Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyii has arrived at the Hague for the hearing of a genocide case filed by the Gambia, The Guardian has reported.
She is widely expected to mount a spirited defence for her country's military accused of engaging in atrocities against the Rohingya that have shocked the world.
Aung San Suu Kyi will be given time to address the court not until Wednesday. Human rights activists have strongly accused her of turning a blind eye to the plight of the Rohingya who have been forced to flee.
The Myanmar leader has disputed the accounts of genocidal atrocities perpetrated allegedly by the military, saying the operations were a legitimate counter-terrorism effort.
International Commission of Jurists' Commissioner Reed Brody told Aljazeera that Aung San Suu Kyii presence at the court was an unprecedented development.
"Legally it could be counterproductive for Suu Kyi to assume such a role since it looks like she is politicising the case, " Reed Brody is quoted.
"The ICJ oozes tradition and diplomatic protocol and I doubt the judges will be impressed by tour groups arriving from Myanmar to support the government, " he added.
The de facto Myanmar leader was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her work in championing for human rights in her country then known as Burma.