Bangkok: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to commence hearings on the Myanmar genocide case early next year. The World Court announced that it will address the accusations of genocide against the Rohingya Muslim ethnic group from January 12 to 29.

According to Thai News Agency, this trial is being closely monitored as it is expected to set a significant precedent that could influence ongoing conflicts, notably between South Africa and Israel over the Gaza Strip. This marks the first genocide case in over a decade where the court will thoroughly examine its core merits.

Gambia, supported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will present its allegations during the first week of hearings from January 12 to 15. Myanmar, which denies the accusations, is scheduled to present its counterarguments from January 16 to 20. Additionally, a special three-day period has been set aside for witness testimony, which will be conducted in secret, away from media and public scrutiny.

A fact-finding mission by the United Nations concluded that Myanmar’s 2017 military operation, which led to over 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, amounted to genocide. However, Myanmar has dismissed the UN investigation, labeling it as biased and flawed, and insists that the military actions were merely responses to counter-attacks by Rohingya opposition groups.

The case is filed under the 1948 Convention on Genocide, defining genocide as the “act of intent to destroy an ethnic or religious group, in whole or in part.” The International Court of Justice has previously recognized only the Srebrenica massacre in 1995 under this definition. In the Myanmar case, countries including Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have advocated for the court to broaden its interpretation of genocide intent beyond just the number of deaths, to include forced displacement, crimes against children, and sexual violence, reflecting current circumstances.