Wed Nov 27 11:51:31 UTC 2024: ## ICC Seeks Arrest Warrant for Myanmar’s Military Leader Over Rohingya Crimes

**The Hague, Netherlands –** The International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, has requested an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, for crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The charges stem from the 2017 ethnic cleansing campaign that forced nearly a million Rohingya into neighboring Bangladesh, involving mass killings, rapes, and the destruction of homes.

Khan, speaking from a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, stated his intention to seek further warrants for other Myanmar leaders. He emphasized that the international community has not forgotten the Rohingya and that they deserve the protection of the law.

The allegations center on the military’s 2017 counterinsurgency campaign, with Hlaing accused of directing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar armed forces) and national police to attack Rohingya civilians. The request follows a recent surge in atrocities against the Rohingya, echoing those of seven years ago.

Human rights groups lauded the move, highlighting that the Rohingya crisis has received less attention amidst other global conflicts. Zin Mar Aung, foreign minister for Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government, urged the ICC judges to swiftly issue the warrant and called upon governments to enforce it.

While Myanmar is not a member of the ICC, Bangladesh is. The court previously ruled that it could investigate crimes committed on the territory of a member state, paving the way for this prosecution. The request comes days after a rebel group seized a key trading town in northeastern Myanmar, further destabilizing the military-led government.

The ICC judges will now review the evidence before deciding whether to issue the warrant. While there is no set deadline, the decision will be closely watched as a potential step towards accountability for the atrocities against the Rohingya. A separate case alleging genocide against the Rohingya is also underway at the International Court of Justice.

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