
Bi-weekly Update on the Current Situation in Myanmar
(1-12-2024 to 15-12-2024)
(46) months ago, on 1 February 2021, the military junta attempted an illegal coup, toppled the civilian government, and unlawfully detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other senior members of the civilian government, parliamentarians and activists. Since then, the military junta has ignored the will of the people of Myanmar, placed the country in turmoil, and made people suffer tremendously as a result of its inhumane and disproportionate acts.
As of 15 December 2024, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the military has ruthlessly killed 6,056 people and arrested another 27,888 people. 21,318 people remain in detention and 170 people have been sentenced to death, including 119 post-coup death row prisoners and 44 in absentia since 1 February 2021, when the military unleashed systematic and targeted attacks and violence against innocent civilians. Four democracy activists who were sentenced to death were executed by the military junta in July 2022.
Crimes committed Across Myanmar by the Junta Troops and its affiliates
Crimes perpetrated by the junta troops and its associates, militias across Myanmar include extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and the targeting of civilians, including children. These atrocities have led to widespread displacement, destruction of civilian properties, and a climate of fear and insecurity among the civilian population. The junta's widespread and systematic tactics of brutality are aimed at suppressing dissent and maintaining its grip on power, regardless of the human cost and violations of international law.
According to the data collected by AAPP, from December 1 to 15, 2024, (43) people in total; (19) women and (24) men, were killed by the junta across the country, including (6) children under the age of 18. The identities of these victims have been verified. Among (43) deceased, Mandalay Region recorded the highest number of fatalities with (12) victims, and (20) people were killed by the junta’s airstrikes making the highest cause of death.Â
War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and Mass Murders Committed by the Military Junta
Military Junta Airstrikes Kill 14 Civilians Including Children Across Myanmar
Myanmar Now reported that military junta airstrikes killed at least 14 civilians, including children, across multiple regions since 30 November 2024, demonstrating an escalating pattern of indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas.
In Pekhon Township, southern Shan State, a 14-year-old boy was killed and another injured when military junta aircraft struck Hseng Hkun Village around 3am on 3 December 2024, according to the Karenni Human Rights Group (KHRG). The attacks intensified as the military junta attempted to recapture Moebye, located 10 miles northwest of Loikaw. KHRG documented that military junta shelling last week killed six civilians near Moebye, including a teenage girl and two infants.
In northern Shan State's Kyaukme, military junta airstrikes killed 10 people and wounded over a dozen on 30 November. A local welfare organization member confirmed six victims were cremated, including four women and two volunteers. Four bodies remained unidentified due to severe damage.
In Taungup Township, Rakhine State, military junta air attacks on 1 December 2024 killed three people in Kha Yaing village, including children aged 12 and 17. Sources reported 18 civilians, including displaced persons seeking shelter, were wounded in the attack. The attacks occurred as the Arakan Army continues operations in Rakhine State, where it now controls 10 of 17 townships, plus Paletwa Township in Chin State, since beginning operations in November 2023.
Military Junta Airstrikes Kill Eight Civilians Including Three Children in Natogyi
Myanmar Now reported that military junta airstrikes killed eight civilians, including three children, in Natogyi Township, Mandalay Region since 2 December 2024, demonstrating a pattern of indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas. The first attack occurred on 2 December at Na Be Myit Village, approximately 12 miles northeast of Natogyi, when military junta aircraft targeted a Korean language school, killing two civilians.
On 3 December, military junta airstrikes killed an elderly woman and her 11-year-old grandchild in Kun Ohn Village. Additional attacks wounded two civilians in Thu Htay Kone Village, local sources confirmed. In a direct violation of international humanitarian law protecting religious sites and displaced persons, military junta aircraft bombed a monastery in Lone Taw village on Wednesday, killing an 11-year-old boy and wounding eight others, including a monk and internally displaced persons seeking shelter.
The most recent attack occurred on 5 December morning when military junta aircraft struck a toddy palm farm near Aung Pan Kone village, killing three civilians including a nine-year-old boy and his parents. Â Local sources reported that military junta troops regularly conduct artillery strikes on surrounding villages, even in areas without active conflict, demonstrating a pattern of targeting civilian populations.
