Will Myanmar’s junta chief face justice for crimes against Rohingya?

The International Criminal Court’s actions could serve to isolate Min Aung Hlaing, but analysts question whether he will be arrested

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Min Aung Hlaing pictured in 2018. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:30pm, 7 Dec 2024Updated: 3:45pm, 7 Dec 2024

As the world watches, an arrest warrant request for Myanmar’s junta chief at the International Criminal Court marks a crucial step towards justice for the persecuted Rohingya community, observers say – though as long as he remains in power, true accountability appears elusive.

Min Aung Hlaing likely “bears criminal responsibility for the crimes against humanity of deportation and persecution of the Rohingya”, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s office said in a statement on November 27, announcing the warrant request after an “an extensive, independent and impartial investigation”.

This followed the military’s brutal crackdown in 2017, which forced nearly 1 million Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh amid horrific reports of killings, torture, rape and arson.

In his statement, Khan said it was now up to the ICC judges to determine whether an arrest warrant should be issued. There’s just one complication: Myanmar’s military junta – the State Administration Council – rejects the court’s authority as the Southeast Asian nation is not a member state.

Once he is removed from office, he will face immediate justice

Ronan Lee, Myanmar researcher

This means that Min Aung Hlaing is unlikely to face justice as long as he clings to power, since he seldom leaves the country, according to Ronan Lee, a fellow at Loughborough University whose research focuses on Myanmar and the Rohingya.

“But once he is removed from office, he will face immediate justice,” Lee said, noting that this would also eliminate prolonged debates about how to pursue accountability after the junta’s fall.