The ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for the leader of Myanmar’s military government

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has requested an arrest warrant for Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s military regime, for crimes committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing is accused of crimes against humanity for forcing nearly a million Rohingya people into neighboring Bangladesh to escape ethnic cleansing, including mass rapes, killings, and the burning of homes. The prosecutor, Karim Khan, intends to request more warrants for Myanmar’s leaders soon to show that the Rohingya are entitled to the protection of the law. The allegations stem from a counterinsurgency campaign by Myanmar’s military in 2017, with Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing accused of directing attacks on Rohingya civilians. Myanmar is not a member of the International Criminal Court, but Bangladesh is, allowing investigations into crimes that have been completed on its territory, such as forcible deportation. The request for an arrest warrant comes amidst increased fighting in Myanmar following a military-led coup in 2021 and a separate case brought against Myanmar in the International Court of Justice by Gambia alleging genocide against the Rohingya. Five European countries and Canada have backed Gambia in the proceedings.

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