By Micah Jonah
January 16, 2026
The Gambia’s landmark case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya minority has begun at the International Court of Justice ICJ in The Hague, marking the first time allegations of mass abuses against the Rohingya are being heard before an international court.
Addressing judges, The Gambia’s Justice Minister and Attorney General, Dawda Jallow, said the Rohingya were deliberately targeted for destruction by Myanmar’s military during the 2016 to 2017 operations which forced about 750,000 people to flee, mostly into Bangladesh. Refugees have reported mass killings, rape and the burning of entire communities.
The case is also historic because it was brought by a third country in defence of another people under the Genocide Convention. The Gambia filed the suit in 2019, acting with the backing of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Several countries including Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Maldives and Britain have since joined in support of the case.
Lawyers for The Gambia told the court that the scale and pattern of violence showed genocidal intent, citing witness testimonies of villages being burned with residents inside, widespread sexual violence and arbitrary executions. They said the campaign aimed to erase Rohingya identity and remove them from Myanmar.
Myanmar has consistently denied genocide allegations, saying its military operations targeted armed groups. In 2020, however, the ICJ ordered Myanmar to take emergency measures to prevent acts of genocide, a ruling that carried legal weight though the court has no enforcement powers.
The hearings come as hundreds of thousands of Rohingya continue to live in overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, heavily dependent on humanitarian aid, with recent funding cuts worsening food shortages and access to education. Many have attempted dangerous sea journeys in search of safety, with several deadly incidents reported in recent years.
Judges are expected to hear Myanmar’s defence before issuing final ruling, which could influence other genocide cases currently before the court, including those involving conflicts in the Middle East.
