Argentina Issues Arrest Warrants for Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar Leaders Over Rohingya Genocide

An Argentine court has issued arrest warrants for Aung San Suu Kyi and other former Myanmar leaders. They face allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya minority. The case was filed under Argentina’s “universal jurisdiction” law, which allows courts to prosecute severe crimes like war crimes and genocide, no matter where they happened.

Rohingya Advocacy Group Filed Case

A Rohingya rights group took legal action in Argentina. Their complaint led to the court’s decision, as reported by AFP on Friday. The court ordered the arrest of Myanmar’s current junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, former president Htin Kyaw, and Suu Kyi. She served as state counselor from 2016 until the 2021 coup. Critics accuse her of failing to prevent the atrocities against the Rohingya.

Global Investigations Already Underway

International courts are already investigating these crimes. The International Criminal Court is examining Min Aung Hlaing’s role. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice, the UN’s top tribunal, is reviewing a genocide case against Myanmar. Amnesty International reports that Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim community has lived under an apartheid-like system in the Buddhist-majority country.

Rohingya Fled Violence in 2017

In 2017, mass violence forced thousands of Rohingya to escape. Many fled to Bangladesh, where nearly a million live in refugee camps. Others sought safety in Malaysia. Myanmar has faced turmoil since the 2021 coup, which triggered clashes with ethnic rebels and led to the formation of anti-junta “People’s Defense Forces.”

Judge Cites Crimes Against Humanity

On Thursday, Judge María Servini issued her ruling. She stated that the allegations involve “crimes that violate human rights recognized in various international criminal law instruments.” She added that Myanmar’s military and political leaders committed “genocide and crimes against humanity.”

A Move Toward Justice

Argentina has used universal jurisdiction before. It investigated crimes under Francisco Franco’s dictatorship in Spain. In December, an Argentine judge also ordered the arrest of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega for human rights violations. However, no foreign nationals have been prosecuted under this principle yet.

Still, Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, welcomed the ruling. He called it an “historic step towards justice for Rohingya and everyone in Burma suffering under the Burmese military.” He also said it was “a victory for international justice at a time of growing violations of international law worldwide.”

Next Steps in the Legal Process

Lawyer Tomas Ojea Quintana represents the Rohingya plaintiffs in Argentina. He said the next step is for prosecutors to review the ruling. They will notify Interpol, which can issue international arrest warrants.