Myanmar Junta for Persecution of Rohingya Muslims”/>International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan is seeking an arrest warrant for the head of Myanmar’s junta over the deportation and persecution of Rohingya Muslims.
According to prosecutor Karim, these crimes were committed from 25 August to 31 December 2017 by the Myanmar Armed Forces, and supported by the national police, border police and non-Rohingya civilians.
“After a thorough, independent and impartial investigation, my Office has concluded that there are sufficient grounds to believe that Senior General and Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, Supreme Commander of the Myanmar Defense Forces, bears criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity of deportation and the persecution of the Rohingya, carried out in Myanmar, and partly in Bangladesh,” said Karim Khan.
Khan emphasized that the application was submitted based on various evidence from a number of sources such as witness statements, documentary evidence, as well as legitimate scientific materials, photos and videos. He added this was the first application for an arrest warrant against a top Myanmar government official filed by the prosecutor’s office.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Rohingya. More than one million members of their community were forced to flee violence in Myanmar,” said Khan.
“We thank all parties who have provided testimony and support to my Office, those who have shared their stories, those who have provided us with information and materials,” he said. (Anadolu/Ant/P-3)
#ICC #Arrests #Myanmar #Junta #Persecution #Rohingya #Muslims
What specific crimes against humanity is the ICC investigating against Senior General Min Aung Hlaing?
## News Interview: ICC Seeks Arrest Warrant for Myanmar Junta Leader
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. Now, in breaking news, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking an arrest warrant for the head of Myanmar’s junta, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, over allegations of crimes against humanity against the Rohingya Muslim minority. To discuss this development, we are joined by Dr. Sofia Rahman, a human rights lawyer with extensive experience working on Rohingya issues. Dr. Rahman, welcome to the show.
**Dr. Rahman:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** This news follows years of documented persecution against the Rohingya population. Can you elaborate on the specific crimes the ICC is investigating?
**Dr. Rahman:** Absolutely. The ICC’s focus, as stated on their website [[1](https://www.icc-cpi.int/bangladesh-myanmar)], is on alleged crimes against humanity, including deportation and persecution. These charges stem from the violent crackdown on Rohingya communities beginning in 2017, which forced hundreds of thousands to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh.
**Host:** What does this arrest warrant signify for the Rohingya people?
**Dr. Rahman:** This is a significant step towards accountability. For years, the Rohingya have been calling for justice for the atrocities they have faced. While the arrest warrant itself doesn’t automatically guarantee justice, it sends a clear message that the international community is taking these crimes seriously.
**Host:** However, Myanmar’s military junta is unlikely to cooperate with the ICC. What are the next steps in this process?
**Dr. Rahman:** The ICC will likely issue the warrant publicly, putting pressure on international actors to apprehend Min Aung Hlaing if he travels outside of Myanmar. It also sets the stage for future legal proceedings that could hold him responsible for these crimes. This is a long process, but this warrant is a crucial step towards justice for the Rohingya.
**Host:** Dr. Rahman, thank you for your insights on this important issue.
**Dr. Rahman:** It’s my pleasure.
