An Argentine court has issued international arrest warrants for 22 Myanmar military officials and three civilians involved in the genocide against the Rohingya. This decision is based on the principle of universal jurisdiction and includes key figures like Min Aung Hlaing. The ruling follows testimonies from survivors and complements ongoing legal actions at the ICC and ICJ. The move is welcomed by the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK as a historic step towards justice.
On Thursday, an Argentine court issued international arrest warrants for 22 military officials and three civilians from Myanmar, holding them accountable for their alleged involvement in the genocide against the Rohingya community. Among those named are high-ranking officials, including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Soe Win. They face charges that encompass genocide, aggravated murder, sexual abuse, and torture under Argentinian law.
This ruling stems from Argentina’s commitment to investigating crimes against humanity worldwide based on the principle of universal jurisdiction. The case was sparked in 2019 by the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) and its president, Tun Khin, supported by legal representative Tomás Ojea Quintana. Additionally, six female Rohingya survivors contributed personal testimonies that detailed horrific violence experienced during military operations in Rakhine State in 2017.
The issuance of these arrest warrants follows a recent request from International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan for the apprehension of Min Aung Hlaing. The Argentine ruling necessitates an automatic request to INTERPOL for red notices to be disseminated across its 196 member states, opening possibilities for the accused’s detention and extradition, though compliance by Myanmar is doubtful given its current political circumstances.
Since the military coup in February 2021, the junta has escalated repression against its citizens, resulting in thousands of deaths and detentions of political dissenters. The Rohingya remain under intense threat, with the condition in Rakhine State deteriorating amid renewed armed conflict, leading to increasing warnings from international organizations about their plight.
Argentina’s legal actions align with other global efforts against Myanmar’s military, including ongoing proceedings at the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where The Gambia continues to pursue genocide allegations against Myanmar. The ruling from Argentina has been praised by BROUK, who emphasized its significance for the Rohingya and other oppressed communities. Tun Khin remarked on the ruling, stating, “This is a historic step towards justice for Rohingya and everyone in Burma suffering under the Burmese military … This courageous decision sends a clear signal that no one is above the law. These perpetrators will eventually have to stand trial for the unspeakable suffering they have inflicted.”
The Argentine court’s issuance of arrest warrants for Myanmar military officials marks a significant development in the global pursuit of justice for the Rohingya community. This action exemplifies Argentina’s commitment to universal jurisdiction in addressing crimes against humanity. Despite the challenges posed by Myanmar’s current political landscape, the decision sends a powerful message regarding accountability for perpetrators of genocide.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
