Rohingya Survivors Sue Myanmar's New President at Indonesian Attorney General's Office
Rohingya survivors, together with several civil society organisations, have filed a lawsuit against Myanmar’s new President, Min Aung Hlaing, with the Attorney General’s Office in Indonesia. The lawsuit is based on the events that befell the Rohingya community in 2017.
The lawsuit was submitted by the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network. It concerns allegations of human rights violations committed by Min Aung Hlaing.
“We just met this morning with the Head of Legal Information at the Attorney General’s Office and the Director of Human Rights at the Attorney General’s Office to submit the lawsuit on behalf of 10 plaintiffs regarding crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar government. The reporting includes Mr Marzuki Darussman, former Attorney General, and then Mr Busyro Muqoddas from PP Muhammadiyah,” said Yasmin Ullah, Director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, in her statement on Themis Indonesia’s Instagram account on Monday (6/4/2026).
For context, Min Aung Hlaing is the military general who carried out the coup in 2021. He has been the de facto leader of the country. He also detained the elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and dissolved her party.
Although he already held power, Min Aung Hlaing was officially elected as President of Myanmar by parliament only once on 3 April 2026. This election took place when he relinquished his position as supreme commander.
Returning to Yasmin’s explanation, she recounted that the lawsuit is based on her experiences in 2017. At that time, Min Aung Hlaing was the Supreme Commander of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw).
“What happened in 2017 was not something sudden; it was the result of years of policies, violence, and plans to destroy my people,” she said.
She claimed to have lived without legal status for 16 years. During that time, her life was adrift.
“For 16 years, we lived without legal status. No protection, no future,” she revealed.
She emphasised that the alleged human rights violators against the Rohingya must be held accountable. According to her, this effort is one way to resolve human rights issues concerning the Rohingya.
“If there is no accountability for the Rohingya, extermination will spread. This is why today is so important. Resolving this universal jurisdiction case in Indonesia is not just a legal action, but a moral red line,” she continued.
She admitted to never losing hope in seeking justice, including exploring the possibility of prosecuting alleged human rights violators outside Myanmar. One of her hopes is the implementation of the new Criminal Code.
“But of course, we do not despair; because of that, various studies have been conducted, including whether it is possible, when the new Criminal Code is implemented, to report the perpetrators of crimes. If you look at Articles 5, 6, and 7 of the new Criminal Code, universal jurisdiction already applies based on these provisions,” she said.
She hopes that the new Criminal Code will truly be implemented. Because it contains universal principles on human rights.
“We want the government to insist on implementing the new Criminal Code by truly enforcing the universal articles or principles found in Articles 5, 6, and 7,” she added.