SAC rejects ICC statements, cites Myanmar's non-membership

The Information Team of the State Administration Council (SAC) tated that Myanmar does not recognize ICC statements, citing the country's non-membership in the International Criminal Court.

In response to VOA's inquiry, the SAC’s Information team responded as Karim A.A. Khan, the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC filed an application to the ICC Court on November 27 to issue an arrest warrant for Senior General Min Aung Hlaing for the crimes committed against the Bengalis (originally described as Rohingyas) in 2017, and about the issues that further warrants are to be filed.

“Myanmar is not a member of the ICC and has never recognized the statements of the ICC. Myanmar has been practicing a free, active and neutral foreign policy in its dealings with countries in the region and the world, and has been practicing the principle of peaceful coexistence among countries,” it said.

According to reports in the international media, the ICC’s Chief Prosecutor applied to the ICC Court on November 27 to issue an arrest warrant against the SAC Chairman, who is accused of being responsible for the crimes committed against Bengalis (originally described as Rohingyas).

The ICC’s Chief Prosecutor stated in his statement that the decision to apply for an arrest warrant against SAC Chairman was made after conducting an independent investigation into the crimes committed against the Bengali (originally described as Rohingya) and civilians by the Tatmadaw, police and border guard forces from August 25 to December 31, 2017.

In a statement from the ICC’s Chief Prosecutor, it was stated that today's application for the issuance of an arrest warrant is only an initial step, and further requests are to be made.

Whether its procedures are consistent with the standards of the ICC Court or not is judged by the judges and if the judges agree, his office will continue to work to arrest the SAC Chairman in accordance with the law, the ICC’s Chief Prosecutor stated in his statement.