Asia Justice Coalition

📢Asia Justice Coalition New Whitepaper Alert! #Sanctions are often the first reaction by particularly Global North States to international crises. Although not a #victim-focussed tool, because of their regular usage sanctions could, and should, be wielded in a way that is more victim-centred. This whitepaper explores three opportunities to ‘make sanctions work’ for victims of human rights and humanitarian law abuses including atrocity crimes. These opportunities include: (1) ensuring #accountability for sanctions violations; (2) developing victims’ funds, financed by the interest of frozen assets or the fines imposed for violations; and (3) confiscating and distributing #frozenassets absent a criminal conviction. We extend our sincere thanks to Rafsi A. (Junior Research Consultant, Asia Justice Coalition secretariat) and the Cambridge Pro Bono Project, led by Danuta Palarczyk and Perlina P., for co-authoring the whitepaper, "Making Sanctions Work." Read the full whitepaper here 👇: https://lnkd.in/gUTKZ7bR Coalition for the International Criminal Court Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC) The Hague Humanity Hub International Commission of Jurists Human Rights Watch Fortify Rights Global Justice Center Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) Amnesty International Centre for Policy Alternatives Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) BHRN BROUK

Join us online on 21 May for the presentation of candidates to the #UN committee on the elimination of all forms of #discrimination against #women, co-hosted with GQUAL Campaign, TB-Net and IWRAW Asia Pacific: https://lnkd.in/ezj-8F9p

" In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from atop the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia’s northern province of Aceh. Another 67 passengers, including at least 28 children, had been killed when the boat capsized, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Until now, little was known about how the boat capsized, or why. This account, as told to The Associated Press in separate interviews with eight surviving passengers, provides the first insight into what happened on board and why so many died. The men, women and children interviewed include witnesses of the events leading to the capsize and of the sexual abuse, as well as the only surviving sexual assault victim, N. International indifference toward the Rohingya has, in many ways, worsened the crisis. In several cases, coastal countries in Asia have ignored pleas to rescue imperiled Rohingya boats, despite international laws mandating the rescue of boats in distress. Global donations for the nearly 1 million Rohingya languishing in overcrowded camps have plummeted, leading to slashed food rations. And no country is offering large-scale resettlement. Most Rohingya understand the risks of taking to the sea. But those who board the vessels say the world has left them with little choice. And so it was that N arrived one night in March at a remote beach in southern Bangladesh, where she climbed into a small fishing boat that would take her away from everything she knew, including her family." https://lnkd.in/dB8btxtS

🚨 NEW PRIMER ALERT 🚨 What constitutes a war crime, and how does it differ from other crimes under international law? Who can be held responsible for a war crime, and by whom? and what is the distinction between war crimes and grave breaches? Check Asia Justice Coalition primer on #WarCrimes for answers here: https://lnkd.in/gxTKWUrn 

" The Argentinian prosecutor has been producing important evidence. The file now has a number of testimonies from survivors – Rohingya survivors...." "[I]n December last year, the Burmese Rohingya Organization U.K., which is a plaintiff in this criminal investigation, submitted a request to the court. An international arrest warrant request. Now, that request is under consideration by the court. At some point, we hope that, during this year, the court in Argentina will make a decision whether or not the conditions are there for international arrest warrants to be issued." https://lnkd.in/enBsicr4

The Asia Justice Coalition is delighted to be partnering with the Women's Education and Research Centre in #SriLanka for its Women Leaders in International Justice & Accountability (WIJA) Project Co-Impact. The Women's Education and Research Centre (WERC) achieves its broad objectives of increasing #women’s awareness, their resources, and opportunities for effective participation in the economic, political and social life of the country and remains a driving force in Sri Lanka’s women's movement. The Asia Justice Coalition secretariat is excited to start this meaningful work for bringing together #women leaders in #SriLanka to develop leadership in international law. Our #WIJA project aims to facilitate constructive dialogue around critical issues of international justice and accountability in #Asia. To know more about the #WIJA Project, check here: https://lnkd.in/dQDXGM8U

Today we remember Minerva Bernardino, a diplomat from the Dominican Republic who was born #OnThisDay. In a profession dominated by men, she was one of only 4 women to sign the United Nations Charter in 1945. 👏👏👏👏

🚨 Asia Justice Coalition Submission on the International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor's Policy Paper on Slavery Crimes 🚨 In the written submission, the Asia Justice Coalition secretariat highlights the historical legacy of slavery in the region, including the sexual #enslavement of ‘#comfortwomen’ by the Imperial Japanese armed forces, and enslavement by the Khmer Rouge regime in #Cambodia. Regarding contemporary forms of slavery, the submission also highlights the enslavement of workers in the #fishingindustry in #SoutheastAsia, as well as the #forcedconscription of the #Rohingya in #Myanmar. The secretariat recommends comprehensive and intersectional reflection on slavery crimes, including cumulative charging at the ICC in the interest of justice and accountability. Read the full submission here: https://lnkd.in/dEHuTfmB

🚨 AJC Submission on the International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor's Policy Paper on Slavery Crimes 🚨 In the written submission, the Asia Justice Coalition secretariat highlights the historical legacy of slavery in the region, including the sexual #enslavement of ‘#comfortwomen’ by the Imperial Japanese armed forces, and enslavement by the Khmer Rouge regime in #Cambodia. Regarding contemporary forms of slavery, the submission also highlights the enslavement of workers in the #fishingindustry in #SoutheastAsia, as well as the #forcedconscription of the #Rohingya in #Myanmar. The secretariat recommends comprehensive and intersectional reflection on slavery crimes, including cumulative charging at the ICC in the interest of justice and accountability. Read the full submission here: https://lnkd.in/dEHuTfmB Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC) Coalition for the International Criminal Court The Hague Humanity Hub International Commission of Jurists Fortify Rights Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University Centre for Policy Alternatives Global Justice Center Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Human Rights Watch Amnesty International Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) BHRN BROUK

Statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar " Myanmar has this week marked a bleak milestone with more than 3 million civilians now displaced nationwide amid intensifying conflict. The figure has jumped sharply, up by 50 per cent in just six months. Myanmar stands at the precipice in 2024 with a deepening humanitarian crisis that has spiraled since the military takeover in February 2021 and the consequent conflicts in many parts of the country, driving record numbers of people to abandon their homes seeking safety. Of the 3 million people who are currently internally displaced, more than 2.7 million people fled as a result of conflict and insecurity since the takeover. It is estimated that one third of those now displaced are children whose education and futures have been upended by conflict. Escalating flighting in many parts of the country, intensified since October 2023, has contributed to this rapid growth in displacement. Sadly, civilians not involved in the conflict pay the highest price across the country with many seeing no other option but to flee seeking safety. The 3 million displaced people are struggling to survive amid a widespread humanitarian crisis that has left a total of 18.6 million people in need. This is a million more than the previous year. Those in need include 6 million children." https://lnkd.in/d97asPzA.