Hague: The Hague-based International Court of Justice has ordered Myanmar to take emergency measures to prevent genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority.
In a unanimously-ruled order issued by a panel of 17 judges the court upheld the provisions of the 1948 Genocide Convention – saying Myanmar had “caused irreparable damage to the rights of the Rohingya”. The order was read by presiding Judge Abdulaqawi Ahmed Yusuf.
Images used for representational purpose only | Source: United Sikhs
In its order the UN top court said: “Myanmar must also, in relation to the members of the Rohingya group in its territory, ensure that its military, as well as any irregular armed units which may be directed or supported by it and any organizations and persons which may be subject to its control, direction or influence, do not commit acts of genocide, or of conspiracy to commit genocide, of direct and public incitement to commit genocide, of attempt to commit genocide, or of complicity in genocide”.
“The Court is also of the view that Myanmar must take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of any evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of Article II of the Genocide Convention”, the 26 page order reads further.
Notably, in November 2019 the Gambia filed a suit against Myanmar alleging it was committing “an ongoing genocide against its minority Muslim Rohingya population” and violating the 1948 Genocide Convention.
PRESS RELEASE by INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE:
ORDER PASSED by INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE on JANUARY 23, 2020: