The United States has shared information with The Gambia in connection with the case the latter brought forward against Myanmar under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over atrocities committed against the Rohingyas. "We stand ready to support a holistic transitional justice process to address the long history of atrocities once such a process becomes viable to respect the demands of victims and survivors for truth, reparation, justice, and non-recurrence," US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, said. Acknowledging the genocide as the first step, not the last, she said, all must take the next steps together to bring an end to the violence and prevent the recurrence of atrocities.   Further delay in commencing Rohingya repatriation may put entire region at risk: Bangladesh Govt Zeya was speaking on the occasion of six years since the start of the horrific genocide against Rohingyas, said the US Department of State.  She thanked members of the Rohingya diaspora who joined in. "I applaud your resilience in the face of ongoing persecution," she said. Over the course of 2016 and 2017, Myanmar’s military brutally attacked Rohingya communities.   Systematic acts of violence, including torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and mass killings led to largescale displacement and loss of thousands of innocent lives.   The Myanmar military targeted one of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in the country, forcing over 740,000 Rohingyas to seek refuge in Bangladesh. The rippling impact of those attacks continues today, six years later.  Help us return home in Myanmar, Rohingyas appeal Bangladesh hosts over a million Rohingya refugees, with significant numbers seeking refuge in nearby countries.   Many more remain internally displaced in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.   "During my visit to Bangladesh in July, I met with Rohingya refugees, who shared personal stories of the horrific violence they and their families endured in Burma and the fear of continued persecution that prevents their return," Zeya said. The gradual loss of rights, citizenship, homes, and even their lives in the years leading up to the 2016-2017 outbreak of atrocities made clear that the regime sought to destroy Rohingya communities based on a false, discriminatory narrative of ethnic and religious differences.   This false narrative attempts to obscure the fact that Rohingyas have been an integral part of Myanmar society for generations. "We are unwavering in our commitment to provide assistance to survivors and victims, seek accountability for those responsible, and pursue justice for the survivors and victims," Zeya said. US to pursue justice for Rohingyas and all people of Myanmar: Blinken In terms of providing assistance, the United States is the leading single donor of life-saving humanitarian assistance to this cause.   They have provided more than $2.1 billion to assist those affected by the crisis in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in the region since 2017.   Recognizing that Rohingyas cannot safely return to their homeland in Myanmar under current conditions, she said, resettlement is another important way in which we contribute.   Since 2009, the United States has warmly welcomed nearly 13,000 Rohingyas from the region, including from Bangladesh. "Our work is not just humanitarian, we also must move towards accountability," Zeya said.   6th Year of Rohingya Influx: Groups seek justice for 'ethnic genocide' in Myanmar  The US also provides support to the UN’s Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, which has a mandate to collect, consolidate, preserve, and analyze evidence of the most serious international crimes and violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011.   US support includes providing the mechanism with $2 million of funding to strengthen its ability to conduct open-source investigations and to protect witnesses and victims. "We are not alone in seeking accountability. On Wednesday, we joined 12 other nations on the UN Security Council in a joint statement calling out the continued, unrelenting violence perpetrated by the military regime," Zeya said.   This statement called on the regime to restore the rights of the Rohingyas. On Wednesday, the United States expanded its Myanmar-related sanctions on authorities to include any foreign individual or entity operating in the jet fuel sector of Myanmar’s economy and designated two individuals and three entities under this authority.   This expansion follows US sanction actions already taken this year that designated Burma’s Ministry of Defense, its two largest regime-controlled banks, the Ministry of Energy, and other individual military-affiliated cronies.  Zeya said they will continue to use their sanctions authorities to deprive the military regime of the resources that enable it to oppress its people and urge others to take similar accountability measures. Sixth year of genocidal attacks against Rohingya:  A UN expert demands accountability for the violence "Justice for victims is also crucial. The United States coordinates with international partners and NGOs to support the Rohingya courageously seeking justice in the courts of Argentina for the atrocities committed against them," she said. Zeya said they are actively working with civil society and members of the Rohingya community to document the atrocities and other abuses committed against them.   Secretary Blinken’s determination in March 2022 that members of Myanmar’s military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against Rohingya was a historic occasion.   This marked only the eighth time the United States has come to such a critical conclusion, she said.  "We must take into account the needs of survivors, including creating the conditions to enable refugees’ safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return. We must address the military’s continued impunity for human rights abuses. And, we must support the fight for justice for those who have suffered," Zeya said.   The US official said, "Taking these steps is how we can ensure a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Myanmar that respects the human rights of all."

