ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim visits Cox's Bazar Rohingya camps to investigate Myanmar genocide

A group of International Criminal Court (ICC) representatives, led by Chief Prosecutor Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, met with Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar today (26 November) to gather information about Myanmar genocide in 2017.

"The process of bringing to justice those responsible for the genocide against Rohingyas in Myanmar's Rakhine is a complex and lengthy one," Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammad Mizanur Rahman told the media, quoting the chief prosecutor, at the commissioner's office in Cox's Bazar.

"Despite the complexities, the ICC is working tirelessly, and there has been progress in the case."

He further mentioned that the prosecutor will be briefing the chief adviser and other high-rank officials in Dhaka tomorrow about the progress of the genocide case.

Mizanur said Rohingya refugees have told the ICC prosecutor that they want to see the perpetrators of the genocide brought to justice. They believe that this will facilitate their return to their homeland.

"They [Rohingyas] expressed gratitude to the Bangladeshi government for providing them with shelter, and that Karim Khan was deeply moved by their sentiments," he added.

In the morning, a 15-member ICC team led by Karim Khan arrived at the Kutupalong no-1 Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila.

The ICC is conducting an investigation to determine whether crimes against humanity were committed in Rakhine.

The ICC chief prosecutor is currently in Bangladesh as part of this inquiry, RRRC Additional Commissioner Shamsud Douza said.

There, he spoke with Rohingya refugees about various issues, including Myanmar genocide in 2017. Subsequently, he also visited other camps.

In the afternoon, he held a meeting with relevant officials at the RRRC office.

Yesterday, the chief prosecutor arrived in Dhaka and flew to Cox's Bazar on a special flight in the afternoon.

The ICC prosecutor last visited Bangladesh in July last year.