Trial on Rohingya genocide in Myanmar begins in The Hague

A landmark trial began on Monday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, in which Myanmar is accused of genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

This is the first genocide case that the ICJ will hear in its entirety in more than a decade. The verdict may have implications beyond Myanmar, including South Africa's lawsuit against Israel over the war in Gaza.

The lawsuit was filed in 2019 by Gambia. It alleges that the army in Rakhine State committed acts of genocide during a 2017 offensive, after which at least 730,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh.

Refugees spoke of killings, mass rapes, and the burning of homes; a UN mission found "genocidal acts." Myanmar rejects the accusations and describes the operation as a counterterrorism response.

The Rohingya victims are demanding justice and will be heard in court for the first time, but behind closed doors. The hearings will last three weeks.

The country has been in chaos since the 2021 coup and is organizing gradual elections, which the UN, several Western countries, and human rights groups criticize as unfree and unfair.

(reuters, lud)