Gambia and Myanmar begin International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings on 12 January 2026

Key facts

• Public hearings opened on 12 January 2026 at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a landmark case brought by the Gambia against Myanmar, alleging violations of the Genocide Convention.
• The proceedings, held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, mark the start of the merits phase in the case, after years of preliminary legal arguments.
• Judge Iwasawa Yuji, President of the ICJ, outlined a detailed schedule that includes two rounds of pleadings by Gambia and Myanmar, as well as closed sessions to hear testimony.
• Gambia filed its application in November 2019, accusing Myanmar of breaching the Genocide Convention through acts allegedly committed during 'clearance operations' carried out by the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw.
• In January 2020, the Court unanimously ordered provisional measures, directing Myanmar to take all steps within its power to prevent genocidal acts against the Rohingya and preserve evidence.
• The ICJ is the United Nations’ (UN) principal judicial organ; it settles legal disputes between States and determines State responsibility rather than trying individuals.