AJC SUBMISSION TO SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON INDEPENDENCE OF JUDGES AND LAWYERS

On 9 May,  the Asia Justice Coalition secretariat responded to a call for input by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. The submission argues that prioritising women’s leadership in international law is central to achieve equal and effective justice for all and to “build effective, accountable and inclusive [legal] institutions at all levels”, as stated in Sustainable Developmental Goal 16.

AJAR: OPEN LETTER TO ASEAN LEADERS: MOVE BEYOND THE FIVE-POINT CONSENSUS TO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS THE CRISIS IN MYANMAR

On 2 May, Asia Justice and Rights co-wrote a joint open letter calling on the regional bloc to review and revise the Five Point Consensus for effective implementation. The letter urges ASEAN to immediately move away from the Five-Point Consensus and create a more robust and tangible action to stop the military junta’s violence and atrocity crimes.

AI: ‘FOLLOW ‘LONG OVERDUE’ PARDONS BY RELEASING ALL THOSE UNJUSTLY DETAINED’

On 3 May, Amnesty International called on the Myanmar military to immediately release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained for exercising their basic rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly or other human rights and should be provided with the necessary medical, psychological and social support to help them recover from their ordeal.

FORTIFY RIGHTS, BHRN: ‘LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLING FOR SANCTIONS ON COMPANIES SUPPLYING THE BURMESE MILITARY WITH JET FUEL’

On 4 May, in the backdrop of the Burmese military’s intentional targeting of civilians on April 11, AJC members Fortify Rights and Burma Human Rights Network and 190+ CSOs called on President Biden to take and coordinate action immediately and implement harsher sanctions that will effectively hold the military junta accountable and cut off its fuel and weaponry supply.

AJC PUBLISHED A PRIMER ON DOMESTIC JUSTICE FOR ATROCITY CRIMES

On 18 May, the Asia Justice Coalition published a primer which addresses domestic justice for atrocity crimes. This primer serves as an easy-to-understand explainer of how atrocity crimes could be tried before national courts, and how such an investigation and prosecution of crimes differ from and is preferred over that of the International Criminal Court.

HRW: ‘MYANMAR’S PRISONER RELEASE STILL LEAVES THOUSANDS DETAINED’

On 6 May, ahead of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, Human Rights Watch called on the regional bloc to press the military junta for the release of all political prisoners, an end to abuses against the junta’s critics, and the return of Myanmar to civilian democratic rule.

BHRN: SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF BURMA, RECOGNISE THE LEGITIMATE NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT

On 10 May, Burma Human Rights Network called on ASEAN to publicly acknowledge the NUG as the legitimate government of Myanmar, and engage with it, alongside representatives of Ethnic Resistance Organisations (EROs) and Myanmar civil society, on all issues. BHRN also urged Indonesia to immediately announce the appointment and establish a clear mandate for the ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar grounded in human rights, justice, and accountability. The envoy should be accountable to ASEAN leaders and foreign ministers instead of the incumbent ASEAN Chair.

HRW: ‘BANGLADESH: NEW RISKS FOR ROHINGYA REFUGEES’

On 18 May, Human Rights Watch called on Bangladesh to uphold its policy of not forcing Rohingya refugees to return to Myanmar under current conditions, and on Donor governments to help ease this difficult situation by supporting Bangladesh to create opportunities for Rohingya to learn and work so that they’re better prepared to go home when that day comes. According to HRW, ‘Bangladesh and Myanmar are organizing returns of [over 1,100] Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar’s Rakhine State without consulting the community or addressing the grave risks to their lives and liberty’.

BHRN, BROUK: URGENT HUMANITARIAN AID FOR MYANMAR POST CYCLONE MOCHA

On 17 May, Burma Human Rights Network and the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK called on the international community to immediately dispatch aid for areas affected by Cyclone Mocha, and act urgently to reach survivors with medical and humanitarian aid. According to AJC members, the Cyclone has already claimed hundreds of lives and caused widespread destruction. The military junta is actively blocking and delaying humanitarian aid.

HRW: 'ENHANCED BLAST STRIKE LIKELY WAR CRIME'

On 9 May, Human Rights Watch called on ASEAN and the UN Security Council to reconsider their toothless approaches to Myanmar’s junta and take stronger measures, including cutting off cash flows, adopting an arms embargo, referring Myanmar to the International Criminal Court, and imposing targeted sanctions on junta leadership and military-owned companies. On reviewing photographs and videos of the victim’s bodies and weapons, HRW confirmed the initial strike was conducted with a thermobaric enhanced-blast weapon which is prone to indiscriminate use when used in populated areas.

BROUK: REPORT ON ‘PREVENTABLE DEATHS IN CYCLONE MOCHA AND THE ROHINGYA GENOCIDE’

On 25 May, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK released a new report entitled "Preventable Deaths in Cyclone Mocha and the Rohingya Genocide" documenting the continued defiance by the Myanmar military of the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice. The report was released during a panel discussion with AJC members Tun Khin (BROUK), Akila Radhakrishnan (Global Justice Center), and Arsalan Suleman Suleiman (Counsel, Foley Hoag), Naw Hser Hser (Karen Women's Organisation), and Erin Rosenberg (Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights).

AI: 'ROHINGYA REPARATIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS MUST TOP META SHAREHOLDERS AGENDA'

On 29 May, Amnesty International called on Meta shareholders to utilise the shareholder meeting (31 May) to demand that Meta’s leadership fulfils its responsibility under international human rights standards to provide reparations to the Rohingya. According to Amnesty, ‘in the months and years leading up to the atrocities, Facebook’s algorithms were intensifying a storm of hatred against the Rohingya, which contributed to mass offline violence’.

