International Criminal Court prosecutor briefs Bangladesh leader on Rohingya genocide investigation

International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan briefed the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, on the ongoing investigation into the alleged Rohingya genocide and announced plans to visit the country by the end of this year.

Khan also praised the chief adviser’s three-point proposal aimed at revitalizing efforts to address the Rohingya crisis in South Asia.

The two met on Thursday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.

During their conversation, Khan provided an overview of the latest developments in the ICC investigation into the Rohingya genocide, which began in 2019.

Yunus presented his three-point proposal: an urgent conference led by the UN chief to assess the situation and propose solutions, a vigorous joint response plan to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, and strong international efforts to promote justice and accountability for the genocide committed in Rakhine in 2017.

“The three points are perfect,” Khan remarked.

During his visit to Bangladesh last July, Karim expressed regret that restricted access to Myanmar was hindering investigations into alleged genocide crimes against the Rohingya.

He called on the international community to increase funding for the persecuted group, stressing that their welfare is not the sole responsibility of the Bangladesh government.

Yunus, meanwhile, inquired about the procedure for filing a case of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court against those responsible for the massacre during the uprising in July and August that left over 700 people dead and over 20,000 injured in Bangladesh. The movement ultimately led to the downfall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.

Khan replied that Bangladesh could indeed file a complaint with the Hague court, but pointed out that certain rules had to be followed when filing a case of crimes against humanity with the International Criminal Court.