On Monday (September 26), 36 civil organizations issued an ‘open letter’ asking France to formally support The Gambia’s claim against Burma, initiated in November 2019 before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for violations of the Genocide Convention, by mentioning that ‘France, which prides itself on being the homeland of human rights, must engage in this procedure’.
“On August 25, 2022, we commemorated Remembrance Day for the Rohingya, so terribly affected by state violence in Burma. Five years after the exodus of nearly more than 700,000 of them to Bangladesh, “no one has been held accountable for crimes against humanity and acts of genocide committed against the Rohingya population,” civil organizations said in an open letter.
Since the military coup of February 1, 2021, the brutal repression carried out by the junta has extended to an entire people and has been characterized by the commission of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The barbarity of the Burmese military, which seems limitless, feeds on decades of impunity and the inaction of the world to put an end to it. More than ever, governments must explore all possible avenues to ensure justice is served and those responsible for the atrocities committed by the Burmese military are held accountable.
“To mark the August 25 commemorations, the United Kingdom and Germany announced their support for The Gambia’s request. As early as September 2020, Canada and the Netherlands publicly declared their intention to support this procedure emphasizing that “the Genocide Convention embodies the solemn commitment to prevent the crime of genocide and to hold accountable those responsible” according to open letter.
By submitting this request to the ICJ, The Gambia has taken a commendable step towards ending impunity for those who commit atrocities in Burma and ensuring that this commitment is respected.” Canada and the Netherlands added that it was “their duty to support these efforts which concern all of humanity.”
The 36 civil organizations believe that it is now France’s duty to support these efforts, within the framework of a procedure marked by expected progress.
In a judgment of July 22, 2022, the ICJ rejected Burma’s preliminary objections and concluded that The Gambia had standing, as a State party to the Genocide Convention, to invoke the responsibility of Burma.
France’s initiative, carried out in the name of justice and the fight against impunity in Burma, will be hailed as a milestone in the Burmese people’s quest for justice as a whole.
The letter is here https://us.docworkspace.com/d/sIEGptfgftMPKmQY
Organization signatories:
Action Against Myanmar Military Coup (Sydney)
Ah Nah Podcast – Conversation with Myanmar
ALTSEAN Burma
Association Suisse Birmanie (ASB)
Beyond Borders Malaysia
Burma Action Ireland
Burma Campaign UK
Burma Human Rights Netwok (BHRN)
Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK)
Communauté Birmane de France (CBF)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
CRPH & NUG supporters Ireland
CRPH Funding Ireland
Doh Atu Ensemble pour le Myanmar
Educational Initiatives Prague
European Karen Network (EKN)
Fédération internationale des droits de l’Homme (FIDH)
Global Myanmar Spring Revolution (GMSR)
Info Birmanie
International Association Myanmar-Switzerland (IAMS)
International Karen Organisation (IKO)
International Society of Myanmar Scholars and Professionals
Japan Myanmar Help Network
Justice for Myanmar
Justice4Rohingya UK
Karen Swedish Community (KSC)
Ligue des droits de l’Homme (LDH)
Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP)
Myanmar people in Ireland
Myanmar Community Austria (MCA)
Progressive Voice
Rohingya Action Ireland
Supporting Myanmar Australia
Swedish Burma Committee
US Burma Campaign
Women Activists Myanmar
