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 are the potential legal obstacles to the ICC prosecuting the head of Myanmar’s junta?
## Seeking Justice for the Rohingya: An Interview
**Host:** We are joined today by Dr. [Guest Name], a renowned expert on human rights and international law, to discuss the recent news from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Prosecutor Karim Khan has requested an arrest warrant for the head of Myanmar’s junta. Dr. [Guest Name], can you tell us more about this development?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Absolutely. This is a significant step towards holding those responsible for the persecution of the Rohingya accountable. The ICC Prosecutor argues that there is enough evidence to believe that the junta leader committed war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya population.
**Host:** Can you elaborate on the nature of the alleged crimes?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** The Rohingya people have faced horrifying atrocities, including mass killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of their homes and villages. This persecution, which began in August 2017, forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, creating a major refugee crisis.
**Host:** How does the ICC’s involvement impact this situation?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** The ICC’s intervention sends a powerful message that these crimes will not go unpunished. While Myanmar is not a member state, the ICC can still exercise jurisdiction since the alleged crimes fall under its mandate. This arrest warrant, if issued, could lead to the Junta leader’s trial at the Hague, setting a precedent for justice in international conflicts.
**Host:** What are the potential challenges in pursuing this case?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** There will certainly be obstacles. Gaining custody of the Junta leader will be difficult, given Myanmar’s unwillingness to cooperate with the ICC. It’s also a complex legal process that could take years to unfold.
**Host:** Despite these challenges, what message does this development send to the Rohingya people?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** This news offers a glimmer of hope to the Rohingya people who have been denied justice for far too long. It reaffirms the international community’s commitment to ending impunity for mass atrocities and holding perpetrators accountable, no matter how powerful they may be.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. [Guest Name], for your insightful analysis. [ [[1](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/international-criminal-court-prosecutor-seeks-arrest-warrant-myanmar-military-2024-11-27/)]