GJC: BLOGPOST ON THE CAH & MLA TREATY

AJC member Akila Radhakrishnan (President, Global Justice Center) co-authored a blogpost calling on the States to adopt both the draft treaty on Crimes Against Humanity and the Mutual Legal Assistance.

AJC SECRETARIAT PARTICIPATION IN THE MLA DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE

The Asia Justice Coalition secretariat participated in the MLA Diplomatic Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia as an observer civil society organisation (15 - 26 May 2023). On 15 May, Dr Priya Pillai, secretariat head, spoke at the opening ceremony of the Conference. The full text of the speech is available here. Alternatively, watch the video here (see about 1:14:00). To know more about AJC's engagement and participation at the MLA Conference, check here.

AJC WELCOMES THE ADOPTION OF THE LJUBLJANA – HAGUE CONVENTION

On 29 May, the AJC secretariat welcomes the adoption of an international treaty concerning inter-State cooperation on atrocity crimes. The AJC secretariat commends the strategic and unified role of civil society organisations prior to, and at the negotiations to ensure the adoption of a robust treaty to end impunity for atrocity crimes. Previously, on 23 May, the AJC secretariat released an update from the MLA Diplomatic Conference.

AJC: BACKGROUNDER ON MLA TREATY

On 15 May, the AJC secretariat published a backgrounder on the Draft Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty capturing the importance and the relevance of the treaty to the region and Asian States.

AJC MLA CONVENTION ADVOCACY VIDEOS

AJC secretariat released three videos as a part of its advocacy campaign focused on the MLA Convention. Three members of the Asia Justice Coalition addressed different questions about the MLA Convention: Pavani Bhat (Fortify Rights), Hugo Relva (Amnesty), and Raquel Saavedra (ICJ).

AI and ICJ WELCOMES THE ADOPTION OF THE MLA CONVENTION

Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists welcomed the adoption of this new convention on international cooperation on atrocity crimes on 26 and 31 May respectively. The treaty, if widely ratified, stands to reduce the incidence of impunity of perpetrators, many of whom currently find safe haven in States around the world when authorities fail to prosecute them or extradite them for prosecution in another jurisdiction.

FORTIFY RIGHTS: JOIN AND SUPPORT NEW TREATY TO COMBAT IMPUNITY FOR MASS ATROCITIES

On 17 May, Fortify Rights called on ASEAN and other U.N. Member States to join and support a new landmark international treaty (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) designed to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

STATEMENT BY SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON EXTREME POVERTY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

On 29 May, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Mr. Olivier De Schutter released his end of Bangladesh mission statement. According to him, ‘the response of the international donors has been largely insufficient: at the time the visit took place, only 17% of the appeal (launched in March) had been responded to. The cut in food ratios, undernutrition and malnutrition will increase, translating into higher stunting rates for children’. He called on the Bangladesh government to allow the Rohingya to pursue income-generating activities.

DHAKA TRIBUNE: ‘ROHINGYA CASE: OIC SECRETARY GENERAL SEEKS SUPPORT FROM MEMBER STATES’

On 28 May, the Dhaka Tribune reported that during his visit to Bangladesh, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha urged the UN Member States to do more and help The Gambia with funds to run the case in the International Court of Justice on Rohingya genocide.

WFP: ‘ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN BANGLADESH FACE GRIM CHOICES AS MORE CUTS TO FOOD ASSISTANCE IMMINENT’

On 26 May, the United Nations World Food Programme announced another massive cut to its food vouchers for the Rohingya in the refugee camps due to funding shortfalls. In March 2023, WFP already cut its food vouchers from US$ 12 to US$ 10 per person per month. Now, it will be further reduced to US $8 in June 2023.

‘ICC PROSECUTOR KARIM A.A. KHAN KC ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF ADVANCED EVIDENCE SUBMISSION PLATFORM: OTPLINK’

On 24 May, International Criminal Court Prosecutor Mr Karim Khan announced the launch of OTPLink, a new application for online and email-based evidence submissions by all external stakeholders and witnesses to his Office. As per the press release, ‘OTPLink will provide a clear, single-access point, replacing various systems and processes that were previously in use for the receipt of information, including submissions pursuant to Article 15 of the Rome Statute.’

‘UN RIGHTS EXPERT EXPOSES $1 BILLION ‘DEATH TRADE’ IN ARMS FOR MYANMAR MILITARY’

On 17 May, Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar released a new report entitled 'The Billion Dollar Death Trade: International Arms Networks that Enable Human Rights Violations in Myanmar'. The report documents the import of arms and raw materials to manufacture weapons of at least $1 billion to Myanmar by the UN Member States.

ASEAN CHAIR STATEMENT ON THE 42^nd SUMMIT

On 11 May, the ASEAN Chairman released his statement on the 42^nd Summit. On Myanmar, ASEAN reiterated their unified position that the Five-Point Consensus remains their main reference. ASEAN supported the Chair’s continued engagement with all stakeholders in Myanmar to find a peaceful and durable solution, that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led, to create a conducive environment for facilitating an inclusive national dialogue.

ICJ ACCEPTS MYANMAR’S REQUEST FOR MEMORIAL SUBMISSION EXTENSION

On 12 May, the International Court of Justice further extended the deadline for Myanmar to submit its Counter-Memorial in The Gambia v.  Myanmar case to 24 August 2023. Previously, the Court had fixed 24 May 2023 as the time limit by rejecting Myanmar's request for a 10-month extension.

ICC TO HOLD FIFTH ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF THE HAGUE

International Criminal Court will host its 5th Asia Pacific Forum on 9 June 2023 on the theme 'Making Impact in Creating Access to Justice at the Local, National and International level'. The online webinar will be conducted in English. Registration is open until 8 June.