International Criminal Court Asks for Arrest Warrant for Myanmar’s Junta Chief
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has asked judges to grant an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, over alleged crimes against humanity committed against Rohingya Muslims.
First Application for Arrest Warrant
This is the first application for an arrest warrant against a high-level Myanmar government official in connection with abuses against the Rohingya people. Khan’s request to the court’s Hague-based judges is a significant step towards holding Myanmar’s military accountable for its actions.
Crimes Against Humanity
Khan has concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Senior General and Acting President Min Aung Hlaing bears criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity, including crimes of deportation and persecution, allegedly committed between 25 August and 31 December 2017.
Investigation Findings
The ICC prosecutor in 2019 opened a probe into suspected crimes committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar’s restive Rakhine state in 2016 and 2017, which prompted the exodus of 750,000 of the Muslim minority in the southeast Asian country to neighbouring Bangladesh. About one million Rohingya now live in sprawling camps near the Bangladesh border city of Cox’s Bazaar. Many of those who left accuse the Myanmar military of mass killings and rapes.
More Will Follow
Khan warned that "more will follow" if the court grants the arrest warrant, hinting that other high-level Myanmar government officials may also face charges in the future.
Myanmar’s Ongoing Conflict
Myanmar has been racked by conflict between the military and various armed groups opposed to its rule since the army ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021. The junta is reeling from a major rebel offensive last year that seized a large area of territory, much of it near the border with China.
China’s Involvement
China, a major ally and arms supplier of Myanmar’s ruling junta, is not an ICC member. This raises questions about the court’s ability to take action against Min Aung Hlaing if he travels to China.
ICC’s Role
The ICC is an independent court, set up to investigate and prosecute those accused of the world’s worst crimes. Khan’s request comes just days after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his ex defence minister, and a top Hamas leader over the war in Gaza.
Rights Groups Respond
Rights groups have applauded Khan’s Myanmar move, saying it is "an important step toward breaking the cycle of abuses and impunity that has long been a key factor in fuelling the military’s mass violations." They urge ICC member countries to recognize the court’s critical role in bringing perpetrators to justice.
Conclusion
The International Criminal Court’s decision to ask for an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, is a significant step towards holding the country’s military accountable for its actions. The court’s investigation into the alleged crimes against the Rohingya is a crucial step towards breaking the cycle of impunity and bringing justice to those affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the International Criminal Court’s role in investigating crimes against humanity?
A: The ICC is an independent court, set up to investigate and prosecute those accused of the world’s worst crimes.
Q: What is the significance of the arrest warrant application against Min Aung Hlaing?
A: This is the first application for an arrest warrant against a high-level Myanmar government official in connection with abuses against the Rohingya people.
Q: What is the next step in the process?
A: The ICC judges must now decide whether to grant the arrest warrant. If granted, the 124 members of the ICC would theoretically be obliged to arrest the junta chief if he travels to their country.