The European Union, through the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS), called on Myanmar on Thursday (23 January) to "fully implement" the provisional measures of the International Criminal Court (ICC) order in the Gambia's appeal against Myanmar's violation of its obligations under the UN Genocide Convention.
"The implementation of the interim measures is mandatory under international law", the spokesperson said in his statement, adding that the EU would continue to monitor the case closely.
These measures include the prevention of murder or serious physical or mental harm against Rohingyas. Myanmar must ensure that no organisation or person under its control, authority or influence commits or incites genocide. The country must also act to ensure the preservation of evidence relating to the allegations of genocide and must provide the Court with a report on the measures taken within 4 months and then every 6 months until a final decision is taken.
The EEAS spokesperson stressed that accountability for gross human rights violations "should always be a key principle governing the action of national governments". Myanmar must ensure that those responsible for the gross human rights violations committed by some of its military and security forces are held to account, he said. In addition, the protection of all civilians and safe and unhindered humanitarian access must be ensured. "The court has indicated interim measures that are largely along the same lines", the spokesman said.
A few days ago, a commission ordered by the Burmese government concluded that some members of the military had committed war crimes against the Rohingyas, but that the army was not guilty of genocide. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)