The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has announced plans to seek an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority.
The charges stem from a violent crackdown launched in August 2017, which the United Nations has described as ethnic cleansing. During the campaign, over a million Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, fleeing mass killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of villages reportedly carried out by Myanmar’s military, police, and Buddhist civilians.
Myanmar’s government has denied the allegations, asserting that its military operations were a response to attacks by Rohingya militants.
Mohammed Zubair, a Rohingya researcher based in Bangladesh, described Min Aung Hlaing’s actions as genocide, condemning the widespread violence orchestrated under his leadership.
Nicholas Koumjian, a U.N. official, emphasized that issuing a warrant for Min Aung Hlaing would reinforce the principle that no one is above the law.
A panel of three ICC judges will now determine if there are “reasonable grounds” to proceed with charges against Min Aung Hlaing for crimes committed in Myanmar and Bangladesh. A decision is expected within three months.
This development comes amid mounting global scrutiny of the ICC, with some political resistance, including from the U.S., over its investigations into international figures, such as its recent warrant for Israeli leaders.