Civil society groups in Indonesia have filed a criminal complaint against Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, accusing him of genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The complaint was accepted under Indonesia’s updated penal code, which allows universal jurisdiction over serious international crimes.
Why it matters: This is the first use of Indonesia’s new universal jurisdiction provisions for genocide. If prosecuted, it would set a precedent for holding heads of state accountable regardless of where atrocities occurred.
The complaint
The case was submitted to Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office by Yasmin Ullah, a Rohingya survivor who fled Myanmar, alongside prominent Indonesian figures. Those named in the filing include a former attorney general and the chairman of Muhammadiyah, one of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisations.
Indonesia updated its penal code in January 2026. The new code allows courts to exercise universal jurisdiction over genocide, regardless of where the crime was committed or the nationality of the accused.
The 2017 atrocities
In 2017, Myanmar’s armed forces, then under junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, launched an offensive in Rakhine State that drove at least 730,000 Rohingya from their homes into neighbouring Bangladesh. Refugees described systematic killings, mass rape, and arson.
Min Aung Hlaing was elected president through a parliamentary vote last week after an army-backed party won elections held in December and January. Amnesty International said the presidency must not shield him from accountability.
Parallel legal action
The complaint adds to existing international legal pressure. Gambia brought a separate genocide case to the International Court of Justice, telling judges in January 2026 that Myanmar had targeted the Rohingya for destruction. Myanmar has consistently denied the genocide charges.
What happens next
Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office will now determine whether to proceed with an investigation. Legal analysts note that enforcement would face significant diplomatic obstacles, but the filing establishes a legal record and tests the reach of Indonesia’s new jurisdiction provisions.