Military Junta Airstrike Kills Family of Four in Chin State
Myanmar Now reported that military junta aircraft bombed a family home in Chuncung village, Chin State, killing four civilians including a teenager in the early hours of 4 December 2024. The attack occurred around 2:15am, approximately ten miles north of Hakha. Two young children from the family survived the attack. The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) reported at least 10 additional civilians were wounded.
A villager told Myanmar Now, speaking anonymously for security reasons, that they believed the military junta was targeting the school, but the bombs fell on other houses. The attack occurred despite no active ground fighting in the area, demonstrating a pattern of indiscriminate strikes on civilian areas.
Chuncung, home to approximately 300 households, previously suffered attacks in April 2023 when military junta troops burned down 40 houses following a battle nearby. While some residents plan to flee to nearby mountains fearing further airstrikes, others, particularly elderly villagers, face difficulties seeking shelter in forested areas. CHRO data revealed that since February 2021, the military junta has conducted over 500 airstrikes in Chin State, killing 108 civilians and wounding 231 others. The attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure including villages, schools, hospitals, and religious buildings, often far from conflict zones.
The Hakha Township Public Healthcare & IDPs Management Committee reported nearly 4,000 internally displaced persons are currently seeking refuge in Hakha due to ongoing military operations.
KNDF Reports Chemical Agent Use in Military Council Drone Strikes Along Karenni-Shan Border
The Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) reported today that the Myanmar Military Council has been using chemical agents in their recent drone strikes along the border areas of Karenni and Shan states.
According to the KNDF, Infantry Battalion 422, based outside Moe Bye Town, conducted drone strikes on 7 and 8 December 2024 using tablets labeled "S-PHOS 560" during their attacks on Moe Bye and surrounding areas.
The statement details that KNDF members who were exposed to the substances near the blast sites experienced symptoms including dizziness, vomiting, drowsiness, and numbness. The KNDF release included photographs of the S-PHOS 560 tablet casings used in the attacks. Investigation reveals these tablets contain aluminum phosphide, a chemical typically used as an agricultural pesticide.
In response to the situation, the KNDF has warned local residents to avoid out of curiosity examination of drone activity or approaching attack sites, advising them to seek shelter in secure locations. The organization noted ongoing clashes along the Pekon-Moe Bye-Loikaw highway, with the Military Council increasingly relying on drone strikes and chemical agents.
While resistance forces have previously reported chemical weapon used by the Military Council since the 2021 coup, independent verification of such claims has been challenging. The Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Myanmar reported similar chemical attacks last year, and in April, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)-led joint forces reported chemical weapon use during battles in Kawkareik.
The KNDF emphasized the growing risk to civilians as conflict intensifies in the region, particularly with the Military Council's expanding use of drone warfare and alleged chemical agents.
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Human Rights Abuses
Former Navy Serviceman Dies in Military Junta Custody Due to Inadequate Medical Care
A 34-year-old former navy serviceman, Pyae Sone Oo, died on 30 November 2024 in a Yangon prison after being sentenced to death by the military junta for joining the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) reported. Myanmar Now reported that Pyae Sone Oo, previously stationed at Thanlyin naval base, was among the first military personnel to join the CDM in opposition to the illegal seizure of power in February 2021. His remains were cremated on 2 December.
PPNM steering committee member Thike Tun Oo stated that unsafe drinking water with high lead levels in the prison led to kidney damage, contributing to Pyae Sone Oo's death. Records showed he suffered from kidney disease and pleural effusion for six months before his death. Following his participation in the CDM in March 2021, Pyae Sone Oo was arrested in Hlaing Tharyar Township on 27 August 2022. A military junta court sentenced him to death in September 2023 under multiple charges including the Defence Services Act and Counter-Terrorism Law. Captain Lin Htet Aung, another military defector, emphasized that Pyae Sone Oo's imprisonment was politically motivated, citing his prominent role in the CDM.
