Long road to Myanmar tribunal
Hurdles ahead as probe calls for generals’ prosecution
Bangkok — A UN probe has called for Myanmar’s military leaders to face justice for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya, but the road to a tribunal will be long and complex, with China likely to block any prosecution of its ally at the International Criminal Court. According to a damning report by a UN fact-finding mission on Monday, members of Myanmar’s armed forces, including military chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing, should be prosecuted for their roles in expelling about 700,000 Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh. Refugees have recounted widespread stories of rape, murder and arson by security forces as they were driven from their homes. The report was the most serious step towards accountability in the crisis to date but experts warn of major legal and diplomatic obstacles ahead. For proceedings to begin, the UN Security Council needs to refer Myanmar to the court in The Hague. But geopolitics is likely to get in the way with China and Russia — which last we...
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