Archive · 12 Jan 2026
ICJ Begins Hearings on Myanmar Rohingya Genocide Case
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is starting three weeks of hearings to decide if Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya Muslims.
The case was brought by The Gambia, which says Myanmar's army did bad things like killing, raping, and burning homes.
Many Rohingya people fled to Bangladesh and are living in big, crowded camps.
Myanmar says it was just fighting against some Rohingya who were causing trouble.
The ICJ already said Myanmar should stop any bad actions, and a final decision could take a long time.
The hearings are important because they might show how the court deals with similar cases in the future.
Rohingya victims are hoping for justice, and the outcome could affect other cases, like South Africa's case against Israel.
The ICJ is holding three weeks of hearings to determine if Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya Muslims.
The case was brought by The Gambia, accusing Myanmar of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention during a 2017 crackdown.
Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh, with 1.17 million living in camps in Cox's Bazar.
Myanmar maintains that its actions were justified to combat Rohingya insurgents.
The ICJ has already ordered Myanmar to halt any acts prohibited by the Genocide Convention.
- Who
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ), The Gambia, Myanmar, Rohingya Muslims
- What
- Hearings on whether Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya Muslims
- When
- Starting today, lasting three weeks
- Where
- International Court of Justice in The Hague
- Why
- To determine if Myanmar breached the 1948 Genocide Convention during a 2017 crackdown
Gambia and Rohingya Victims
Myanmar
Nature of the 2017 Crackdown
Gambia and Rohingya Victims
Gambia argues that Myanmar targeted Rohingya Muslims for destruction, subjecting them to horrific violence and genocide.
Myanmar
Myanmar maintains that its actions were a legitimate counter-terrorism campaign against Rohingya insurgents.
ICJ Case and Accountability
Gambia and Rohingya Victims
Gambia and Rohingya victims seek justice and a ruling that Myanmar committed genocide.
Myanmar
Myanmar rejects the accusations, calling them incomplete and misleading, and denies committing genocide.
- Case Brought By
- The Gambia
- Year of Crackdown
- 2017
- Hearing Duration
- Three weeks
- ICJ Provisional Measures
- Myanmar must halt acts prohibited by the 1948 Genocide Convention
- US Declaration
- Declared genocide in 2022
- Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
- 1.17 million
- Myanmar's Defense
- Crackdown was justified to root out Rohingya insurgents
- ICJ Significance
- First full genocide case in over a decade, with repercussions for other cases
- Rohingya Victims' Testimonies
- Closed sessions for sensitivity and privacy
- Myanmar's Political Situation
- Military rule since 2021, criticized elections
