ICC Prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Myanmar’s leader over Rohingya crimes

Ansar Ahmed Ullah
Shottobani

The Hague-  The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan has filed an application for an arrest warrant against Myanmar’s Senior General and Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, alleging serious crimes against the Rohingya population during the 2017 crisis.

Following a comprehensive investigation spanning several years, the ICC Prosecutor’s office has concluded that there are substantial grounds to believe Min Aung Hlaing bears criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity, specifically deportation and persecution of the Rohingya.

The allegations centre on actions committed between 25 August and 31 December 2017 involving Myanmar’s armed forces (Tatmadaw), national police, border guard police, and non-Rohingya civilians. This marks the first such application against a high-ranking Myanmar government official, with Khan indicating more are forthcoming. The application is supported by extensive evidence, including witness testimonies, insider accounts, documentary evidence, scientific, photographic and video materials.

Khan emphasised the critical support received from various sources, particularly highlighting the Rohingya community’s cooperation and the support from the Bangladesh government and UN investigative mechanisms. In a poignant statement, Khan reflected on his recent visits to the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, where he met with Rohingya survivors who consistently demanded accountability and justice.

The next step lies with the ICC judges, who will determine whether the evidence meets the standard for issuing an arrest warrant. If approved, the court will coordinate efforts to arrest the named individual. The prosecutor underscored the broader mission of the investigation, stating that it aims to demonstrate that the Rohingya “have not been forgotten” and are “entitled to the protection of the law.”

This development represents a significant moment in international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis that has displaced over a million Rohingya from Myanmar since 2017.