The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened a preliminary examination into Myanmar's alleged crimes against its Rohingya Muslim minority, report agencies.
The move could pave the way to a full investigation into Myanmar's military crackdown that has seen thousands killed and over 700,000 displaced.
On Tuesday, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she had decided "to carry out a full-fledged preliminary examination of the situation at hand".
Ms Bensouda said the initial probe, which could lead to a formal investigation by the ICC, could focus on a number of alleged "coercive acts" that possibly led to the "forced displacement" of Rohingya Muslims.
She said that these might include "deprivation of fundamental rights, killing, sexual violence, enforced disappearance, destruction and looting".
She added that the Hague-based court would also consider whether persecution or "other inhumane acts" played a part in the plight of the Rohingya.
While Myanmar has not signed up to the ICC, judges have ruled that the court still has jurisdiction over any alleged crimes against the Rohingya, because Bangladesh is an ICC member.
Last month Myanmar rejected a UN report calling for Burmese military figures to be investigated for genocide.
The army has previously cleared itself of wrongdoing in the Rohingya crisis.
However, that military report was criticised by human rights groups as an attempted "whitewash".
The ICC announcement comes as UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who was set to arrive in Myanmar on Wednesday for talks with Burmese leaders, promised additional support for victims of sexual violence.
Another report adds: The Australian government has said it is considering options in response to the Fact-Finding Mission's report, including targeted sanctions on Myanmar.
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