Mike Becker
@mikebecker.bsky.social
Assistant Professor (Trinity College Dublin, School of Law). Public International Law, International Courts and Tribunals, ICJ, ITLOS, International Human Rights Law, Fact-Finding and Inquiry, Law of the Sea
Round 1 of #TheGambia v #Myanmar saw a sustained attack by Myanmar on the credibility of UN fact-finding reports. The situation underscores the potential value in the ICJ hearing directly from the fact-finders, an issue I discussed on @ejiltalk.bsky.social in 2019. www.ejiltalk.org/the-challeng...
January 25, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Round 1 of #TheGambia v #Myanmar saw a sustained attack by Myanmar on the credibility of UN fact-finding reports. The situation underscores the potential value in the ICJ hearing directly from the fact-finders, an issue I discussed on @ejiltalk.bsky.social in 2019. www.ejiltalk.org/the-challeng...
Reposted by Mike Becker
Before the ICJ began its public hearings in Gambia v. Myanmar, I planned to write a technical piece about the role of party presentation in the Court's genocide cases.
To my surprise, it turns out that the whole case may turn on it.
My latest @justsecurity.org
To my surprise, it turns out that the whole case may turn on it.
My latest @justsecurity.org
Myanmar appears to have changed its position in Gambia v. Myanmar, a historic genocide case before the International Court of Justice.
Its apparent change in position may prove decisive, writes @adhaque.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/128795/provi...
Its apparent change in position may prove decisive, writes @adhaque.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/128795/provi...
Proving Genocide: Party Presentation
Myanmar's apparent change in its position in Gambia v. Myanmar, a historic genocide case before the ICJ, may prove decisive.
www.justsecurity.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Before the ICJ began its public hearings in Gambia v. Myanmar, I planned to write a technical piece about the role of party presentation in the Court's genocide cases.
To my surprise, it turns out that the whole case may turn on it.
My latest @justsecurity.org
To my surprise, it turns out that the whole case may turn on it.
My latest @justsecurity.org
It was a real privilege to serve as the discussant for a great talk by Rick Lorenz of the Public International Law & Policy Group yesterday at @tcddublin.bsky.social: "Murder on the High Seas:? The Legal and Ethical Implications of US Attacks on Alleged Drug Traffickers".
January 14, 2026 at 1:07 PM
It was a real privilege to serve as the discussant for a great talk by Rick Lorenz of the Public International Law & Policy Group yesterday at @tcddublin.bsky.social: "Murder on the High Seas:? The Legal and Ethical Implications of US Attacks on Alleged Drug Traffickers".
#Rohingya case: Very interesting to learn that the sole expert to be called by #TheGambia next week at the #ICJ is Prof. Michael Newton from Vanderbilt Law School, with testimony on how the 2016-17 clearance operations cannot reasonably be called counterterrorism. law.vanderbilt.edu/bio/michael-...
January 12, 2026 at 10:16 AM
#Rohingya case: Very interesting to learn that the sole expert to be called by #TheGambia next week at the #ICJ is Prof. Michael Newton from Vanderbilt Law School, with testimony on how the 2016-17 clearance operations cannot reasonably be called counterterrorism. law.vanderbilt.edu/bio/michael-...
One reason why the opening of the #ICJ hearing in #TheGambia v #Myanmar this morning is remarkable: When The Gambia filed the case in 2019, there was no guarantee it would be willing to stay the course and see the case through (arguably a heightened risk for cases brought by non-injured states).
With the #ICJ hearing in #TheGambia v #Myanmar kicking off on Monday, I put together some thoughts over at @verfassungsblog.de on key issues to consider for those following this important #GenocideConvention case. A quick summary. verfassungsblog.de/the-rohingya...
The Rohingya Case Gets a Hearing
verfassungsblog.de
January 12, 2026 at 8:02 AM
One reason why the opening of the #ICJ hearing in #TheGambia v #Myanmar this morning is remarkable: When The Gambia filed the case in 2019, there was no guarantee it would be willing to stay the course and see the case through (arguably a heightened risk for cases brought by non-injured states).
Reposted by Mike Becker
The US Supreme Court just granted cert in Cisco v. Doe on (1) whether the Alien Tort Statute allows aiding and abetting claims & (2) whether the TVPA does.
The case could strike a major blow to human rights law.
For deep background on the law, read this article: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
The case could strike a major blow to human rights law.
For deep background on the law, read this article: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
January 10, 2026 at 3:14 PM
The US Supreme Court just granted cert in Cisco v. Doe on (1) whether the Alien Tort Statute allows aiding and abetting claims & (2) whether the TVPA does.
The case could strike a major blow to human rights law.
For deep background on the law, read this article: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
The case could strike a major blow to human rights law.
