THE HAGUE – The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced today on its intent to issue an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, for crimes against humanity, citing evidence of the systematic persecution and deportation of the Rohingya. The move follows extensive investigations into atrocities committed by Myanmar’s military, including evidence from the 2017 “clearance operations.”

Myanmar’s government dismissed the charges as baseless, asserting that the ICC lacks jurisdiction since the country is not a party to the Rome Statute. Observers note the military’s defiance and the challenges of enforcing such warrants, particularly in nations resistant to international scrutiny. (zai)