ICC’s 1st Bold Move over Rohingya issue

ICC’s 1st Bold Move over Rohingya issue – Arrest Warrant for Myanmar’s Leader: ICC Seeks Arrest Warrant for Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing Over Rohingya Atrocities- In a major move towards justice, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has sought an arrest warrant against Myanmar’s Senior General and Acting President Min Aung Hlaing. The announcement, made on Wednesday, follows an extensive investigation into the 2016-2017 violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar’s Rakhine province.

Charges Against Min Aung Hlaing                               ……..Rohingya issue

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that Min Aung Hlaing bears criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity, including deportation and persecution of the Rohingya people. These crimes were committed between August 25 and December 31, 2017, by Myanmar’s armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, in coordination with police, border guards, and certain non-Rohingya civilians.

Min Aung Hlaing has been in power since February 2021, following a military coup that overthrew Myanmar’s elected government and led to the detention of hundreds of political leaders, activists, and officials.

Atrocities Committed Against Rohingya

The violence forced over one million Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, with reports documenting grave human rights abuses, including:

• Systematic killings of approximately 10,000 Rohingya men, women, children, and newborns.

• Widespread sexual violence, including rape against Rohingya women and girls.

• The burning of more than 300 villages.

The brutal campaign was described by former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.”

First Arrest Warrant – More to Come

According to Karim Khan, this is the first arrest warrant request against a high-level Myanmar official, with more applications expected to follow. The case is built on extensive evidence, including insider testimonies, documents, scientific reports, and visual materials, gathered with the support of states, civil society, and international organizations.

Khan also acknowledged the crucial role of the Rohingya community, the Government of Bangladesh, and the UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) in supporting the investigation.

Rohingya Voices at the Center of Justice

During visits to Cox’s Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh, Khan engaged with Rohingya survivors, activists, and elders, reaffirming the ICC’s commitment to justice.

“Our work seeks to vindicate their resilience and their hope in the power of the law,” he said. His office had earlier announced plans to accelerate investigations and allocate more resources to ensure progress.

No One Above the Law

Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the IIMM, emphasized the significance of the arrest warrant request, stating that it sends a strong message that “no one stands above the law.”

The IIMM was established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2018 to gather evidence of serious crimes in Myanmar since 2011, supporting potential prosecutions at national and international levels.

Next Steps

The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I judges will now review the evidence and decide whether to issue the arrest warrant. If approved, the ICC Prosecutor will work with the ICC Registrar to coordinate efforts for Min Aung Hlaing’s arrest.

Khan reaffirmed his commitment to justice for the Rohingya, promising further legal actions in the coming months.

“We will demonstrate that the Rohingya have not been forgotten. Like all people, they deserve the protection of the law.”

About the ICC

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent judicial institution established under the Rome Statute, which was adopted in 1998 and came into force in 2002. While not part of the United Nations, the ICC cooperates closely with it to ensure accountability for serious international crimes when national justice systems fail to act.

About Advocate Dhanwanti Rai

Advocate Dhanwanti Rai is a distinguished legal professional based in Delhi with over 17 years of experience. She specializes in property, banking, matrimonial, and family law, making her a top choice for property and divorce matters. Additionally, she is a leading corporate lawyer adept at handling complex corporate legal issues. As an expert arbitrator for financial institutions, she is widely sought after for her impartiality. She has also provided POSH training for various corporates, reinforcing her commitment to promoting safe workplaces. Advocate Rai serves as a trusted counselor for corporate, civil, women-related, and marital issues while managing an efficient team facilitating seamless marriage registrations in Delhi NCR.