For deep background on the law, read this article: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Mike Becker
The ICJ begins oral hearings in The Gambia v Myanmar on 12 January.
MICHAEL A. BECKER looks ahead to what is at stake as the Court hears arguments on genocidal intent, fact-finding, and remedies in its first genocide case brought by a non-injured state.
verfassungsblog.de/the-rohingya...
MICHAEL A. BECKER looks ahead to what is at stake as the Court hears arguments on genocidal intent, fact-finding, and remedies in its first genocide case brought by a non-injured state.
verfassungsblog.de/the-rohingya...
January 10, 2026 at 12:39 PM
The ICJ begins oral hearings in The Gambia v Myanmar on 12 January.
MICHAEL A. BECKER looks ahead to what is at stake as the Court hears arguments on genocidal intent, fact-finding, and remedies in its first genocide case brought by a non-injured state.
verfassungsblog.de/the-rohingya...
MICHAEL A. BECKER looks ahead to what is at stake as the Court hears arguments on genocidal intent, fact-finding, and remedies in its first genocide case brought by a non-injured state.
verfassungsblog.de/the-rohingya...
Reposted by Mike Becker
In a few months, we've progressed from snuff films of the US military killing civilians at sea to a snuff film of paramilitary secret police killing a mom in Minnesota—in both situations bogusly invoking "terrorism."
One of the obvious concerns about the administration's killing spree at sea was that if the US government would lawlessly kill people on the high seas just because the administration spuriously labeled them as "terrorists", it might do so elsewhere—including in the United States.
January 9, 2026 at 7:14 PM
In a few months, we've progressed from snuff films of the US military killing civilians at sea to a snuff film of paramilitary secret police killing a mom in Minnesota—in both situations bogusly invoking "terrorism."
With the #ICJ hearing in #TheGambia v #Myanmar kicking off on Monday, I put together some thoughts over at @verfassungsblog.de on key issues to consider for those following this important #GenocideConvention case. A quick summary. verfassungsblog.de/the-rohingya...
The Rohingya Case Gets a Hearing
verfassungsblog.de
January 9, 2026 at 12:40 PM
With the #ICJ hearing in #TheGambia v #Myanmar kicking off on Monday, I put together some thoughts over at @verfassungsblog.de on key issues to consider for those following this important #GenocideConvention case. A quick summary. verfassungsblog.de/the-rohingya...
I joined Morning Ireland on @rteone.rte.ie today to talk #Greenland & #Venezuela, the return of gunboat diplomacy and a US focus on regional dominance that amounts to a continuing and dangerous repudiation of the post-1945 world order, with no end in sight. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
US says military use 'always an option' for acquiring Greenland
Michael Becker, Assistant Professor of International Human Rights Law at Trinity College Dublin, assesses the latest situation in Venezuela after President Maduro's ousting and the ramifications for G...
www.rte.ie
January 7, 2026 at 11:13 AM
I joined Morning Ireland on @rteone.rte.ie today to talk #Greenland & #Venezuela, the return of gunboat diplomacy and a US focus on regional dominance that amounts to a continuing and dangerous repudiation of the post-1945 world order, with no end in sight. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Also notable: ICJ will hear from fact witnesses (closed session) an an expert witness. Will be very interesting to see what type of expert, especially if #TheGambia is calling a member of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on #Myanmar (since they rely so extensively on its reports).
Six years after #TheGambia instituted #ICJ proceedings against #Myanmar under the #GenocideConvention, the Court will hold the oral hearing next month (www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...). Notably, it won't allow the 11 intervening states to participate, per recently-amended Art 86 of the Rules.
www.icj-cij.org
December 19, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Also notable: ICJ will hear from fact witnesses (closed session) an an expert witness. Will be very interesting to see what type of expert, especially if #TheGambia is calling a member of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on #Myanmar (since they rely so extensively on its reports).
Six years after #TheGambia instituted #ICJ proceedings against #Myanmar under the #GenocideConvention, the Court will hold the oral hearing next month (www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...). Notably, it won't allow the 11 intervening states to participate, per recently-amended Art 86 of the Rules.
www.icj-cij.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Six years after #TheGambia instituted #ICJ proceedings against #Myanmar under the #GenocideConvention, the Court will hold the oral hearing next month (www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...). Notably, it won't allow the 11 intervening states to participate, per recently-amended Art 86 of the Rules.
I am very pleased to see that the #ICJ has taken the decision to amend its rules to facilitate publishing party reports on the implementation of provisional measures. This is a common sense reform that I have been advocating for since 2020 (opiniojuris.org/2020/08/25/r...).
December 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I am very pleased to see that the #ICJ has taken the decision to amend its rules to facilitate publishing party reports on the implementation of provisional measures. This is a common sense reform that I have been advocating for since 2020 (opiniojuris.org/2020/08/25/r...).
