AJC PUBLISHED A PRIMER ON GENOCIDE

AJC's fourth publication in our series of primers for international accountability in Asia addresses genocide. This primer serves as a brief but concise explainer on what constitutes genocide, how it differs from other international crimes, who can get convicted for the crime of genocide, and state responsibility for genocide.

AJC SECRETARIAT PUBLICATIONS

On 20 January, AJC secretariat head Dr. Priya Pillai got profiled by the ATLAS focusing on her two decades of legal experience. She shared how Asia Justice Coalition was conceptualised and its vision to the readers. On 19 January, Dr. Pillai wrote for The Hindu on the international obligations on India vis-à-vis the Genocide Convention.

CIVIL SOCIETY PROTESTS AGAINST HUN SEN’s VISIT TO MYANMAR

On January 7 -8, the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the new Chair of ASEAN, visited Myanmar despite internal opposition from several ASEAN members. The visit triggered a nationwide protest in Myanmar. AJC members AJAR, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, BROUK, Burma Human Rights Network called for the cancelation of his visit and non-legitimisation of the military junta.

ICJ CALLS FOR TRIAL AGAINST AUNG SAN SUU KYI TO BE QUASHED

On 10 January, a military court in Myanmar convicted and sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi for a further four years imprisonment for ‘illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkie radios and violating COVID-19 restriction’. The International Commission of Jurists called out the sham proceedings that are in complete violation of international standards for fair judicial processes. On 17 January, the Myanmar junta added five more corruption charges against the former State Counsellor.

BROUK PUBLISHES THE LEAKED MILITARY MEMO CALLING FOR NON-COOPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL COURTS

On 14 January, BROUK published the leaked memorandum passed by the Myanmar military ordering its judicial system to not cooperate with any order issued by the International Criminal Court and the Argentine judiciary. It further bars people from forwarding any message on social networks.

AI: WORLD MUST ACT NOW TO PREVENT ANOTHER YEAR OF INTOLERABLE ‘DEATH AND MISERY’

On 27 January, Amnesty International ahead of the one-year anniversary of the February 2021 coup in Myanmar, called on the international community to act urgently to put an end to the grave human rights violations committed by the Myanmar military.

BROUK CALLS ON US AND FRENCH PRESIDENTS TO IMPOSE GAS SANCTIONS

On 20 January, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK called on President Biden (USA) and President Macron (France) to impose sanctions on American and French gas extraction projects involving Chevron and TotalEnergies that contributes revenues to the junta-controlled Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).

280+ CSOs CALL ON UN SECURITY COUNCIL FOR URGENT MYANMAR SESSION

On 24 January, over 280+ civil society organisations called on UNSC to convene an open meeting and address the deteriorating humanitarian situation and urgent civilian protection concerns in Myanmar. AJC members Amnesty International, Burma Human Rights Network, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Fortify Rights, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, Global Justice Center signed the letter.

HRW CALLED FOR AN URGENT ACTION TO BLOCK FOREIGN REVENUE

On 25 January, Human Rights Watch called on the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, and other concerned governments to impose new targeted sanctions to block foreign currency payments to the junta-owned and controlled businesses. Previously, on 21 January, HRW welcomed the decision of French-based TotalEnergies and US-based Chevron to withdraw their gas projects from Myanmar.

FORTIFY RIGHTS CALLS ON SECURITY COUNCIL TO IMPOSE A GLOBAL ARMS EMBARGO

On 28 January, Fortify Rights called on UNSC to urgently pass a global arms embargo to prohibit the sale of weapons and dual-use technology to the Myanmar military junta.

HRW: MYANMAR: YEAR OF

BRUTALITY IN COUP’S WAKE

On 28 January, Human Rights Watch, in the run-up to the one-year anniversary of the Myanmar coup, called on concerned governments, including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan, to impose sanctions and block the junta’s access to foreign revenues from oil, gas, and other extractives. It further called on UN Security Council to pass a global arms embargo and refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court.

FORTIFY RIGHTS CALLS ON BANGLADESH GOVT. TO STOP INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER OF ROHINGYA REFUGEES

On 30 January, Fortify Rights called on the Bangladesh government to prevent coercive and involuntary transfers of Rohingya refugees from mainland camps to the isolated and flood-prone island of Bhasan Char. The Government of Bangladesh reportedly relocated more than 1,000 Rohingya refugees on December 18, 2021, and January 6, 2022.

THE GAMBIA V. MYANMAR: PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS HEARING AT THE ICJ

On 19 January, the International Court of Justice has announced the dates for the public hearings in The Gambia v. Myanmar case. The Court will hear the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar from 21 – 28 February 2022 in a hybrid format.

UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR CALLS TO HALT ATTACK IN LOIKAW TOWNSHIP

On 9 January, UN Special Rapporteur for Myanmar Tom Andrews called on the Myanmar junta to halt its airstrikes and artillery attack on the Loikaw township of the Kayah State. He further sought military blockades to be lifted to allow people to flee and humanitarian aid to come in.

UNICEF CONDEMNS THE RISING ATTACKS ON CHILDREN IN MYANMAR

On 11 January, UNICEF condemned the killing of at least four children and the reported use of airstrikes and heavy weaponry in civilian areas. The escalation of conflict in Myanmar’s Chin State, Loikaw (Kayah State), Hpa An (Kayin State), and Namkham (Shan State) resulted in the death and maiming of multiple children.

OCHA JANUARY UPDATE ON SOUTH-EAST MYANMAR

On 13 January, OCHA released its flash update on the escalating violence in South-East Myanmar, especially in Kayah and Kayin States. As of 10 January, 181,400 people remain internally displaced in southeast Myanmar, and over 320,000 people have been displaced since the 2021 February coup.

UNSG SPECIAL ENVOY CALLED ON THAILAND & CAMBODIAN PM

On 17 January, UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Ms. Noeleen Heyzer called upon the Prime Minister of Thailand and urged immediate action and cooperation to prevent further deterioration of the situation of Myanmar. Similarly, on 13 January, the Special Envoy called on the Cambodian PM and urged immediate action in Myanmar. Ms. Heyzer, in both the meetings, pushed for effective implementation of the ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and proposed a joint UN-ASEAN ‘humanitarian plus’ effort to coordinate and deliver assistance to affected communities.

THE GUARDIAN: AUSTRALIA’S WOODSIDE PETROLEUM TO EXIT MYANMAR

On 27 January, The Guardian reported that Australia’s Woodside Petroleum has announced its exit from Myanmar due to rising human rights violations and abuses against the civilians since the military coup in 2021.

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR AN URGENT RESPONSE ON MYANMAR

On 30 January, UN Secretary-General, to mark the one-year coup anniversary, expressed his solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations for an inclusive society and the protection of all communities, including the Rohingya.

UNCHR CALLS ON THAI AUTHORITIES TO TRANSFER REFUGEES TO A SAFER LOCATION

On 20 January, the UNHCR called on the Government of Thailand to transfer the group of refugees being sheltered in the ‘temporary safety area’ in Mae Sot, Tak Province, to another location where they can access safer and more dignified temporary accommodation and receive improved humanitarian assistance. The UNCHR continues to express its readiness to assist the Thai authorities but calls for access to the refugee population.