The Gambia, represented by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow chaired the Adhoc Ministerial Committee on Accountability for Human Rights Violations Against the Rohingya where it outlined an updated status on the case, especially the recent hearing in February 2022.
The minister revealed thatThe Gambia won a lawsuit in the United States against Facebook to have access to the social media accounts used by the Myanmar military to spread anti-Rohingya hate propaganda online.
‘’The lawsuit has successfully obtained contents of Facebook accounts that were controlled by Myanmar’s military, and which Facebook removed from its platformafter Facebook determined that the accounts were used to spread anti-Rohingya hate propaganda in violation of Facebook’s terms of services’’, Minister Jallowstated revealing that the ruling is a big boost for the Gambia’s evidence collection efforts.
The Attorney General added that a 4-day hearing was held on Myanmar’s Preliminary Objections to the Court’s jurisdiction from 21-28 February 2022. The Gambia had opposed the objection and a ruling is expected in the summerof 2022.
On support forthe financial status of the legal case, the Attorney General urged OIC member states to step up and show strong solidarity with the cause of the Rohingyas by contributing voluntarily to meet the legal expenses of the case.
The OIC Secretary-General, H.E. HisseinBrahim Taha,praised the pivotal role of The Gambiain leading the Organization’s efforts on the international stage to ensure that Myanmar is held accountable for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslims.
While reiterating that the Rohingya case is one of the top priorities on the OIC’s agenda, he pointed out that the case sends a strong message to the international community about the Organization’s collective and coordinated work to support the Rohingya people.