Reposted by Mike Becker
A few comments on the current situation regarding SA’s case against Israel, with colleagues @mikebecker.bsky.social & Juliette McIntyre.
#GazaGenocide
www.middleeasteye.net/explainers/i...
#GazaGenocide
www.middleeasteye.net/explainers/i...
Israel’s genocide in Gaza: What happened to South Africa’s case at the ICJ?
A verdict may not come for at least another two years - why the delay?
www.middleeasteye.net
September 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
A few comments on the current situation regarding SA’s case against Israel, with colleagues @mikebecker.bsky.social & Juliette McIntyre.
#GazaGenocide
www.middleeasteye.net/explainers/i...
#GazaGenocide
www.middleeasteye.net/explainers/i...
Reposted by Mike Becker
Spoke with @washingtonpost.com about the absence of legal justification for the U.S. government’s premeditated killing of people aboard boats in the Caribbean.
“In essence, the President is asserting a license to kill outside the law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
“In essence, the President is asserting a license to kill outside the law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. kills 3 in another strike on ‘narcoterrorists’ vessel, Trump says
The strike marks the third such attack on boats alleged to be carrying illicit drugs this month. Experts have questioned the legality of the strikes.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 20, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Spoke with @washingtonpost.com about the absence of legal justification for the U.S. government’s premeditated killing of people aboard boats in the Caribbean.
“In essence, the President is asserting a license to kill outside the law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
“In essence, the President is asserting a license to kill outside the law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Some initial observations on yesterday’s report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Palestine and Israel, led by former UN High Commission for Human Rights Navi Pillay. #Gaza
September 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Some initial observations on yesterday’s report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Palestine and Israel, led by former UN High Commission for Human Rights Navi Pillay. #Gaza
It was great to present (w/Cecily Rose) on dialogue between ICJ judges & counsel at the Sixth Scottish Conference on International Law at the University of Glasgow this week. Many thanks to @jamesgdevaney.bsky.social, @cjtams.bsky.social, @matinapapadaki.bsky.social for hosting a marvelous event.
September 10, 2025 at 7:13 AM
It was great to present (w/Cecily Rose) on dialogue between ICJ judges & counsel at the Sixth Scottish Conference on International Law at the University of Glasgow this week. Many thanks to @jamesgdevaney.bsky.social, @cjtams.bsky.social, @matinapapadaki.bsky.social for hosting a marvelous event.
Reposted by Mike Becker
1/ I worked at DoD. I literally cannot imagine lawyers coming up with a legal basis for lethal strike of suspected Venezuelan drug boat.
Hard to see how this would not be "murder" or war crime under international law that DoD considers applicable.
Read expert analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social⤵️
Hard to see how this would not be "murder" or war crime under international law that DoD considers applicable.
Read expert analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social⤵️
Legal Issues Raised by a Lethal U.S. Military Attack in the Caribbean
The Trump administration’s extraordinary lethal attack on this purported smuggling vessel raises significant potential legal issues.
www.justsecurity.org
September 3, 2025 at 9:41 PM
1/ I worked at DoD. I literally cannot imagine lawyers coming up with a legal basis for lethal strike of suspected Venezuelan drug boat.
Hard to see how this would not be "murder" or war crime under international law that DoD considers applicable.
Read expert analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social⤵️
Hard to see how this would not be "murder" or war crime under international law that DoD considers applicable.
Read expert analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social⤵️
Some more reporting from on ICJ Judge Sebutinde's controversial remarks about 'standing on the side of Israel', with comments from me, @drnajimagi.bsky.social, and @sevslv.bsky.social. www.middleeasteye.net/news/after-r....
After recent comments, should Julia Sebutinde still serve on Israel cases at the ICJ?
Legal experts say that impartiality of world court's vice president may come under question after she said God was 'counting on' her to stand with Israel
www.middleeasteye.net
August 25, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Some more reporting from on ICJ Judge Sebutinde's controversial remarks about 'standing on the side of Israel', with comments from me, @drnajimagi.bsky.social, and @sevslv.bsky.social. www.middleeasteye.net/news/after-r....
Reposted by Mike Becker
Legal Tribune Online (@lto-de.bsky.social) hat 11 Völkerrechtsexperten gefragt, ob Israel in #Gaza einen Völkermord begeht.
Eindeutig bzgl 🇩🇪's Präventionspflicht.
Mit Analysen u.a. von @adhaque.bsky.social, @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social, @mikebecker.bsky.social and @itamann.bsky.social
Eindeutig bzgl 🇩🇪's Präventionspflicht.
