joint statement by the representatives of over 17 countries condemned the military attack on the civilians and the shelling of the villages by the Myanmar forces in the Karen State. It called on the Myanmar junta ‘to immediately cease its indiscriminate attacks in Karen State and throughout the country, and to ensure the safety of all civilians in line with international law’. The UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews expressed his concerns regarding the large internal displacement and called for stronger targeted sanctions and a global arms embargo.

UNSC CONDEMNS THE KILLINGS IN KAYAH STATE

On 24 December, at least 35 people, including four children and two staff of Save the Children, were killed in Kayah State by the Myanmar military. The UN Security Council condemned the killings and called for ‘immediate cessation of all violence’. The killings were condemned by the UN Special Rapporteur, US, EU and UNHCR, UNICEF, OCHA amongst others. Earlier, on 8 December, UN Secretary-General condemned the killing and burning of 11 people in Salingyi Township in the north-west Sagaing region.

UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR’S FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO BANGLADESH

UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews visited Bangladesh from 13 – 19 December and met with refugees in Cox's Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh as well as some of those relocated to Bhasan Char Island. He called on the Bangladesh government to ensure security, educational opportunity, access to health care, freedom of movement of refugees in Bhasan Char, and a safe sustainable, and voluntary return to Myanmar.

US, UK, AND CANADA IMPOSED SANCTIONS AGAINST MYANMAR

On 10 December, Reuters reported that the United States government imposed extensive human rights-related sanctions on dozens of people and entities tied to Myanmar. Canada and the United Kingdom placed sanctions against Myanmar as well.

META TO BAN MYANMAR MILITARY-CONTROLLED BUSINESS

On 8 December, Reuters reported that Facebook (now Meta) has announced that it has decided to ban all Myanmar military-controlled businesses from its social network. The decision follows the earlier put ban on military-related entities from advertising on its platforms.

ROHINGYA GROUP SUES FACEBOOK FOR $150bn BEFORE CALIFORNIA COURT

On 7 December, BBC reported that a fresh petition has been filed in the US Court by the Rohingya refugee group suing Facebook for $150bn for promoting disinformation and the alleged failure by the social network to prevent hate speech and violence against the minority in Myanmar.