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THE ROUTLEDGE EDITED VOLUME ON THE ROHINGYA CRISIS IS OUT!
The Routledge Edited Volume entitled 'The Rohingya Crisis: Humanitarian and Legal Approaches' edited by Manzoor Hasan (Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University), Syed Mansoob Murshed (International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam), and Priya Pillai (Asia Justice Coalition) is published and is available to order for 20% off (Discount Code: FLR40 at checkout).
AJC, GJC, CJA: ICC ASP SIDE EVENT ON MYANMAR
On 6 December, the Asia Justice Coalition, the Global Justice Center, and the Center for Justice & Accountability organised a side event entitled 'Myanmar: Exploring Options for Justice' at the International Criminal Court’s 21st session of the Assembly of State Parties. The event witnessed great participation and discussion along with ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, Nicholas Koumjian, Dr Priya Pillai, Akila Radhakrishnan, Tun Khin, Chantal Daniels, and Carmen Cheung Ka-Man. The full recording of the event is available here.
FORTIFY RIGHTS WINS THE ASIA DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
On 10 December, Fortify Rights received the 2022 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award in recognition of its meticulous human rights investigations and prominent impact in Southeast Asia.
HRW & AJAR CONDEMNS THE ISSUANCE OF DEATH SENTENCE BY MYANMAR MILITARY
On 5 December, Human Rights Watch called on the Myanmar military to immediately commute the death sentences handed down against 10 prisoners including 7 university students by military courts. Asia Justice and Rights condemned the death sentence issued by the military and called on ASEAN as well as other international governmental entities to make immediate and urgent action to stop the execution and to conduct fair trials as well as proper due process.
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LAW: ICC ASP SIDE EVENT ON MYANMAR/BANGLADESH PRECEDENT
On 5 December, Legal Action Worldwide held a side event entitled
The Possibilities and Limitations of the Myanmar/Bangladesh Precedent: Jurisdiction over Transboundary Crimes Against Belarusian, Chinese and Syrian Victims with Ambassador Stephen Rapp, Antonia Mulvey, Rodney Dixon K.C., and Simon Papuashvili.
BROUK: ICC ASP SIDE EVENT ON JUSTICE FOR THE ROHINGYA
On 9 December, Tun Khin (President, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK) participated in a side event entitled ‘Justice for the Rohingya: Paths Forward’ co-hosted by Bangladesh, The Gambia, and No Peace Without Justice. The event saw participation from M Riaz Hamidullah (Bangladesh Ambassador, The Hague), Nazhat Shameem Khan (Deputy Prosecutor, ICC), Laetitia Van Den Assum (Former Dutch Ambassador), and Hussein Thomasi (Gambian Solicitor General).
HRW: ‘EUROPE & ASEAN SHOULD WORK TOGETHER ON MYANMAR CRISIS’
On 13 December, ahead of the EU-ASEAN meeting in Brussels, Human Rights Watch reiterated the fact that neither the EU nor ASEAN can deal with the crisis in Myanmar alone and called on them to reach a new agreement for stronger cooperation on the Myanmar crisis including support for enforcing sanctions in ASEAN jurisdictions, suspending Myanmar from the regional group, and a global arms embargo.
AI, HRW, GJC, BHRN: FIRST UNSC RESOLUTION ON MYANMAR IN 74 YEARS
On 21 December, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Global Justice Center, and Burma Human Rights Network, welcomed the long-overdue UN Security Council resolution on the situation in Myanmar. The Chapter VI resolution (12 yes and 3 abstentions) expressed deep concern at the ongoing state of emergency imposed by the military in Myanmar on 1 February 2021 and its grave impact on the people of Myanmar. It also condemned the military’s execution of pro-democracy activists, urged the military to immediately release all arbitrarily detained prisoners, and demand an immediate end to all forms of violence throughout the country. In doing so, the demand for a comprehensive arms embargo, targeted sanctions, and a referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court was reiterated.
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BROUK: REPORT ON MYANMAR DEFIANCE OF THE ICJ PROVISIONAL MEASURES ORDER
On 1 December, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK released a report entitled ‘Prevent the Unthinkable’ exposing how the Burmese military and other organisations are ignoring the International Court of Justice provisional measures and that genocide against the Rohingya is ongoing. It documents serious violations against Rohingya committed over the past six months, including killings, sexual violence, and shelling of homes, villages, and mosques. BROUK calls on more governments to follow the lead of Canada and the Netherlands and publicly announce their formal support for the genocide case brought by the Gambia to the ICJ.