According to PPNM data, at least 20 political prisoners have died between January and November 2024 due to inadequate healthcare in prisons. This includes former Mandalay Region Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, 73, who passed away shortly after release while serving a 29-year sentence.
Military Junta to Try US Citizen Monk Following Reported Torture in Custody
Myanmar Now reported that Sayadaw Badanda Pinnya Zawta, a 64-year-old US citizen and former political prisoner, faces trial in Myanmar next week following his detention and alleged torture by military junta authorities.
The senior monk, who legally entered Myanmar on 5 November to attend a religious ceremony in Yangon's Mingaladon Township, was arrested in Insein Township eight days after arrival. Sources close to him reported that he was beaten during interrogation after being stripped of his monastic robes, in violation of religious rights and international human rights law. The military junta has charged him under multiple laws including the Counterterrorism Law, which carries potential life imprisonment, the Immigration Act, and Section (505) a of the Penal Code.
"The junta exploits religion for its own purposes. They won't hesitate to target even a Sayadaw to get the answers they want," said Zawana, another former political prisoner and monk in the US.
Pinnya Zawta, known as 'Nat Zaw' among political prisoners, played a leading role in Myanmar's 2007 Saffron Revolution democracy movement. He previously faced imprisonment under earlier military rule for his participation in 1990 and 1996 pro-democracy protests.
The US embassy in Yangon is monitoring the case and providing assistance to Pinnya Zawta, who resides in Buffalo, New York. His trial is scheduled to begin on 9 December at Insein Prison court.
Kim Aris Speaks Out for His Mother, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Kim Aris, 47, the youngest son of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has broken his characteristic silence to speak about his mother's detention and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
In a recent interview, Aris revealed that he has had minimal contact with his mother since the illegal seizure of power in February 2021, receiving only one letter and managing to send one care package. Their last conversation occurred in January 2021, when she warned him that "something was imminent." Aris expressed serious concerns about his mother's health conditions in detention. "She's being kept in what I understand to be a pretty much bare concrete cell with no air conditioning in the heat in Naypyitaw," he stated, noting that State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who turns 80 next year, suffers from dental problems and severe osteoporosis.
According to Aris, the lack of international attention on Myanmar's current situation has real consequences for humanitarian aid and political support. "Her situation reflects what's going on in the rest of Burma... It's in the worst situation that I've seen during my lifetime," he said. State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains in solitary confinement in Naypyitaw, with no access to legal representation for nearly two years, in violation of international legal standards.
Actions of Resistance Forces against the Junta
AA Captures Final Military Junta Border Outpost in Maungdaw
Myanmar Now reported that the Arakan Army (AA) seized control of Border Guard Police Battalion 5 base, the final military junta outpost along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, on 8 December at 0930 hours. Following the capture, the AA implemented an indefinite suspension of boat traffic along the Naf River border area citing security requirements and public safety concerns. The AA continues operations to intercept military junta forces and affiliated militia members attempting to cross into Bangladesh.
The offensive has displaced tens of thousands of Rohingya civilians from Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships since May 2024, with many fleeing toward the Bangladesh border amid escalating violence. Since launching coordinated operations with the Brotherhood Alliance in November 2023, the AA has gained control of more than half of Rakhine State's 17 townships, including most of Ann Township, where the military junta's Western Regional Military Command headquarters is located.
Pe Than, an analyst and former Rakhine State politician, told Myanmar Now that the loss of Ann Township would severely impact military junta operations across Rakhine State. "When Ann falls, junta forces in all of Rakhine State will be incapacitated. Like a body without the head," he said.
The AA continues operations in Kyaukphyu Township, site of Chinese-backed development projects including a deep-sea port where Chinese state-owned CITIC holds a 70 percent stake. Pe Than suggested that while Chinese mediation might be possible, "the AA's ultimate goal is to purge the military's troops from Rakhine State. The AA won't allow negotiations about that." Fighting continues in Ann, Taungup, Gwa, and Maungdaw townships as the AA extends its control over Rakhine State.
KIA Launches New Offensive on Military Junta Positions in Bhamo
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied forces initiated operations against military junta-controlled Bhamo in southern Kachin State on 4 December 2024, targeting Infantry Battalion 47 base south of the town, KIA spokesperson Col Naw Bu told Myanmar Now.
