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 consequences for Myanmar’s junta if Min Aung Hlaing is arrested?
## Interview with Human Rights Activist on ICC Warrant for Myanmar’s Leader
**Host:** Joining us today is human rights activist Anya Sharma to discuss the groundbreaking news from the International Criminal Court. Anya, the ICC prosecutor has requested an arrest warrant for the head of Myanmar’s military junta, Min Aung Hlaing, over allegations of crimes against the Rohingya people. What are your thoughts on this development?
**Anya Sharma:** This is a historic moment. For years, the Rohingya people have suffered unspeakable atrocities at the hands of the Myanmar military. We’ve seen mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and the burning of entire Rohingya villages. The ICC taking this step sends a powerful message that these crimes will not go unpunished.
**Host:** Can you elaborate on the specific crimes that Min Aung Hlaing is being accused of?
**Anya Sharma:** The ICC prosecutor’s investigation focuses on the persecution of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group in Myanmar, which began with a brutal military crackdown in 2017. The evidence points towards systematic and widespread attacks clearly intended to drive the Rohingya out of Myanmar. This includes crimes against humanity and possibly even genocide.
**Host:** How significant is this warrant in the pursuit of justice for the Rohingya?
**Anya Sharma:** It’s incredibly significant. While an arrest warrant doesn’t automatically mean Min Aung Hlaing will be arrested and tried, it puts immense pressure on Myanmar’s junta and the international community. Countries have a legal obligation to cooperate with the ICC in arresting individuals subject to warrants. This warrant keeps the spotlight on the Rohingya crisis and forces the world to acknowledge the gravity of the situation.
**Host:** What are the next steps in this process, and what challenges might the ICC face in pursuing this case?
**Anya Sharma:** The ICC will have to work diligently to gather further evidence to build a strong case against Min Aung Hlaing. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of cooperation from the Myanmar junta, which refuses to recognize the ICC’s authority. The international community must put pressure on Myanmar and any nations harboring Min Aung Hlaing to ensure he faces justice.
**Host:** Anya, thank you for sharing your insights on this crucial issue. [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2nqg05pz9o)]
