International Criminal Court Opens Probe Into Crimes Against Rohingya

The International Criminal Court announced that it has opened a “preliminary examination” into the Myanmar military’s alleged crimes against the Rohingya Muslim minority, BBC reports. In a statement Tuesday, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the examination may take into account “a number of alleged coercive acts” in the displacement of the Rohingya—including “deprivation of fundamental rights, killing, sexual violence, enforced disappearance, destruction and looting.” Bensouda also said the examination would consider whether persecution or “other inhumane acts” played a role. While Myanmar is not an ICC member nation, the court still has jurisdiction in the case because Bangladesh—where many of the Rohingya fled after being forced from their homes—is a member nation. A report from the U.N. Human Rights Council released Tuesday outlines allegations that Myanmar’s military raped, murdered, and tortured the Rohingya and other minority groups.