Myanmar Now reported that the military junta responded with artillery fire and four aerial bombing raids near civilian areas using two fighter jets. The fighting spread between Bhamo and Momauk, approximately 10 miles east, and between Bhamo and Mansi, about 13 miles south. The KIA announced their forces had surrounded the military junta's Light Infantry Battalion 319 and 601 bases and Artillery Battalion 523 headquarters in Mansi Township.
Local sources reported that after the military junta blocked the road to Hsinhkan Village, civilians attempted to flee by boat. However, by 10 am, the military junta had blocked all water routes, trapping civilians in the conflict zone. Since launching its offensive in March 024, the KIA has captured several key towns including Momauk in August this year. Bhamo, hosting Military Operations Command 21 and multiple military junta battalions, remains under military junta control approximately 120 miles south of Myitkyina. The KIA has also established control over Mabein and Nam Hpat Kar in northern Shan State during their operations.
KNLA and Allied Forces Capture Strategic Base in Karen State
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied resistance forces announced the successful capture of the strategically significant Taung Thone Lone base, located between Hpapun and Kamarmaung towns in Karen State, on 13 December 2024.
The operation, which began on 4 December, was led by KNLA Brigade 5 with support from the People's Defense Force (PDF), Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA), and the Force For Federal Democracy's (FFD) drone unit. The National Unity Government (NUG) reported minimal casualties among allied forces, with only one fighter wounded during the operation.
Speaking to Myanmar Now, Tin Oo, Commander of Military Division 2 under the Southern Regional Command of the NUG’ Ministry of Defence, emphasized the strategic importance of the base's location between Hpapun Township and Kataing Village. The allied forces secured substantial military equipment during the operation, including mortars, machine guns, and ammunition. Since late October, the KNLA has conducted multiple operations targeting military bases in Hpapun Township, particularly those providing artillery support. While KNLA forces have gained control of significant portions of the township since March, two battalion bases and a tactical base south of the town remain contested. A significant victory was achieved on 31 October when KNLA-led forces captured the strategic Hkawpoke camp in the northeast. In a subsequent operation on 3 November, resistance forces engaged retreating personnel from Hkawpoke camp, resulting in 14 casualties and 17 captures.
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Activities of the National Unity Government and Ethnic Groups
NUG Acting President Emphasizes Critical Phase of Revolution
Acting President Duwa Lashi La of the National Unity Government (NUG) highlighted the crucial nature of the current phase in Myanmar's revolution during a cabinet meeting on 3 December, calling for strengthened commitment and decisive action. In his address, Duwa Lashi La emphasized that the NUG has reached a significant milestone through collective efforts. He stressed that Myanmar stands at a critical crossroads requiring determined revolutionary action to establish a democratic future.
The Acting President acknowledged the substantial expectations placed on the NUG by major ethnic resistance organizations and the people of Myanmar. He emphasized the importance of meeting these expectations through concrete actions and unwavering progress in advancing the Spring Revolution.
Duwa Lashi La underscored that only through resolute implementation of revolutionary initiatives can Myanmar achieve its democratic aspirations and fulfill the wishes of its people.
Ministry of Labour of NUG Urges Thailand to Extend Myanmar Workers' Permits
The National Unity Government's (NUG) Ministry of Labor issued a statement on 4 December calling on Thailand to extend stay and work permits for Myanmar migrant workers through existing procedures.
In its appeal, the ministry cautioned against any policy changes that could indirectly support the military council's actions in Myanmar. The statement specifically emphasized that the Thai government should maintain current worker documentation processes rather than implementing new requirements that might involve coordination with the military council. This development comes amid ongoing concerns about the status of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, who make up a significant portion of the country's foreign workforce.
