On 28 June, an Argentine prosecutor petitioned to an Argentine Court seeking multiple arrest warrants for Myanmar’s top military and civilian leaders. Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) filed a complaint to the Argentina judiciary in 2019, regarding the Rohingya genocide in Arakan State in 2017. This action follows approximately six years after their initial complaint.
Those named in the arrest warrant include junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, deputy military chief Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Commander of the Bureau of Special Operations No. 3 Lt-Gen Aung Kyaw Zaw, Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Maung Maung Soe, civilian leaders State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ex-President U Htin Kyaw. 1
Michelle Onello, senior legal advisor at the Global Justice Center, a prominent human rights group based in New York, the United States, on 1 July said that the application to the Argentine court was an encouraging first step by the international community towards ensuring accountability and responsibility for the Myanmar military. 2
On 27 June, the Burma Caucus was established at a ceremony in the United States Capitol, aiming to encourage more effective U.S. action on the Myanmar issue. The Burma Caucus, which includes members of the US Congress, is expected to push for more widespread and focused attention on the Myanmar issue.
The event was attanded by Congressman Bill Huizenga from Michigan State, who will serve as the co-chair of the Congressional Burma Caucus, the representative of Congresswomen Betty McCollum from Minnesota, National Unity Government (NUG) Human Rights Minister U Aung Myo Min, Deputy Foreign Minister U Moe Zaw Oo and Canada’s MP Garnett Genuis. 3
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore announced on 28 June that the Singaporean government is working to prohibit the transfer of arms to Myanmar. Singapore stands firmly against the Myanmar military’s use of lethal force against civilians. 4
A report released on 26 June by Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar revealed that some Thai banks are Thai banks are assisting the Myanmar military junta in purchasing military equipment.
The junta used 16 banks that have processed transactions linked to the junta’s military procurement in the past two years. Five banks involved in the transactions are: Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Krungthai Bank and TMB Thanachart Bank, the report said.
The Thai Bankers’ Association vehemently denied the accusation. In addition, Thai banks consider it crucial to prevent their services from being exploited to support the procurement of any weapons to be used to breach people’s rights, the statement said. 5
Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the United States, the European Union and international governments to take immediate action against foreign banks that are assisting the Myanmar military. 6
The Chinese government invited retired general Ex-President U Thein Sein to the 70th Anniversary of the initiation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (5 Bandung Principles), held in Beijing, China on 28 June. At the ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended a warm welcome to U Thein Sein. On 29 June, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with U Thein Sein. 7
1 Argentina’s arrest warrant application is an encouraging step, human rights group says
2 Argentina’s arrest warrant application is an encouraging step, human rights group says
3 Discussion made in the US House of Representatives to draw attention to the Myanmar issue.
4 Singaporean government says it is working to prohibit the transfer of arms to Myanmar.
5 Banks deny they helped Myanmar junta buy weapons.
6 HRW calls for action against foreign banks assisting military council.
7 China invites U Thein Sein to 70th Anniversary of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, political analysts say fighting junta could be the only mean for democratic forces.