The International Law and Human Rights Program prepares this update on International Justice for informational purposes only. Any opinions expressed in articles contained in this update are not necessarily endorsed by PGA or any individual/s associated with PGA; nor does PGA or any individual/s associated with PGA vouch for the accuracy of the contents of these articles.
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Myanmar, The Gambia
On 29 January 2026, the International Court of Justice concluded three weeks of hearings in TheGambia v. Myanmar case, accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya. Rohingya survivors provided direct testimony of atrocities, while Myanmar’s defense argued that genocidal intent cannot be established. A final judgment from the ICJ is expected in at least six months.
On 24 January 2026, the Council of Europe announced an agreement with the European Union to fund an advance team to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, marking a concrete step toward ensuring accountability for Russian leaders and justice for Ukraine.
On 19 January 2026, the ICC Deputy Prosecutor briefed the UN Security Council, reporting that the Office of the Prosecutor has found evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in El Fasher and other parts of Sudan’s Darfur region.
On 26 January 2026, a UN Special Rapporteur urged the United States to withdraw sanctions against International Criminal Court judges and prosecutors, emphasizing that such measures "are an unacceptable assault on judicial independence, a deliberate obstruction of justice, and a grave threat to the rule of law and international accountability.”
From 19 to 30 January 2026, the Preparatory Committee convened to negotiate a future Crimes Against Humanity Convention. On 23 January, FIDH and REDRESS, as part of the Global Initiative Against Impunity, published a policy briefing urging states to ensure a victim-centered approach. Throughout the session, civil society organizations and survivors strongly advocated for inclusive and meaningful participation in the negotiations. On 29 January, a UN Special Rapporteur called for hostage-taking to be explicitly recognized as a crime against humanity in the draft convention.
On 21 January 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu accepted an invitation to join President Trump’s new Board of Peace for Gaza, despite an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu for war crimes committed in Gaza. Human Rights Watch warned that the Board attempts to undermine the UN's efforts to uphold human rights and risks entrenching impunity.
On 26 January 2026, judges of the International Criminal Court ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity committed as part of his “war on drugs.” The confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled for 23 February 2026.
On 14 January 2026, Amnesty International reported unprecedented mass killings of protesters in Iran since 8 January committed by the country's security forces. The organization urges UN member states to take coordinated action, establish international justice mechanisms, and call on the Security Council to refer the situation in Iran to the International Criminal Court.
On 8 January 2026, the Executive Director of MADRE, an international human rights organization, explained that sustained ICC action is needed to secure justice for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ persons in Afghanistan who are targeted with gender persecution in Afghanistan.
On 7 January 2026, United Nations experts condemned the United States' military actions against Venezuela as a grave violation of international law and a threat to regional stability. They stressed the need for states to uphold international law to maintain a democratic and equitable international order.
On 12 January 2026, Human Rights Watch urged states to explicitly address children's concerns in the draft text of a crimes against humanity treaty during discussions at the United Nations in New York from 19 to 30 January 2026, to ensure that the convention will protect children's rights.
On 12 January 2026, the International Court of Justice opened hearings in the landmark case filed by The Gambia accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya. The trial is expected to set precedents on the legal definition of genocide and state accountability. It will also be the first time that Rohingya victims will be heard by an international court.
