July 2, 2024

The Global Justice Center (GJC), a human rights organization based in New York, has expressed strong support for Argentina’s request to issue arrest warrants for Myanmar’s military junta. This request pertains to crimes committed during the 2017 Rohingya genocide in Rakhine State, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. The move by the Argentine court marks a significant international effort to hold the Myanmar military accountable.

The application for these arrest warrants was filed on June 28, 2024, by Myanmar’s military and civilian leaders at the Federal Court in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK), emphasized the significance of this step, stating, “This is the first real chance to see arrest warrants issued for Min Aung Hlaing and other military leaders. If these warrants are issued, the Myanmar military will have no way to avoid accountability for their crimes.”

Michelle Onello, Senior Legal Adviser at GJC, highlighted the ongoing military offensives in Rakhine State and urged the international community to increase support for Myanmar’s pro-democracy efforts and end the junta’s impunity for human rights violations. “The international community must support the people of Myanmar in their fight for democracy and work to end the decades-long impunity of the Myanmar military,” she said.

Under the principle of universal jurisdiction, courts in any country can prosecute serious crimes like genocide, regardless of where they were committed. Argentina’s Federal Court in Buenos Aires is utilizing this principle to seek justice for the Rohingya genocide. The list of military leaders for whom arrest warrants have been requested includes:

• Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces
• Vice Senior General Soe Win, Deputy Commander-in-Chief
• Lieutenant General Aung Kyaw Zaw, former head of the Special Operations Command
• Major General Maung Maung Soe, former commander of the Western Command
• Brigadier General Aung Aung, former commander of the 33rd Light Infantry Division
• Police Colonel Khin Maung Soe
• Village Administrator Aung San Mya

Notably, the list also includes State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and former President Htin Kyaw, despite BROUK not requesting their arrest.

The arrest warrants, if issued, will serve as a critical measure in addressing the Myanmar military’s responsibility for the atrocities committed during the 2017 crackdown on the Rohingya, which resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands to Bangladesh.