ICJ Formally Admits Interventions of Four States in Genocide Case Against Myanmar

In a major development toward international justice for the Rohingya people, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced on 25 July 2025 that it has officially admitted the declarations of intervention filed by Slovenia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Belgium, and Ireland in the case of The Gambia v. Myanmar. The interventions were filed under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, which allows third-party States to join proceedings when the interpretation of a treaty—such as the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide—is at issue.

This landmark case was initiated by The Republic of The Gambia in November 2019, alleging that the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has committed acts of genocide against the Rohingya population in Rakhine State, including mass killings, sexual violence, destruction of villages, and widespread forced displacement. The case marks the first time Myanmar has been brought before the ICJ for violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

The Court’s decision to accept the interventions of four additional States underscores the increasing international legal solidarity surrounding the Rohingya genocide case. Each of the four countries emphasized their vested interest in the proper interpretation and application of the Genocide Convention, to which they are parties. This move demonstrates not only support for the Rohingya community but also a broader defense of the rules-based international order.

Under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute, when the interpretation of a multilateral convention like the Genocide Convention is at stake, States Parties are entitled to intervene to protect their interest in how that convention is interpreted. The purpose of such intervention is not to support the position of either the Applicant (The Gambia) or the Respondent (Myanmar), but to ensure their own rights under international law are considered and to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the legal issues involved.

Previously, several other States—including Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—have also expressed support for the case in various forms, with some filing declarations or offering technical assistance. The addition of Slovenia, the DRC, Belgium, and Ireland strengthens the global consensus that the treatment of the Rohingya warrants full and fair adjudication under international law.

The Rohingya people—an ethnic and religious minority in Myanmar—have faced systematic discrimination, statelessness, and targeted violence for decades. The military-led clearance operations of 2016 and 2017 resulted in the forced displacement of over 750,000 Rohingya into neighboring Bangladesh, and thousands were killed, raped, or tortured in what multiple UN bodies and independent investigations have described as crimes against humanity and genocide.

Reacting to the Court’s order, Rohingya civil society leaders, legal advocates, and survivor communities welcomed the decision as an important legal step toward accountability. According to Ro Mayyu Islam, Executive Director of the Rohingya Genocide Prevention Research Network (RGPRN),

“This growing international involvement proves that the Rohingya cause is not forgotten. It shows that the world is watching and willing to act through lawful means. Every intervention strengthens our collective hope for justice and a dignified future for the Rohingya people.”

With the interventions now formally admitted, the intervening States may submit written observations to the Court and, in some cases, participate in oral hearings concerning the interpretation of the Genocide Convention. The case is currently in the merits phase, where both parties—The Gambia and Myanmar—are presenting evidence and legal arguments about the commission of genocide and Myanmar’s failure to prevent and punish such acts.

The final judgment from the ICJ is still pending and may take several more years. However, interim measures issued by the Court in January 2020 remain in effect, requiring Myanmar to prevent genocidal acts, preserve evidence, and report periodically on its compliance.

For full details, see the official ICJ document here: ICJ Press Release – 25 July 2025

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