16 April 2025: SAC-M wrote to Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Honourable Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, questioning Bangladesh’s failure to formally protest and object to Myanmar junta leader and alleged war criminal Min Aung Hlaing’s participation at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Thailand earlier this month.

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is seeking Min Aung Hlaing’s arrest, as is an Argentinian court under the principal of universal jurisdiction, for his role in the commission of serious international crimes against the Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh. A principled commitment to the rule of law and accountability must see Bangladesh seize every legal and political opportunity to support Min Aung Hlaing’s prosecution and to challenge the military junta’s desperate efforts to secure legitimacy. 

At the same time, Bangladesh should strengthen its ties with legitimate pro-democracy actors in Myanmar, including the National Unity Government, ethnic organisations and civil society. In their aspirations for a truly inclusive federal democracy, these communities share the same values as the Interim Government of Bangladesh.

See the letter: SAC-M correspondence to H.E. Muhammad Yunus