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha has expressed concern over itsinsufficient funding for the Rohingya case.  Appreciating the support of Member States for the Rohingya case, he assured that OIC will continue to encourage them to contribute funds for the Rohingya case filed by The Gambia in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The OIC Secretary General reiterated OIC’s relentless support in resolving the Rohingya crisis, while visiting the Rohingya Camps in Cox’s Bazar on Monday (May 29, 2023).  Mentioning the Rohingya issue as an important agenda of OIC, the OIC Secretary General highlighted OIC’s firm support to The Gambia led initiative of taking legal recourse for ensuring justice for the forcibly displaced Rohingya people from Myanmar at the ICJ. Read more: UN agencies face funding challenges in feeding Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, official says He said the OIC is also working at the international level for ensuring sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, to Myanmar, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Recognizing the government and people of Bangladesh’s immense generosity shown to the large number of forcibly displaced Rohingya from Myanmar, the OIC Secretary General underscored that burden-sharing is crucial to solve this long-standing crisis, and appealed to the international community to take more responsibility to ensure favourable conditions for the safe, dignified and sustainable return of all Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar. The OIC Secretary General and his entourage visited Rohingya camps in Kutupalong, Cox’s Bazar.  Read more: Rohingyas to get better future only when they return to Myanmar: Momen The Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) welcomed him in the Rohingya Camp in Cox’s Bazar. During his visit to the Rohingya camps, the OIC Secretary General exchanged views with the representatives from the Rohingya community.  The Rohingya representatives apprised him of their strong desire to return to their ancestral home safely.  The OIC Secretary General took note of their concerns and assured them of OIC’s support to continue to work closely with Bangladesh to end this humanitarian crisis. Read more: Dhaka, Beijing review Rohingya repatriation effort

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha has urged the member states to do more and help The Gambia with funds to run the case in the International Court of Justice on Rohingya genocide. "We call upon all OIC member states to join them in this case and give support to this fund created by OIC. This case is a top priority for us," the OIC Secretary General told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday (May 28, 2023). He said the Gambia is not a big or rich country but there are lots of efforts from them. Also read: OIC Secretary General in Dhaka; to meet PM Sunday Foreign Minister Momen said said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, OIC Secretary General and the President of Gambia sent a joint letter to themember states recently seeking support for the fund created by the OIC. He said the OIC delegation will visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. "They (OIC) have taken a leading role. Tomorrow they will visit the Rohingya camps," Momen said, adding that they discussed the Rohingya crisis and the necessity of unity among the Muslims. The OIC Secretary General said in fact Bangladesh is a very important country for the OIC member states. Read more: OIC members must share responsibility for sustainable solution to Rohingya crisis: Momen "Rohingya is one of the top priority issues for OIC," he said, adding that they discussed the issues to maintain peace stability and development in the member states. "We are here to convey our thanks for the tremendous efforts done by Bangladesh government. These Rohingya people are suffering. They deserve peace, security and better life," said Hissein Brahim. During the visit, the OIC Secretary General will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina later this evening. As the Chancellor of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), the OIC Secretary General will join the 35th Convocation of the IUT to be held on May 30, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read more: Momen urges PUIC delegation to work for repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

The United Nations' highest court is ruling Friday on whether to proceed with a landmark case that accuses Myanmar's rulers of genocide against the country's mainly Muslim Rohingya minority. The International Court of Justice is set to deliver its decision on Myanmar's claims that the Hague-based court does not have jurisdiction and that the case filed by the tiny African nation of Gambia in 2019 is inadmissible. If judges reject Myanmar's objections, they will set the stage for court hearings airing evidence of atrocities against the Rohingya that rights groups and a U.N. probe say amount to breaches of the 1948 Genocide Convention. In March, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that violent repression of the Rohingya population in Myanmar amounts to genocide. Amid international outrage at the treatment of the Rohingya, Gambia filed the case with the world court alleging that Myanmar is breaching the genocide convention. The nation argued that both Gambia and Myanmar are parties to the convention and that all signatories have a duty to ensure it is enforced. Also read: Dhaka urges Jakarta to do more for repatriation of Rohingya refugees Lawyers representing Myanmar argued in February that the case should be tossed out because the world court only hears cases between states and the Rohingya complaint was brought by Gambia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. They also claimed that Gambia could not bring the case to court as it was not directly linked to the events in Myanmar and that a legal dispute did not exist between the two countries before the case was filed. Gambia’s Attorney General and Justice Minister Dawda Jallow insisted in February that the case should go ahead and that it was brought by his country, not the OIC. “We are no one’s proxy,” Jallow told the court. The Netherlands and Canada are backing Gambia, saying in 2020 that the country “took a laudable step towards ending impunity for those committing atrocities in Myanmar and upholding this pledge. Canada and the Netherlands consider it our obligation to support these efforts which are of concern to all of humanity.” Myanmar’s military launched what it called a clearance campaign in Rakhine state in 2017 in the aftermath of an attack by a Rohingya insurgent group. More than 700,000 Rohingya fled into neighboring Bangladesh and Myanmar security forces have been accused of mass rapes, killings and torching thousands of homes. Also read: Rohingya Repatriation: Dhaka seeks proactive role from Indonesia, ASEAN In 2019, lawyers representing Gambia at the ICJ outlined their allegations of genocide by showing judges maps, satellite images and graphic photos of the military campaign. That led the court to order Myanmar to do all it can to prevent genocide against the Rohingya. The interim ruling was intended to protect the minority while the case is decided in The Hague, a process likely to take years. The ICJ case was complicated by last year's military coup in Myanmar. The decision to allow the Southeast Asian nation's military-installed government to represent the country at the February hearings drew sharp criticism. A shadow administration known as the National Unity Government made up of representatives including elected lawmakers who were prevented from taking their seats by the 2021 military coup had argued that it should be representing Myanmar in court. The International Court of Justice rules on disputes between states. It is not linked to the International Criminal Court, also based in The Hague, which holds individuals accountable for atrocities. Prosecutors at the ICC are investigating crimes committed against the Rohingya who were forced to flee to Bangladesh.

