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Myanmar Mechanism calls for continued support of international community in the accountability efforts

September 15, 2020/in News

Myanmar Mechanism calls for continued support of international community in the accountability efforts Geneva, 14 September 2020 – In his second annual report to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (Mechanism) outlined the significant progress that the Mechanism has made in its first full year of […]

Human Rights Situation Report by The Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma Reveals Systematic, Widespread Abuses with Institutionalized Impunity

September 15, 2020/in Press Releases and Statements

Human Rights Situation Report by The Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma Reveals Systematic, Widespread Abuses with Institutionalized Impunity For Immediate Release 15 September 2020: The latest situation report by the Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma (ND-Burma) reveals a steady increase of human rights violations against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and active conflict. During […]

Myanmar Mechanism calls for continued support of international community in the accountability efforts

September 15, 2020/in News

Human Rights Situation Report by The Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma Reveals Systematic, Widespread Abuses with Institutionalized Impunity

September 15, 2020/in Press Releases and Statements

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Myanmar Mechanism calls for continued support of international community in the accountability efforts

September 15, 2020/in News

Myanmar Mechanism calls for continued support of international community in the accountability efforts

Geneva, 14 September 2020 – In his second annual report to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (Mechanism) outlined the significant progress that the Mechanism has made in its first full year of existence and repeated his call on Member States to continue supporting the Mechanism’s mission.

“We understand the deep importance of accountability for victims of crimes in Myanmar,” Nicholas Koumjian said. “We are committed to fulfil our role in this process, but we cannot do this alone. We need the continued support of all parts of the international community, in particular Member States in the region, in order for the Mechanism to fully achieve the purpose for which it was created.”

While the Mechanism has been able to use innovations and technology to engage with relevant stakeholders and collect evidence, it also continues to reach out to the Government of Myanmar to seek access to relevant information. By conducting its evidence collection efforts objectively and professionally, the Mechanism hopes to convince all that only those responsible for crimes have anything to fear from the Mechanism.

Mr. Koumjian highlighted that the mandate of the Mechanism is ongoing. “[…] we are closely following events in Myanmar and reports of violence that might qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity,” he said. “We are watching and those perpetrating violence should know that evidence is being recorded and preserved.”

The statement referenced resolution 43/26 of 22 June 2020, in which the Human Rights Council called for close and timely cooperation between the Mechanism and any future investigations by national, regional or international courts, including by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. Mr. Koumjian reported that, in response to requests, the Mechanism has been sharing appropriate information with The Gambia and Myanmar, Parties to the ongoing proceedings before the International Court of Justice.

Mr. Koumjian outlined the progress made by the Mechanism since its last report, in circumstances marked by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This included building a team and infrastructure capable of implementing the challenging mandate that the Mechanism has been given – to collect, preserve and analyse evidence relating to the most serious international crimes and violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011 and to build case files that address individual criminal responsibility.

In addition to this, the Mechanism has made public outreach a priority to promote greater understanding of the complex work of the Mechanism, and to raise awareness of the Mechanism’s accountability mandate with the aim of deterring perpetrators from committing new crimes.

Mr. Koumjian concluded his statement by assuring stakeholders of the Mechanism’s commitment to fulfilling its role in accountability processes for crimes committed in Myanmar.

“Perhaps my most memorable moment with the Mechanism was meeting with victims and community representatives in Cox’s Bazar last November. They told me how their families were affected by the violence they experienced and of their desire for justice,” said Mr. Koumjian. “They all stated that they wanted to return to their homes but only once it was safe to do so. I believe an essential step to a safe and voluntary return of refugees is an end to impunity for those responsible for violence.”

Read the full statement here: https://iimm.un.org/?p=1915

The presentation of the report will be followed by an interactive dialogue with States and civil society.

Human Rights Situation Report by The Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma Reveals Systematic, Widespread Abuses with Institutionalized Impunity

September 15, 2020/in Press Releases and Statements

Human Rights Situation Report by The Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma
Reveals Systematic, Widespread Abuses with Institutionalized Impunity

For Immediate Release

15 September 2020: The latest situation report by the Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma (ND-Burma) reveals a steady increase of human rights violations against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and active conflict. During the reporting period of January to June 2020, ND-Burma recorded 401 cases and 446 human rights violations across six states and one region including Rakhine, Chin, Mon, Karen, Kachin, Shan states and Tanintharyi region. Clashes overwhelmingly took place in Chin, Rakhine and northern Shan states with frequent skirmishes in Karen, Mon and Kachin states.

ND-Burma member organizations also observed a continued pattern of refuted accountability, despite mounting evidence of crimes against humanity and war crimes by the main perpetrator – the Burma Army. Our members have taken exceptional risks in their documentation in their efforts to hold perpetrators of human rights violations liable in our joint pursuits for justice. Drawing on evidence from member data and situational analysis, ND-Burma has concluded that armed conflict has perpetuated a dangerous cycle of rampant abuses for civilians across the country.

Among our key findings, ND-Burma member organizations observed 1047 victims of human rights abuses. The majority of civilians were impacted by killings, arbitrary arrest and detainment, forced displacement and torture with northern Shan, Rakhine and Chin experiencing the most clashes. These abuses were all exacerbated by an unstable security situation. Violations took place in ceasefire areas, despite agreements made between armed groups and the Burma Army.

ND-Burma members also documented cases showing how the Burma Army continues to systematically target civilians through ‘divide and rule’ tactics including the four cuts strategy which seeks to deprive groups of food, funds, recruits and information. Military blockages of humanitarian aid delayed emergency response efforts in conflict areas, which was of exceptional concern for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Further, there continues to be a shrinking space for journalists who are working in a heavily censored environment.

ND-Burma renews our calls for accountability and justice for the many grave human rights abuses that have been committed. If the process of national reconciliation is to be taken seriously, all stakeholders must commit to ceasefires by making them inclusive and engaging in a dialogue that considers the needs of those impacted by conflict. Decades of civil war have resulted in forced displacement and a lack of trust by communities impacted by the worst of the violence. Reparations and accountability are long overdue – indeed, the people of Burma deserve justice.

Media Contact

Ko Ting Oo, All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress

Ph No: + 66 81 595 6138, 95 9 891 424 201

Lway Poe Jay, Ta’ang Students and Youth Union

Ph No: +09 264 162 229

_______

ND-Burma is a network that consists of 13-member organisations who represent a range of ethnic nationalities, women and former political prisoners. ND-Burma member organisations have been documenting human rights abuses and fighting for justice for victims since 2004. The network consists of nine Full Members and four Affiliate Members as follows.

Full Members:

Affiliate Members:

Chin Human Rights Organization
East Bago – Former Political Prisoners Network
Pa-O Youth Organization
Progressive Voice

Spring Revolution

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ND Burma

ND-Burma formed in 2004 in order to provide a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process. The 13 ND-Burma member organizations seek to collectively use the truth of what communities in Burma have endured to advocate for justice for victims. ND-Burma trains local organizations in human rights documentation; coordinates members’ input into a common database using Martus, a secure open-source software; and engages in joint-advocacy campaigns.

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ND Burma

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