Maldives Intervenes in Gambia v. Myanmar Genocide Case
Photo: AG Office
The Republic of Maldives, represented by Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath, has formally filed a Declaration of Intervention at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of The Gambia v. Myanmar.
This action aligns with Article 63 of the Statute of the ICJ.
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I note the significance of today’s filing, as a testament to the unwavering solidarity of the Maldivian people with Muslims across the world, and the unified condemnation by the Maldives, of atrocities of genocide worldwide. https://t.co/8KyfbES9Ln— I Riffath (@ibriffath) November 15, 2023
Initiated by The Gambia on November 11, 2019, the case accuses Myanmar’s military and security forces of committing acts against the Rohingya group in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, starting in 2016.
The alleged actions are said to be in violation of the 1984 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Expressing deep concern over human rights violations and assaults against Rohingya Muslims on various international platforms, Maldives has consistently supported The Gambia’s case.
The decision to formally intervene was made by the Maldivian Cabinet on February 18, 2020, following a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This decision was publicly declared at the 43rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on February 25, 2020.
Adhering to the ICJ’s timeline, The Gambia submitted its Memorial on October 23, 2020, while Myanmar followed suit with its Counter Memorial on August 24, 2023.
The Rules of Court require intervening states to submit their declarations before the opening of oral proceedings. Notably, six other states have also indicated their intention to intervene in the case.
In the spirit of cooperation, Maldives opted to file its Declaration of Intervention on the same date as the other intervening states. The focus of Maldives’ declaration centres on the interpretation of the duty to punish genocide under the Genocide Convention.
Handling the legal representation for Maldives in this case are Amal Clooney, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in the United Kingdom, and Professor Philippa Webb, a barrister at Twenty Essex, also based in the United Kingdom.
