ICC prosecutor apprises Bangladesh leader Yunus on probe into Rohingya deportation

By Faisal Mahmud

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan apprised Bangladesh transitional government head Muhammad Yunus about the ongoing investigation into the Rohingya deportation and announced plans to visit the country by the end of this year.

Khan also lauded the chief adviser's three-point proposal designed to reinvigorate efforts to address the Rohingya crisis in South Asia.

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

During their conversation, Khan provided an update on the latest developments in the ICC investigations into the Rohingya deportation, which started in 2019.

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

"The three points are perfect," Khan remarked.

During his visit to Bangladesh last July, Karim expressed regret that limited access to Myanmar hampers the investigation into the alleged genocidal crimes against the Rohingya.

He called on the international community to boost funding for the persecuted group, emphasizing that their welfare is not solely the responsibility of the Bangladeshi government.

Yunus, meanwhile, inquired about the process for filing a case of crimes against humanity at the ICC against those responsible for the massacre during the July-August uprising, which resulted in over 700 deaths and over 20,000 injuries in Bangladesh. The movement ultimately led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government.

Khan responded that Bangladesh can indeed submit a complaint to the Hague-based court, but noted that there are specific rules that must be followed when filing a case of crimes against humanity at the ICC.