The Maldives has submitted its written observations in the case of The Gambia v. Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to a statement from the Attorney General’s Office.
The case involves the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, commonly referred to as The Gambia v. Myanmar. The Maldives' submission was formally presented to the ICJ on 28 February by Attorney General Ahmed Usham, who serves as the agent for the Maldives in this matter.
The Gambia initiated legal proceedings against Myanmar on 11 November 2019, alleging violations of the Genocide Convention through acts committed against the Rohingya Muslim population. These allegations centre on the systematic and widespread acts of genocide perpetrated against the Rohingya community in Myanmar's northern Rakhine State.
With the support of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), The Gambia filed the case following a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar. This crackdown resulted in hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh.
Subsequently, the Maldives submitted its Declaration of Intervention in accordance with ICJ procedures. On 3 July 2024, the Court found the Maldives' Declaration of Intervention admissible under Article 63(2) of the Statute of the Court, leading to the invitation for the Maldives to present its written observations on the substantive matters of its intervention.
The Attorney General’s Office detailed that the Maldives’ observations focused on interpreting several key provisions of the Genocide Convention. These provisions include Articles I, IV, V, and VI, which collectively address the obligations of states to prevent and punish acts of genocide. The Attorney General’s Office also reiterated the Maldives' dedication to contributing to the international community’s pursuit of justice and upholding the principles enshrined in the Genocide Convention.
In addition to the Maldives, several other states, including Ireland, Belgium, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Slovenia, have filed declarations of intervention in the proceedings under Article 63 of the Statute.