The case, filed by The Gambia on November 11, 2019, alleges that Myanmar’s military and other entities have violated the 1948 Genocide Convention through their actions against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State since 2016.
Maldives has submitted its statement to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case filed by The Gambia against Myanmar over atrocities committed against Rohingya Muslims.
The case, filed by The Gambia on November 11, 2019, alleges that Myanmar’s military and other entities have violated the 1948 Genocide Convention through their actions against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State since 2016.
Maldives announced its decision to intervene in February 2020 at the UN Human Rights Council meeting, joining six other nations in supporting the case.
The ICJ approved the Maldives’ Declaration of Intervention in February last year, inviting the country to submit written observations.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Maldives' observations focus on the interpretation of key provisions of the Genocide Convention, particularly the "duty to punish genocide" as outlined in Articles 1, 4, 5, and 6.
Maldives reaffirmed its commitment to seeking justice for Rohingya Muslims and ensuring the full implementation of the Genocide Convention.
Maldives has taken a stance against Myanmar’s actions in the past, severing all trade relations with the country in 2017 in response to the atrocities against Rohingya Muslims and also co-sponsored multiple resolutions on the matter at the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.
Currently, about one million Rohingya refugees live in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh after fleeing Myanmar’s military crackdown in 2017.
An estimated 600,000 Rohingya remain in Rakhine State, where they continue to face severe persecution, including restrictions on movement, limited access to food, healthcare, education, and employment.
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