AI: ‘AUNG SAN SUU KYI’S LUDICROUS TRIAL ENDS AS COUP ANNIVERSARY NEARS’
On 30 December, Amnesty International called the recent judgment sentencing Aung San Suu Kyi for an additional 7 years for alleged corruption politically motivated, unfair, and completely lacking in anything resembling transparency. According to AI, “the fact that this verdict comes less than 10 days after a rare rebuke from the UN Security Council demanding an end to the violence and the release of arbitrarily detained prisoners shows that more pressure on the Myanmar military is needed and fast.”
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HRW CALL ON AUSTRALIA TO USE MAGNITSKY-STYLE SANCTIONS & COORDINATE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT AGAINST THE MILITARY
On 5 December, Human Rights Watch called on the Australian government to impose targeted sanctions on senior military leaders or entities in Myanmar responsible for human rights violations like other like-minded democracies Canada, the EU, UK, and US. On 2 December, in a submission to the Australian Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, HRW demanded Australia encourage a coordinated international effort to increase pressure on the junta, including by ASEAN members that can best weigh in effectively with the junta: notably Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
AJC SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES
On 3 December, the secretariat head Dr. Priya Pillai delivered a talk on ‘Women in International Law’ at the Association of Defence Counsel – International Courts and Tribunals (ADC-ICT) 20th Anniversary Conference. From 5 – 10 December, the AJC secretariat staff attended the 20th session of the International Criminal Court Assembly of State Parties, The Hague.
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REUTERS: ‘MALAYSIA COURT LIFTS STAY ON DEPORTATION OF 114 MYANMAR NATIONALS’
On 13 December, Reuters reported that a Malaysian court lifted a stay on the deportation of 114 Myanmar nationals including children and suspected asylum seekers. The United Nations refugee agency has not been allowed access to detainees to determine their status.
UNGA DENIES RECOGNITION TO MYANMAR MILITARY
On 16 December, the UN General Assembly adopted the recommendations made by the UN Credentials Committee to defer the decision on the question of the official representation of Myanmar at the UN. Mr. U Kyaw Moe Tun, the NUG-appointed Permanent Representative, will continue to represent Myanmar.
AL JAZEERA: ‘MYANMAR COURT FINDS AUNG SAN SUU KYI GUILTY, ADDS 7 YEARS IN JAIL’
On 30 December, Al Jazeera reported that a military court in Myanmar found Aung San Suu Kyi guilty of corruption charges and sentenced her to a further seven years in prison. The court’s ruling leaves the deposed leader with a total of 33 years to serve in prison following the series of politically motivated prosecutions in the wake of the military seizing power in February 2021.
UNHCR WELCOMES INDONESIA’S ACT OF HUMANITY, SAVING DESPERATE HUMAN LIVES ADRIFT AT SEA
On 27 December, the UNHCR welcomed the act of humanity by local communities and authorities in Indonesia where more than 200 desperate people including a majority of women and children were brought ashore to safety. Many among them are believed to have been adrift for at least a month, without any help before being rescued. Survivors among the 174 told UNHCR that some 26 people have died during this long journey owing to dire conditions onboard.
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REUTERS: CANADA ADD SANCTIONS ON MYANMAR
On 9 December, Reuters reported that Canada has imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and three entities in Myanmar that perform key functions on behalf of the Myanmar military, facilitate arms flows to the military and enable the military's violence.
VOA: ‘US SENATE PASSES DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL, INCLUDING MYANMAR LANGUAGE’
On 16 December, the Voice of America reported that the U.S Senate passed military spending authorization legislation that included a newly amended version of the BURMA Act - the Burma Unified Through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 - aimed at helping pro-democracy forces battling the junta that has ruled Myanmar since last year’s coup. The Myanmar language in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act broadens the U.S. government’s authority to impose sanctions against the post-coup regime and aid Myanmar opposition and resistance groups. The authorized aid does not include arms.
UN RIGHTS CHIEF ON MYANMAR REFUGEES AND A FUTURE OF ‘KINDNESS, EMPATHY AND UNITY’
On 30 December, noting that more than 200 Rohingya have died trying to cross the Andaman Sea from Bangladesh, the UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk urged States to coordinate proactive search and rescue operations, disembark Rohingya refugees on their territories, and ensure their protection. According to him, “[a]n urgent solution must be found to enable the voluntary return of all Rohingya, with full respect of their dignity and human rights as full and equal citizens of Myanmar”.
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AJC SECRETARIAT WISHES EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR! |
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