Initiated in November 2019 with backing from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the suit centers on widespread atrocities that drove over 700,000 Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh. Myanmar denies committing genocide, arguing its military was legitimately responding to attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army that left 12 security personnel dead. Although the judgment strictly determines state responsibility rather than individual criminal guilt, an adverse finding will intensify scrutiny on President Min Aung Hlaing, who commanded the 2017 operations before leading a military coup in 2021.
Key points
A verdict against Myanmar would represent the first time the International Court of Justi…: A verdict against Myanmar would represent the first time the International Court of Justice has formally held a state responsible for genocide.
The outcome could establish an influential legal precedent for other ongoing proceedings,…: The outcome could establish an influential legal precedent for other ongoing proceedings, including South Africa's genocide claim against Israel.
An unfavorable ruling will amplify global diplomatic pressure against Min Aung Hlaing, wh…: An unfavorable ruling will amplify global diplomatic pressure against Min Aung Hlaing, who directed the 2017 military campaign and subsequently seized power in a 2021 coup.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule on whether Myanmar committed genocide against the Rohingya, in a judgment that could see the court hold a state responsible for genocide for the first time.
Officials announced on Tuesday that the court's president, Judge Yuji Iwasawa, would read the judgment at a public sitting at the Peace Palace in The Hague at 10am local time on 19 November.
The ruling will be final and binding, with no right of appeal.
Several governments have already described the violence as genocide, including the US and Canada.
Legal experts say they expect the outcome to have consequences for other ICJ cases involving allegations of genocide, most pressingly South Africa's case against Israel over its war against Palestinians in Gaza, where the confirmed death toll has reached almost 75,000 people.
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