The International Criminal Court in The Hague rules on the expulsion of the Rohingyas

The Dhaka Times Desk Millions of Rohingyas have been deported from Myanmar to Bangladesh following a ruling by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

According to a BBC news report, Chief Counsel of the Court, Fatoo Bensouda, requested the issuance of a rule, asking whether the deportation of millions of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar to Bangladesh would fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. Miz Bensouda also appealed to the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Monday seeking a ruling on the matter.

According to the petition, forcibly pushing the residents of a country beyond international borders amounts to crimes against humanity in all aspects. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has also described it as an example of ethnic cleansing. The UN Special Envoy for Myanmar has commented that there are all the signs of genocide, also mentioned in the petition.

The application mentions, 'However, there is some doubt about the scope of the court here. Because Bangladesh is a member of this court, while Myanmar is not a member. However, the Court may consider the matter as covered, since the crime is being committed across international borders, so that the territory of Bangladesh, a member of the Court, is also being victimized.'

If this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, the Office of the Counselor can investigate and bring charges against Myanmar.

It should be noted that after the start of military operations in Myanmar in August last year, more than 7 lakh Rohingya left their homes and took refuge in Bangladesh.

Many Rohingya fleeing Myanmar have been accused of killing, burning houses, looting, abducting and raping members of the Myanmar military.