Mit Analysen u.a. von @adhaque.bsky.social, @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social, @mikebecker.bsky.social and @itamann.bsky.social
August 16, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Legal Tribune Online (@lto-de.bsky.social) hat 11 Völkerrechtsexperten gefragt, ob Israel in #Gaza einen Völkermord begeht.
Eindeutig bzgl 🇩🇪's Präventionspflicht.
Mit Analysen u.a. von @adhaque.bsky.social, @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social, @mikebecker.bsky.social and @itamann.bsky.social
Eindeutig bzgl 🇩🇪's Präventionspflicht.
Mit Analysen u.a. von @adhaque.bsky.social, @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social, @mikebecker.bsky.social and @itamann.bsky.social
Happy to share my new publication in the Leiden Journal of International Law: "Recent developments in reliance upon third-party fact-finding at the International Court of Justice". Available here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal....
Recent developments in reliance upon third-party fact-finding at the International Court of Justice | Leiden Journal of International Law | Cambridge Core
Recent developments in reliance upon third-party fact-finding at the International Court of Justice
www.cambridge.org
August 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Happy to share my new publication in the Leiden Journal of International Law: "Recent developments in reliance upon third-party fact-finding at the International Court of Justice". Available here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal....
Legal Tribune Online (@lto-de.bsky.social) asked eleven scholars whether Israel's actions in #Gaza now meet the legal definition of genocide. I am quoted alongside @adhaque.bsky.social, @janinadill.bsky.social, @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social, @itamann.bsky.social and others. www.lto.de/recht/hinter...
International Law Experts: Genocide in Gaza?
Does Israel’s conduct in Gaza constitute genocide? LTO asked eleven international law experts. After 22 months of war, a clear tendency is emerging.
www.lto.de
August 15, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Legal Tribune Online (@lto-de.bsky.social) asked eleven scholars whether Israel's actions in #Gaza now meet the legal definition of genocide. I am quoted alongside @adhaque.bsky.social, @janinadill.bsky.social, @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social, @itamann.bsky.social and others. www.lto.de/recht/hinter...
Amidst the unending horrors of #Gaza, I spoke to
@davidmacredmond.bsky.social at @thejournal.ie about complicity in genocide & the distinct obligation of states to prevent genocide. There is no question that the 'serious risk' threshold (which triggers that duty) was met in Gaza a long time ago.
@davidmacredmond.bsky.social at @thejournal.ie about complicity in genocide & the distinct obligation of states to prevent genocide. There is no question that the 'serious risk' threshold (which triggers that duty) was met in Gaza a long time ago.
The conclusion that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza has been reached by some of the world’s most eminent scholars who study the crime of crimes.
http://jrnl.ie/6779851
http://jrnl.ie/6779851
Legality vs Reality: Could Western leaders face consequences for complicity in genocide?
A growing number of genocide scholars have accused Israel of committing the crime of crimes in Gaza.
jrnl.ie
August 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Amidst the unending horrors of #Gaza, I spoke to
@davidmacredmond.bsky.social at @thejournal.ie about complicity in genocide & the distinct obligation of states to prevent genocide. There is no question that the 'serious risk' threshold (which triggers that duty) was met in Gaza a long time ago.
@davidmacredmond.bsky.social at @thejournal.ie about complicity in genocide & the distinct obligation of states to prevent genocide. There is no question that the 'serious risk' threshold (which triggers that duty) was met in Gaza a long time ago.
One point to clarify about #SouthAfrica v #Israel at the #ICJ. The case is not really moving at a slower pace than other ICJ cases. It’s typical for ICJ cases to last 4-5 years & I don’t see any particular effort on the ICJ’s part to slow things down further due to nature of this case.
This is a good piece, featuring @mikebecker.bsky.social and @vukusiciva.bsky.social alongside yours truly www.theguardian.com/law/2025/jul...
‘Really cautious’: why the ICJ is delaying a Gaza genocide verdict
While civilians starve and global opinion hardens, judgment from international court may not come until 2027 – or later
www.theguardian.com
July 27, 2025 at 11:56 AM
One point to clarify about #SouthAfrica v #Israel at the #ICJ. The case is not really moving at a slower pace than other ICJ cases. It’s typical for ICJ cases to last 4-5 years & I don’t see any particular effort on the ICJ’s part to slow things down further due to nature of this case.
Reposted by Mike Becker
but don't forget: While the International Court of Justice answered legal questions, climate change and its consequences are everything but legal. International (environmental) law is a tool, not the answer. The most important passage of the advisory opinion are these non-legal statements below 👇
July 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
but don't forget: While the International Court of Justice answered legal questions, climate change and its consequences are everything but legal. International (environmental) law is a tool, not the answer. The most important passage of the advisory opinion are these non-legal statements below 👇