NUG Human Rights Minister Confirms Chemical Weapons Use by Military Junta
Union Minister for Human Rights U Aung Myo Min of the National Unity Government (NUG) declared on 20 December that the military junta's deployment of chemical substances as weapons in conflict zones represents a grave violation of international law and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
At a joint press briefing addressing chemical attacks in Karenni State, the NUG presented comprehensive evidence including eyewitness testimonies confirming military junta's use of chemical substances as weapons. U Aung Myo Min detailed the documentation of chemical substances employed by military junta, conditions of resistance fighters affected by poisoning, and medical assessments from healthcare workers who provided treatment to victims.
The NUG emphasized its dedication to ensuring accountability for military junta's violations of international laws through chemical attacks, which have caused significant harm to civilians and resistance forces.
Report of the UN General Assembly Credentials Committee
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held its 48th plenary meeting of the 79th session on 6 December 2024 at the UN Headquarters in New York, where it adopted without a vote the report of the Credentials Committee regarding the representation of Member States.
The Credentials Committee's report addressed Myanmar's representation in paragraphs 8 and 10 of the report. The Committee noted that it had received two sets of credentials concerning Myanmar's representation. The Committee's Chair proposed to defer the decision on Myanmar's representation and approved without a vote.
Following this decision, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun and the Myanmar Mission to the UN continue to participate in regular meetings of the General Assembly plenary and main committees, as well as meetings of principal organs of the UN and other related sessions, maintaining the same arrangement as in previous years.
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Response of the International Community
US Sanctions Companies Supporting Military Junta's Aerial Attacks on Myanmar Civilians
The US Commerce Department announced trade restrictions on eight companies on 11 December 2024, including two firms supplying components to Myanmar's military junta for aerial attacks against civilians.
Two Russian companies were sanctioned for providing parts enabling the military junta to conduct airstrikes on civilian populations across Myanmar. These companies will be added to an "entity list" requiring US businesses to obtain licenses before exporting to them.
"Human rights abuses are contrary to the foreign policy interests of the United States," Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez stated, emphasizing the measures aim to prevent US technology from enabling human rights violations.
The sanctions also targeted two Myanmar-based companies, alongside firms from China and Russia involved in other human rights violations. Any US company seeking to export to these sanctioned entities must now obtain special authorization.
The restrictions come amid increasing international concern over the military junta's use of airstrikes against civilian targets across Myanmar, which have resulted in numerous civilian casualties including children.
UN Chief Expresses Deep Concern Over Escalating Violence in Myanmar
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed grave concern over the intensifying conflict in Myanmar, particularly regarding violations of international humanitarian law, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on 12 December 2024.
The spokesman highlighted that ongoing combat in western Rakhine State has resulted in civilian casualties and forced displacement. Dujarric specifically pointed to indiscriminate aerial attacks across the country that have led to civilian casualties, actions that constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The conflict in Rakhine State intensified after the Arakan Army (AA) launched operations in November 2023, following the collapse of a temporary cessation of hostilities that had been in place since February 2021. Dujarric conveyed the Secretary-General's urgent call for all parties to cease violence and uphold their obligations under international law regarding civilian protection. The UN chief also emphasized the importance of preventing the escalation of intercommunal tensions.
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UNODC Report: Myanmar Maintains Position as World's Leading Opium Producer
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported in its Myanmar Opium Survey 2024 published on 12 December that opium cultivation in Myanmar continues at elevated levels following three years of growth. According to the UNODC report, cultivation area showed a modest 4 percent decrease from 47,100 to 45,200 hectares, with a similar reduction in yield per hectare. The findings indicate initial stabilization at current high levels, solidifying Myanmar's position as the global leader in opium production
UNODC Regional Representative Masood Karimipour stated that opium production in Myanmar remains near peak levels since measurements began over two decades ago. He expressed concern about potential expansion in coming years due to intense conflict dynamics and global supply chain adjustments following Afghanistan's drug ban. UNODC Country Manager for Myanmar, Yatta Dakowah, highlighted that opium farmers in Myanmar struggle to meet basic needs amid challenging circumstances, emphasizing the urgency of supporting sustainable income-generating alternatives to prevent expansion of poppy cultivation.
Growing International Support for ICJ Genocide Case Against Military Junta
Three more nations have joined the proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide between The Gambia and Myanmar, demonstrating increasing international commitment to accountability for alleged genocide.
