Thread by @matthewfsmith

Hearings resume today in the #Rohingya #genocide case at the Int’l Court of Justice (#TheGambia v. #Myanmar). We’ll hear today from the Pres of the court as well as the #Myanmar junta’s objections to the case. Begins 1:30pm The Hague/7:30am ET / 7pm MYA: media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k…

Here is the 160-page report by @FortifyRights, “They Gave Them Long Swords,” showing how the #Myanmar military planned for and carried out the crime of #genocide against #Rohingya.

fortifyrights.org/downloads/Fort…

The junta imprisoned #Myanmar's former State Agent at the court, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. And its legal team has changed. Int'l lawyer Christopher Staker will represent the junta and I'm told will be joined by lawyers Robert Kolb & Stephan Talmon.

The Pres of the ICJ now explains the "hybrid hearing" setting, with some participating in person, some by video link. Each party to the case can only have 4 people in the court, which has been equipped with COVID protective measures. #RohingyaGenocide #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

The President of the court mentioned that the case involves disputes between states, not governments; seems to be a weak defense for the fact that the court effectively ignored the NUG and instead welcomed the junta, a terrorist org that does not actually have effective control.

The junta's state agent, Ko Ko Hlaing, calmly explains that the composition of Myanmar's representation has changed. The irony that the composition changed due to a round of atrocity crimes, including widespread and systematic imprisonment, just hangs over the court...

Christopher Staker, who apparently has no qualms representing & defending the military junta, begins by arguing the case is actually being brought by the OIC and not The Gambia. A weak attempt get the case dropped. The Gambia filed; The Gambia is in the court. #Rohingya #genocide

Staker mentioned @FortifyRights in his remarks, attempting to argue the case is being brought by the OIC and not The Gambia. We’re honored but it doesn’t change the fact The Gambia filed this case against #Myanmar for the genocide of the #Rohingya.

Staker is effectively arguing that The Gambia is a puppet State of the OIC, and more broadly that organizations of states can’t be interested in or even discuss the topic of a member state filing a case… A weak argument (and from a military junta, no less).