Gambiaj.com – (The Hague, Switzerland) – Myanmar has appeared before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the merits hearing in the case The Gambia v. Myanmar, a landmark legal proceeding concerning allegations of genocide against the Rohingya minority.
In a statement issued ahead of the hearings, the Government of Myanmar said its participation demonstrates respect for international law and the judicial role of the ICJ. Myanmar noted that it is a State party to the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and described itself as a responsible member of the international community committed to cooperating with the Court in good faith.
The case, initiated by The Gambia in November 2019, accuses Myanmar of committing acts of genocide against the Rohingya population in northern Rakhine State. Myanmar has consistently denied the allegations.
According to the statement, Myanmar has participated in all stages of the proceedings since the case was filed, complied with the Court’s orders, and submitted periodic reports in line with provisional measures indicated by the ICJ.
The government said it considers the proceedings to be of the utmost importance, given that the allegations concern one of the gravest violations of international law.
Myanmar said it would defend “the honor of the country and its people,” arguing that what it described as biased reports and unreliable evidence cannot substitute for truth. The government expressed confidence in the wisdom, independence, and impartiality of the ICJ and said it trusts the Court to assess the evidence fairly and objectively, strictly within the legal framework of the Genocide Convention.
The hearings are scheduled to proceed with The Gambia’s first round of oral arguments, after which Myanmar will begin presenting its case on Friday, 16 January 2026. Myanmar said it would outline what it considers to be the many reasons the allegations are flawed and unfounded in both fact and law.
It also stated that it would refrain from arguing the case publicly outside the courtroom, including in the international media, in order to protect the integrity of the judicial process from external pressure.
Alongside the ICJ proceedings, Myanmar said it continues to cooperate with Bangladesh and other international partners on humanitarian and displacement-related issues in northern Rakhine State, despite what it described as a difficult situation on the ground.
The government reiterated its commitment to the repatriation of people displaced from Rakhine State who are currently living in camps in Bangladesh.
It said a bilateral agreement with Bangladesh is in place for that purpose and that discussions have been held with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. These talks include cooperation under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with UNDP and UNHCR to facilitate safe, voluntary, and dignified returns when conditions permit.
Myanmar emphasized that the case before the ICJ is a State-to-State legal process focused on the application and interpretation of the Genocide Convention, and not a forum for political accusations. It said it would address the allegations in a systematic, factual, and legal manner and reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with the Court respectfully and in good faith while upholding the rule of law in the international legal order.
