Statement on International Criminal Court for Arrest Warrant for Myanmar Acting President Min Aung Hlaing

Justice For All is heartened by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan’s application for an arrest warrant for Senior General and Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services. The warrant is sought for crimes committed during the 2016-2017 waves of violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar/Burma against the Rohingya.

This application is a crucial step for Justice For All’s Burma Task Force in holding perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable for the ongoing genocide in Myanmar/Burma. It represents a significant victory for the Rohingya, their leaders and allies for the atrocities committed against their community. We welcome this decision by the ICC Prosecutor and his stated intention to issue more arrest warrants.

Since September 2012, Justice For All’s Burma Task Force has been working closely with Rohingya survivors to record, translate and archive their first-hand testimonies about the atrocities carried out against them. We have filed cases on behalf of 168 victims of the Burmese genocide against Rohingya at the ICC.

In addition to advancing the prosecution of this case in the ICC, Burma Task Force is also pursuing litigation against Myanmar through the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction. Universal Jurisdiction allows victims of unconscionable international crimes to redress against their oppressors, regardless of when or where such crimes have occurred. Past Burmese heads of state who oversaw mass pogroms against the Rohingya can potentially be brought to justice under the aegis of Universal Jurisdiction.

“We urge all states, party to the Rome Statute, to uphold their obligations, assist the ICC, and ensure that justice prevails,” stated Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, President of Justice For All. “This is not only about accountability; it is about preserving the international rule of law and world order.”

About Burma Task Force and Justice For All: The Burma Task Force is a coalition of 38 organizations led by Justice For All, a faith-based human rights organization accredited by the United Nations, which has been at the forefront of advocating for the Rohingya people since 2012, following the escalation of violence and displacement in Burma/Myanmar.