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)
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– How does the ICC’s pursuit of justice for the Rohingya challenge the principle of state sovereignty?
## Seeking Justice: An Interview on the ICC’s Rohingya Case
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to seek an arrest warrant for the head of Myanmar’s junta, in connection with crimes against the Rohingya minority. To help us understand the implications of this development, we’re joined by Dr. Alex Reed, an expert on international law and human rights. Welcome, Dr. Alex Reed.
**Dr. Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Can you give our viewers some context about the situation in Myanmar and the persecution of the Rohingya people?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** Certainly. The Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim minority group who have faced systematic persecution in Myanmar for decades. In 2017, a brutal military crackdown led to the displacement of over 700,000 Rohingya, who fled to neighboring Bangladesh. Credible reports document widespread atrocities, including killings, rape, and the burning of villages. [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/27/asia/myanmar-icc-seek-arrest-warrant-junta-intl-latam/index.html)]
**Host:** So, what are the grounds for the ICC’s request for an arrest warrant?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** The ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan, argues that there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the head of Myanmar’s junta bears individual criminal responsibility for the crimes committed against the Rohingya. This includes allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The ICC’s mandate allows it to prosecute individuals for the most serious crimes when national legal systems are unable or unwilling to do so.
**Host:** What does this mean for the leader of Myanmar’s junta?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** While the arrest warrant is a significant step towards holding those responsible accountable, its practical implications are complex. Myanmar is not a member of the ICC, and the junta is unlikely to cooperate with the court.
However, the arrest warrant carries symbolic weight and could lead to further international pressure on the junta to end the violence against the Rohingya. It also sends a clear message that the international community will not tolerate impunity for such egregious crimes.
**Host:** Thank you so much for shedding light on this important issue, Dr. Alex Reed.
**Dr. Alex Reed:** It’s my pleasure.
