#R2PWeekly: 11-15 November

This week in focus:

Accountability for Atrocities for Burma

On Monday, The Gambia filed a case against Burma at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging that the state violated its obligation under the Prevention of Genocide Convention. The actions against the Rohingya population have largely been considered genocidal based on multiple sources of inquiry and analysis conducted, notably the UN-Commissioned Independent International Fact Finding Mission (FFM) on Myanmar. It is on these grounds, The Gambia, on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation of Islamic, argues that Burma failed in its responsibility to prevent and punish genocidal acts. The culture of impunity around the Burmese Military, also known as the Tatmadaw, continues despite international pressure and outcry for the campaign carried out against the Rohingya people in August 2017, and is part of the motivation of the Gambian government, whose Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubaccar M. Tambadou, said, “it is a shame for our generation that we do nothing while genocide is unfolding right under our own eyes.”

A Q&A Factsheet that addresses the ICJ case can be found here.

In addition to the measures filed by the Gambian Ministry of Justice, on Thursday, 14 November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber III authorized the office of the Prosecutor to open an investigation into “the Situation in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh/Republic of the Union of Myanmar.” Though Burma is not party to the ICC, last year the Court ruled that it had jurisdiction over the alleged widespread and systematic crimes against the Rohingya could amount to crimes against humanity of deportation. With this decision, the Prosecutor will now be able to begin collecting evidence to establish criminal responsibility in the situation, which may take “as long as needed,” before issuing arrest warrants should sufficient evidence be found. The ICC must rely on States Party to the Rome Statute to uphold their legal obligations and cooperate with the Court in the investigation in order to ensure the accountability measures are used to their fullest extent.

***Please note that the RtoP Weekly will be published intermittently through the end of 2019. Thank you!***

Photo via The Gambia Ministry of Justice

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What to Watch:

Gaza: Islamic Jihad offers Israel truce as Gaza toll hits 26 (Rueters)
This week tensions in Gaza and Israel peaked, resulting in violence after Israeli forces killed an Islamic Jihad senior commissioner. In addition to attacks reaching as far as Tel Aviv, Israel launched several rockets into Gaza, resulting in the most civilian casualties since the war between Israel and Hamas in 2014. A ceasefire, announced Thursday morning, appeared to be holding at the time of writing.

Iraq: Security Forces Attack Medics Treating Protesters (Human Rights Watch)
Human Rights Watch reports that Iraqi security forces are targeting medical personnel providing services to injured protesters, violating international humanitarian law.

Venezuela: ‘Harmonized’ plan launched to support millions of Venezuelan refugees and migrants (UN News)
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization on Migration (IOM) launched a joint initiative to address the displacement resulting from the instability in Venezuela. The initiative aims to promote the peaceful integration of refugee populations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, assisting hosting states and communities with legal protect, social service support including health and education, as well as economic development.

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