The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will hold public hearings on the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar from February 21-28. The hearings of the Gambia v. Myanmar case related to application of the convention on the prevention and punishment of the “crime of genocide” will be held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the Court. “The hearings will be devoted to the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar,” said the ICJ on Wednesday, adding that in view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will be held in a hybrid format. Read: Hun Sen’s rogue diplomacy a threat to ASEAN, Myanmar: APHR Some Members of the Court will attend the oral proceedings in person in the Great Hall of Justice while others will participate remotely by video link. Representatives of the Parties to the case will participate either in person or by video link. Members of the diplomatic corps, the media and the public will be able to follow the hearings through a live webcast on the Court’s website, as well as on UN Web TV, the United Nations online television channel.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Chair of Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana, on Tuesday reaffirms the proposal of the group for peaceful settlement of the dispute between Guyana and Venezuela through the intervention of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). ''Bangladesh looks forward to steering the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana to reach a peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and international adjudication which also is in line with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's visionary foreign policy doctrine," Momen said. The foreign minister attended the virtual meeting for the second time during his tenure as the chairman. Bangladesh took over the chairmanship from South Africa for this Ministerial Group. Read: Bangladesh to be voice of climate vulnerable countries: FM The Group is currently overseeing the long-standing territorial dispute between the British Guyana and Venezuela over their maritime territory. Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland and Foreign Ministers of Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica and the UK were present in the meeting. Momen reiterated firm and unswerving support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana. He assured that Bangladesh would steer the deliberations of this Ministerial Group's work towards a peaceful settlement of the territorial dispute between Guyana-Venezuela.

Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) has said they are fully cooperating with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to “make sure that justice is delivered to Rohingya brothers and sisters” and to all from every ethnicity who have suffered so much for so long under the brutal military generals’ reign of terror in Myanmar. “Together, we’ll end this reign of terror once and for all. Justice will prevail,” said Dr Sasa, Union Minister of International Cooperation and Spokesperson of Myanmar's shadow government in a post shared on his verified Facebook page. Also read: UNHCR seeks adequate medical assistance for Rohingyas affected in Bhasan Char Dr Sasa also shared an official statement that reads, "The National Unity Government is taking every step to cooperate with the International Court of Justice, the world's highest court…to ensure that we comply with Myanmar's international legal obligations.” The NUG said they are concerned about the difficult situation of the Rohingyas, especially those who fled to Bangladesh in 2016-17. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas both in Cox’s Bazar district and Bhasan Char. Also read: General Assembly has not forgotten Rohingya people: Bozkir Earlier, The Gambia, on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), filed a genocide case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague. The NUG statement says it is among its duties, as lawful government of Myanmar, to ensure the continuity of representation before the ICJ, and to be mindful of the timetable established by the Court. Also read: Rohingyas rights to return, citizenship must be respected: UNGA President  It said the NUG is also actively considering accepting the exercise of jurisdiction by the ICJ over the killings, torture and other crimes against the civilians that have occurred since the "attempted" coup on February 1. The NUG reaffirmed that it will continue to work closely with the Court and all relevant stakeholders for benefits of the country and all people in Myanmar, the statement adds.

The UN’s high court said Wednesday it has the jurisdiction to rule on a bid by Iran to overturn US sanctions that were reinstated during former President Donald Trump’s administration. “The Court finds that it has jurisdic

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has given The Gambia until May 20 within which the country may present a written statement of its observations and submissions on the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar.

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has demonstrated true leadership by allowing shelter to over 700 thousand Rohingyas with a decent living condition.