The ICJ reported that Belgium filed a declaration of intervention on 12 December 2024, focusing particularly on the interpretation of Article II of the Genocide Convention. Belgium's intervention relies on its status as a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 9 December 1948.
Earlier, on 10 December 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo submitted its declaration of intervention, addressing the construction of Articles I, II, and III of the Genocide Convention. The DRC's intervention similarly stems from its status as a party to the Convention.
On 4 December 2024, Slovenia filed its declaration of intervention, addressing the interpretation of Articles I through VI of the Genocide Convention. These articles form central elements in examining allegations of genocide against the Rohingya people.
According to the ICJ, the Court's decision will be legally binding for all states party to the Genocide Convention. The Court has invited both The Gambia and Myanmar to submit written observations regarding these interventions. These latest interventions reflect growing international concern over alleged violations of the Genocide Convention in Myanmar. The case continues to draw attention to the ongoing human rights situation in Myanmar since the illegal attempted coup in February 2021.
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UN Issues Urgent Appeal as Myanmar Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar announced on 13 December 2024 that the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) seeks USD 1.1 billion to provide critical life-saving assistance to 5.5 million people amid an escalating humanitarian emergency.
According to the statement, humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels with 19.9 million people requiring assistance in 2025, including 6.3 million children. The crisis continues to worsen due to intensifying conflicts since the illegal attempted coup in 2021, compounded by natural disasters, epidemics, widespread explosive ordnance and landmine contamination, and economic deterioration.
The UN Coordinator highlighted the severe impact on civilians across Myanmar, reporting that approximately 3.5 million people are internally displaced, with one-third being children. The statement detailed widespread disruption of essential services, with millions lacking access to safe shelter and drinking water. Over 15 million people are projected to face food insecurity in 2025. The crisis has regional implications, with 1.3 million Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers in neighboring countries.
The statement warned that critically low funding in 2024 - only 34 percent of required resources - severely limited humanitarian operations, preventing aid organizations from delivering planned assistance and leaving millions without support. The UN Coordinator emphasized that without adequate funding in 2025, humanitarian partners would be forced to limit operations to basic life-saving activities, unable to provide comprehensive relief, ensure dignified living conditions, or develop sustainable solutions.
The statement concluded with a call for increased international support to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and protect Myanmar's most vulnerable populations.Â
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UN Expert Welcomes ICC Move for Justice in Myanmar, Calls for Broader Accountability
The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, announced support for ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan's decision to request an arrest warrant for military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, following meetings in The Hague.
According to Andrews, the Prosecutor's move to seek an arrest warrant related to crimes against the Rohingya marks a crucial advancement in pursuing justice. He emphasized the urgency for governments to fully support the enforcement of these warrants. The UN expert highlighted that this development brings hope to victims of the 2017 attacks against the Rohingya who have long awaited justice. Andrews stated that Min Aung Hlaing faces accusations of ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity throughout Myanmar.
On 27 November, ICC Prosecutor Khan announced in Bangladesh the filing of an arrest warrant application for Min Aung Hlaing concerning crimes against humanity, specifically deportation and persecution of the Rohingya between August and December 2017. The ICC's jurisdiction applies as these alleged crimes partially occurred in Bangladesh, an ICC State Party, though Myanmar is not a member of the Court.
Andrews noted the jurisdictional limitations prevent the ICC from addressing the full scope of atrocities against the Rohingya, ongoing international crimes since the illegal attempted coup in February 2021, and historical crimes against pro-democracy activists and ethnic groups.
The Special Rapporteur urged governments to support universal jurisdiction cases in national courts and consider referring Myanmar's situation to the ICC Prosecutor under Article 14 of the Rome Statute. He called on states to re-evaluate their relationships with the military junta in light of the arrest warrant application. Andrews emphasized that while the Prosecutor's decision marks important progress, additional action is needed to ensure comprehensive accountability for the extensive crimes committed in Myanmar.
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Date: 15 December 2024
Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United Nations, New York












