Overview
- The court scheduled public arguments for January 12–29 in The Hague, with The Gambia presenting first (January 12–15) and Myanmar responding (January 16–20).
- In an unusual step, three days will be closed to the public for the examination of witnesses and an expert called by the parties.
- The Gambia brought the case in 2019 under the Genocide Convention, backed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
- A U.N. fact-finding mission said Myanmar’s 2017 campaign included “genocidal acts,” which Myanmar rejects as biased, maintaining it targeted insurgents.
- Intervening states urged the court in filings to assess genocidal intent through forced displacement, crimes against children, and sexual and gender-based violence, in a case watched for its potential to influence other disputes.