Asean lawmakers seek ICC trial of crimes against Rohingyas

A group of parliamentarians from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on Friday urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try those responsible for alleged crimes against the ethnic Rohingya community in Myanmar.

A statement by the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), signed by at least 130 of its members, called on the UN Security Council to begin the process, given that the ICC does not have jurisdiction in Myanmar and would need an initiative by the UN, Efe news reported.

"One year has passed since the Myanmar military launched its murderous operation in Rakhine state, yet we are no closer to seeing those responsible brought to justice," said APHR Chairperson Charles Santiago, a member of the Malaysian Parliament.

"As Myanmar is clearly both unwilling and unable to investigate itself, we are now at a stage where the international community must step in to ensure accountability," he added.

Saturday marks one year since Myanmar's security forces cracked down after Rohingya rebels attacked government outposts in Rakhine state, triggering an exodus of at least 700,000 members of the mostly-Muslim community to neighbouring Bangladesh.

The UN and human rights organizations reported numerous times that there was a clear evidence of abuse, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights describing it as "ethnic cleansing", bearing all the "hallmarks of genocide".

Santiago said the security forces "killed thousands of Rohingyas, burned their villages to the ground and committed widespread sexual violence".

UN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, earlier called for bringing the perpetrators of the crimes against Rohingyas to justice.

Myanmar's State Counsellor and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has either played down or denied most of the accusations by international organizations and rights groups.

In November 2017, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement to repatriate the Rohingya refugees within two years, but the process, which was supposed to have started in January this year, is yet to commence.

Myanmar does not recognize Rohingyas as citizens and considers them Bangladeshi immigrants. The country subjects them to various forms of discrimination, including restrictions on their freedom of movement.

--IANS

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