ICC Seeks Arrest Warrant for Myanmar Military Leader over Rohingya Crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested judges to issue an arrest warrant for Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s military leader, for crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Hlaing, who seized power in a 2021 coup, is accused of orchestrating the persecution and deportation of the Rohingya, resulting in nearly a million people fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh.

The charges stem from a military-led counterinsurgency campaign that began in August 2017, which was reportedly aimed at responding to an insurgent attack. The campaign involved mass killings, rapes, and the burning of homes, actions that have been widely described as ethnic cleansing.

Karim Khan, the ICC’s chief prosecutor, announced the request from Bangladesh, where he met with displaced Rohingya refugees. He emphasized that the ICC’s pursuit of justice sends a message that the Rohingya have not been forgotten and are entitled to legal protection. Although Myanmar is not a member of the ICC, Bangladesh is, and judges ruled in 2018 that crimes committed on its territory, such as forced deportation, could be investigated.

Khan’s request follows a 2019 ruling that authorized investigations into crimes committed by Myanmar’s military in Bangladesh and beyond. The ICC also has the potential to pursue charges related to the wider context of the Rohingya crisis.

The request for an arrest warrant comes amid ongoing instability in Myanmar, where recent clashes with rebel groups have led to military setbacks. Additionally, in 2022, the International Court of Justice advanced a case against Myanmar for alleged genocide against the Rohingya, supported by several European countries and Canada.