The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest and investigation of former Philippine President Duterte has caused significant concern and anxiety among Myanmar’s military council leader Min Aung Hlaing and other military leaders in Naypyidaw. Duterte, who was arrested by Philippine authorities on March 11 and transferred to The Hague, Netherlands, faces charges at the ICC for crimes against humanity related to mass killings conducted under the guise of a drug enforcement campaign in the Philippines.
In response to this development, USDP Chairman Khin Yi has criticized the ICC’s actions, claiming they constitute an improper interference with national sovereignty. He argued that the ICC’s judicial activities targeting non-member states are fundamentally flawed and represent an infringement on national sovereignty. According to Khin Yi, the ICC’s approach demonstrates a problematic pattern of selective enforcement, particularly focusing on African and Asian nations while appearing to exempt certain other countries from scrutiny.
The arrest and prosecution of Duterte has had a notable impact on Min Aung Hlaing and his family, prompting him to request reports analyzing potential scenarios should the ICC issue arrest warrants against Myanmar’s military leadership. The situation has created a wave of apprehension among military officials in Naypyidaw. Khin Yi further argued that when considering law enforcement within a nation, it cannot be evaluated solely through the lens of human rights equality, but must be balanced against considerations of national sovereignty and the rule of law. The developments surrounding Duterte’s case have heightened existing concerns among Myanmar’s military leadership about potential international legal accountability, particularly as the ICC continues its broader investigations into alleged crimes against humanity in various regions.
