BROUK asks Argentinian court to seek Min Aung Hlaing’s extradition from Thailand
The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) has petitioned the Argentinian judiciary to seek the extradition of Min Aung Hlaing from Thailand during his upcoming visit to the country.
In February 2025, the Federal Criminal Court in Argentina issued an international arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing for his role in the genocide against the Rohingya in a case brought by BROUK.
Burmese military leader Min Aung Hlaing is expected to visit Thailand later this week, on 6-7 August, on the invitation of the Government of Thailand. BROUK has written to the Argentinian judiciary to urge it to coordinate with Thai authorities to ensure the arrest and extradition of Min Aung Hlaing.
“Min Aung Hlaing is not only one of the chief architects of the genocide against the Rohingya, but has also led the violent repression of the people of Burma for years. He belongs in a jail cell, not posing for photo ops with government officials in Thailand,” said Tun Khin, President of BROUK.
“We urge the Thai and Argentinian authorities to cooperate to ensure the arrest and extradition of Min Aung Hlaing to Argentina, where he should stand trial for genocide and crimes against humanity. This is an opportunity to show that there is nowhere to hide for those who commit the worst crimes known to humanity.”
Min Aung Hlaing was the Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese military from 2011, until earlier this year when he declared himself “president” following a fraudulent election in late 2025. The Burmese military and its proxies have committed a decades-long genocide against the Rohingya, including through violent campaigns that killed thousands and forced hundreds of thousands to flee the country from Rakhine State in 2016 and 2017.
On 1 February 2021, the Burmese military under Min Aung Hlaing seized power in a military coup. Since then, the military and its proxies have killed thousands of people opposing its rule and arrested tens of thousands.
In 2019, BROUK filed a universal jurisdiction case against Min Aung Hlaing and other senior Burmese military officials in Argentina for genocide and other crimes against humanity, including torture and murder.
Min Aung Hlaing is reportedly due to visit Thailand this week on the invitation of the Government of Thailand. The visit would follow a series of high-level recent engagements between Thai authorities and the Burmese military, including the visit of Thailand’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to Naypyitaw in April 2026.
This week, BROUK wrote to the Argentinian judiciary, urging it to send an international letter rogatory (a formal request for help between two courts) to the Thai authorities to act on the arrest warrant through measures available under Thai law. While there is no extradition treaty currently in place between Argentina and Thailand, Thai law (the Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008)) authorises extradition even when no bilateral treaty exists in cases that meet a certain threshold. These criteria are clearly met in cases of genocide and crimes against humanity, such as the crimes being punishable by a minimum of one year in prison under both countries’ laws.
The case in Argentina is the first universal jurisdiction case anywhere in the world concerning the Rohingya genocide. The arrest warrants issued in Argentina are also complemented by other international justice processes. The Prosecutor of the ICC in November 2024 requested an arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing, although the ICC has yet to officially approve it. Burma is also facing a case at the International Court of Justice for violating the Genocide Convention, which was first lodged by The Gambia in 2019 and has since received the formal support of several other States.
“There is no question that Min Aung Hlaing is responsible for horrific crimes against the people of Burma. The Thai authorities should not lend legitimacy to his murderous regime by rolling out the red carpet for his visit, but instead set an example on human rights, justice and accountability,” said Tun Khin.
For media inquiries:
Please contact Tun Khin on +44 (0)7888 714866 or email info@brouk.org.uk
