Bangladesh, Burma and the Rohingya crisis 39 87. Rushanara Ali MP has written in the media that the Foreign Secretary should now campaign for Min Aung Hlaing to be called before the International Criminal Court. She argued that Yes, it is the case that particular countries will protest against such action, namely Russia and China. However, Britain should call this out for what it is and take a leadership role in holding to account the perpetrators. Without accountability, Min Aung Hling can continue to act with impunity. Accountability is not just about justice but also about deterring future injustices. [ … ]if Min Aung Hlaing has learnt one thing in the last year, it is that the international community will not take any meaningful steps against him.112 88. It was in fact a letter to the UK government on this written by Rushanara Ali and signed by 100 MPs which we were given as one of the reasons that our visas were denied. It therefore must be a fear of the military - to be held to account for what they have done. Just the possibility of an ICC referral may be enough to give Min Aung Hlaing pause for thought before ordering further attacks against the Rohingya or other ethnic groups–and that could save lives.113 89. The ICC Prosecutor is now instead seeking a ruling that she can investigate the crime of deportation under the Rome Statute, as Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh, which is a signatory of the Rome Statute. This is a very welcome move. Aung San Suu Kyi has issued a statement criticising the move, denying Rohingya were deported. This continues her longstanding approach of denying human rights abuses have taken place and seeking to obstruct moves towards justice and accountability. The Burmese Government issued a statement that it was “seriously concerned” about the ICC prosecutor’s application and reiterated that it has not deported any individuals and in fact has “worked hard in collaboration with Bangladesh to repatriate those displaced from their homes.”114 Sanctions 90. David Baulk of Fortify Rights said: Briefly on the question of sanctions, what we are calling for is targeted financial sanctions on people with demonstrated command responsibility for atrocity crimes. We think that is appropriate and punishes the right people rather than the innocent people of Myanmar writ large.115 Hkanhpa Tu Sadan: Can I add one more and include any businesses associated with the military as well? The British Government have the responsibility to sanction the 112 113 114 115 Haul Myanmar’s military leaders before the international criminal court, Rushanara Ali, The Guardian, 13 February 2018 Rushanara Ali Letter to the Foreign Secretary, 21 February 2018 ‘Myanmar says ICC lacks jurisdiction to probe Rakhine crisis’, Frontier Myanmar, 13 April 2018 Q166