The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is anticipated to deliver a pivotal ruling later this year on whether Myanmar's actions against the Rohingya minority constituted genocide. This decision is poised to scrutinize the commitment of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its member states, who have vocally supported the case brought before the court.

The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic group, have faced severe persecution in Myanmar, including massacres and forced displacement by the military. Nine years after the initial exodus, many remain stateless and vulnerable, facing ongoing violence and perilous sea crossings. The OIC has consistently positioned Muslim solidarity as a core tenet of its identity, yet its tangible impact on protecting the Rohingya has been questioned.

Evidence gathered by human rights organizations, including testimony from survivors of massacres and documentation of systematic village destruction and denial of citizenship, has been presented to international bodies. Despite these efforts, the plight of the Rohingya has persisted, with many refugees in Bangladesh relying on minimal food assistance and a significant number dying or disappearing during sea escape attempts.

If the ICJ finds Myanmar responsible for genocide, it would mark a historic moment, being the first state held accountable for genocide by the court in its 80-year history. The upcoming OIC foreign ministers' meeting on October 17 in Baghdad presents a critical juncture for these nations to demonstrate that their support extends beyond diplomatic statements.

The author, Executive Director of The Burma Human Rights Network, emphasizes that while welcoming the ruling and issuing renewed promises of accountability are expected, such actions alone will not safeguard the Rohingya. He calls on OIC governments to take concrete steps, such as refusing the forced repatriation of Rohingya to Myanmar and offering protection to those who arrive in their territories.

The Rohingya survivors who provided testimony at the ICJ did so with the trust that their harrowing experiences would lead to meaningful action. Many continue to live in precarious conditions, highlighting the gap between the legal processes underway and the immediate needs of the displaced population.

For years, human rights advocates have worked to meticulously document atrocities, believing that presenting evidence to institutions with the power to act would yield results. The impending ICJ verdict serves as a crucial test of whether these institutional mechanisms, bolstered by the political will of nations like those within the OIC, can finally provide tangible protection and justice for the Rohingya.

The international community, and particularly Muslim-majority nations, now face the imperative to translate their stated solidarity into effective policies and actions that can alter the trajectory of the Rohingya crisis and ensure accountability for past and ongoing violations.