Gambia Tells UN Court That Myanmar Turned Rohingya Lives Into a Nightmare

Post by : Saif Nasser

Gambia has told judges at the United Nations’ highest court that Myanmar deliberately destroyed the lives of the Rohingya people and turned their daily existence into a nightmare. The case, being heard at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accuses Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group.

This is the first full genocide case the ICJ has heard in more than ten years. Legal experts say the final decision could have a wide impact, not only for Myanmar but also for other genocide cases being watched closely around the world.

Speaking before the judges, Gambia’s Justice Minister Dawda Jallow said the Rohingya were ordinary people who only wanted to live in peace and dignity. Instead, he said, they were targeted for destruction. According to Gambia, Myanmar’s actions stripped the Rohingya of safety, homes, and hope, replacing normal life with fear and violence.

The case was first filed by Gambia in 2019. It focuses on a military operation launched by Myanmar in 2017 in the western Rakhine state. During that operation, at least 730,000 Rohingya were forced to flee their homes and cross into Bangladesh. Refugees later described killings, mass sexual violence, and the burning of entire villages.

A United Nations investigation later said there was strong evidence that Myanmar’s military committed acts that could amount to genocide. Myanmar has rejected these claims. Its authorities say the military action was a response to attacks by Rohingya militants and was a counter-terrorism operation, not genocide.

For Rohingya survivors, the hearings bring long-awaited hope. Refugees who spoke outside the court said they want the world to finally recognise what happened to them. Many believe a ruling against Myanmar would confirm their suffering and help bring justice after years of silence.

This case is also historic because it allows Rohingya victims to be heard by an international court for the first time. Their testimonies will be presented in closed sessions to protect privacy, but their voices are now part of the legal record.

Myanmar’s situation has grown more unstable in recent years. Since the military seized power in 2021, the country has faced widespread violence and political unrest. Elections being held now have been criticised by the United Nations and rights groups as unfair.

The hearings at the ICJ will last several weeks. While the court’s ruling may take time, the case itself sends a strong message. It shows that even powerful states can be questioned under international law, and that victims of mass violence are not forgotten.