Gambia urges UN court to continue Rohingya genocide case

Lawyers for Gambia are urging the United Nations’ top court to throw out Myanmar’s preliminary objections that seek to end a case accusing the Southeast Asian nation of genocide against the country's Rohingya minority

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Lawyers for Gambia on Wednesday urged the United Nations' top court to throw out Myanmar's legal bid to end a case accusing the Southeast Asian nation of genocide against the country's Rohingya minority.

“This court must reject Myanmar’s meritless preliminary objections and proceed to adjudicate the merits of this dispute,” Gambia’s Attorney General and Justice Minister Dawda Jallow told judges at the International Court of Justice.

Lawyer Paul S. Reichler said the military takeover of power in Myanmar last year made the case all the more important as the country's new rulers are alleged to be behind the atrocities committed against the Rohingya.

“If they can escape the court’s jurisdiction, they will be accountable to no one and there will be no constraints on their persecution and ultimate destruction of the Rohingya,” he warned, adding that “the Rohingya remain at grave risk of mass atrocity crimes.”