Jakarta: A criminal complaint accusing Myanmar's newly-elected president Min Aung Hlaing of genocide has been filed by a group of civil society organizations in Indonesia on Monday. The move, hailed as unprecedented by activists, was made under Indonesia's new penal law, which allows for universal jurisdiction in cases involving serious international crimes, including genocide.
According to Anadolu Agency, Yasmin Ullah, executive director of the Rohingya Women Collaborative -- one of the signatories to the statement -- emphasized the historic nature of the complaint. 'It is the first time under Indonesia's new penal code that a case filed under universal jurisdiction has been officially received.' Ullah, a Rohingya who fled Myanmar, described this development as a milestone for the Rohingya people in their pursuit of justice and accountability. She expressed her hope that Min Aung Hlaing, who she accuses of orchestrating mass atrocities against her people, will face legal consequences.
Min Aung Hlaing assumed office as Myanmar's 11th president earlier this month after securing a majority in parliament. His previous role as the country's army chief saw him overseeing military operations against the Rohingya population, which the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar in 2018 determined were committed with genocidal intent. Marzuki Darusman, the mission's leader, stated that irrefutable evidence of genocide against the Rohingya was presented.
The legal action in Indonesia is underpinned by the country's new law, which, according to the lead lawyer Feri Amsari, firmly establishes the principle of universal jurisdiction for genocide. Chris Gunness, director of the Myanmar Accountability Project, remarked on the significance of this case, noting that the era of universal jurisdiction is emerging and the evidence against Min Aung Hlaing is compelling.
This legal initiative follows The Gambia's 2019 case at the International Court of Justice accusing Myanmar of genocide, which was defended by then-leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Furthermore, in November 2024, International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan sought an arrest warrant for Min Aung, citing reasonable grounds to believe in his responsibility for crimes against humanity, including deportation and persecution of the Rohingya.