Lawyers file to prosecute Suu Kyi for crimes against humanity

Lawyers in Australia are seeking to hold Myanmar’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, directly accountable for the violent persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

The lawyers yesterday filed a private prosecution application against Suu Kyi in the Melbourne magistrates court, accusing her of crimes against humanity, Huffington Post reports quoting The Guardian.

According to the Huffington Post, a statement from the lawyers cited the “extensive and systematic crimes against the Muslim Rohingyan population by the Myanmar security forces.”

It added: “Suu Kyi has failed to use her position of authority and power, and, as such, has permitted the Myanmar security forces to deport and forcibly remove Rohingya from their homes.”  

Before moving forward, the prosecution application would have to receive the consent of Australia’s attorney general, Christian Porter.

According to the Huffington Post, The Guardian reported it is unlikely Porter would consent ― Suu Kyi is expected in Sydney this weekend for the ASEAN Australia special summit, at the invitation of the Australian government.

Source: thedailystar/The Guardian