The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan KC, has requested an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s Senior General and Acting President Min Aung Hlaing. The ICC accuses Min Aung Hlaing of crimes against humanity, including the deportation and persecution of the Rohingya people.
Over a million Rohingya were forced to flee Myanmar amid widespread violence, including reports of rape and other abuses. These crimes were allegedly committed between August and December 2017 during military operations led by Myanmar’s armed forces, the Tatmadaw.
Khan’s investigation concluded that Min Aung Hlaing holds criminal responsibility for these acts. Myanmar, however, denies committing crimes against humanity, insisting that its actions targeted Rohingya militants. Despite Myanmar’s non-signatory status with the ICC, jurisdiction is established because some of the crimes occurred in Bangladesh, a member state. The ICC prosecutor’s request aims to address these atrocities and reaffirm the Rohingya’s rights under international law.
Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing Faces ICC Arrest Warrant Request for Crimes Against Rohingya
Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnes Callamard, described Min Aung Hlaing as a central figure in Myanmar’s human rights crises. She pointed to his role in violent operations against the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017 and his leadership in the 2021 coup, which resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. Callamard commended the ICC prosecutor’s action as a significant step toward holding powerful figures accountable, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of justice.
The ICC is now tasked with deciding whether to issue the arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing. Meanwhile, Khan pledged to pursue additional warrants against other Myanmar leaders involved in similar crimes. His efforts aim to ensure the global community recognizes the atrocities committed against the Rohingya and strengthens the principle that everyone deserves legal protection, regardless of their circumstances.
This development highlights the ICC’s commitment to international justice and amplifies the call for accountability in Myanmar. It sends a message that crimes against humanity will not be ignored, and those responsible will be held to account. If successful, the arrest warrant would mark a significant step in seeking justice for the Rohingya and reaffirming international law’s role in addressing mass atrocities.
