On 11 November 2019, The Gambia filed a case against Myanmar before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention for its atrocities against the Rohingya community in Rakhine State.

In its filing, The Gambia asked the court for an order indicating provisional measures “to protect the rights of the Rohingya group and those of The Gambia under the Genocide Convention, and to prevent the aggravation or extension of the dispute pending the final judgment of the Court.” The hearing took place on 10-12 December 2019.

The Gambia’s delegation was led by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubacarr Marie Tambadou. Myanmar’s delegation was led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. On 23 January 2020, the ICJ released its landmark decision on provisional measures, ordering Myanmar to act promptly to prevent further abuses and human rights violations against Rohingya population.

In this framework, since January 2020, NPWJ together with other organisations (International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, Global Justice Center, Human Rights Watch, International Bar Association, Human Rights Initiative, Parliamentarians for Global Action and Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice) has promoted a series of meetings and events aimed at raising awareness on the crimes committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar, at supporting the accountability initiative fostered by The Gambia and at giving voice to Rohingya human rights activists about their perspectives on justice and accountability in the context of these proceedings.