The move follows a wide-ranging investigation by the ICC into Myanmar’s military violence against the minority Muslim Rohingya community in Rakhine state in 2016 and 2017, which was announced on Wednesday.
“My office has concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Myanmar and, in part, Bangladesh are responsible for the deportation and persecution of the Rohingya,” ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement. Offense against.”
The charges are based on alleged crimes committed by Myanmar’s armed forces, also known as the Tatmadaw, between 25 August and 31 December 2017 involving police forces, border guards and some non-Rohingya people.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been in power since February 2021, when the military seized power in a coup that overthrew the country’s elected government and arrested hundreds of officials, political leaders and activists.
Countless cases of atrocities
During the events that forced more than one million Rohingya from their homes to seek refuge in Bangladesh, there are countless stories of atrocities, including the systematic killing of nearly 10,000 Rohingya men, women, children and infants.
There were horrific reports of gender-based violence against women and girls, including rape and sexual violence, and more than 300 villages were burned to the ground.
Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called the brutal military operation “a perfect example of ethnic cleansing”.
First application, more applications
“This is the first application that my office has filed for an arrest warrant against a high-level Myanmar government official. More applications will be made,” said ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan.
The application filed by Prosecutor Karim Khan is based on extensive evidence, including witness testimony, documentary evidence, and scientific and visual material collected from across the country and abroad with the help of the province, civil society and international organizations.
Karim Khan praised the Rohingya community’s “confidence and strong commitment” in filing the petition.
He also said that the assistance of the United Nations Independent Investigation Mechanism (IIMM) is also essential for the Government of Bangladesh and Myanmar to take the investigation forward.
Foundation of Rohingya voice
Prosecutor Karim Khan also recounted his visit to the refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, located in southern Bangladesh, where he spoke to survivors, youth activists and elders who shared their stories and demanded justice.
“Our work at the International Criminal Court seeks to vindicate their resilience and hope in the power of the law,” he said.
Karim Khan, during his first visit to Cox’s Bazar in February 2022, announced plans to expedite investigations and provide additional resources.
He emphasized that today’s events demonstrate the strength of that renewed focus.
Next step
The decision to issue a warrant for the arrest of Myanmar’s senior military general now rests with the judges of the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I, who will determine what evidence is needed to proceed. If approved by the judges, prosecutors will work with the ICC Registrar to coordinate efforts to arrest Min Aung Hlaing.
Karim Khan reiterated his commitment to justice for the Rohingya and promised to submit additional applications in the coming months.
“We will work together with all our partners to ensure that the Rohingya people are not forgotten,” he said. “And they, like all people in the world, are entitled to the protection of the law.”