How did the International Criminal Court investigate alleged crimes against the Rohingya in Myanmar?

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Hear about the formation, functions, and limitations of the International Criminal Court — International criminal law Learn about the International Criminal Court.

In November 2019, the International Criminal Court (ICC) initiated an investigation into alleged crimes within its jurisdiction committed by the armed forces of Myanmar against the Rohingya, a Muslim community primarily located in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.1

While the ICC generally exercises jurisdiction over crimes committed on the territory or by a national of a state that has ratified the Rome Statute, the court functions as a judicial body of last resort when national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The court relies on national justice systems to facilitate investigations and the transfer of suspects, as it lacks its own independent police force to execute arrests.12