Accountability for crimes committed against Rohingya is critical for future peace, says Head of the Myanmar Mechanism during Bangladesh visit
Dhaka/Geneva, 24 January 2025 – Pursuing justice for crimes committed against the Rohingya is critical for their future return to their homes in Rakhine State in Myanmar and future peace, said Nicholas Koumjian, the Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, on the conclusion of his five-day official visit to Bangladesh.
During his visit, Koumjian met with high-level government officials, as well as more than 100 Rohingya activists and representatives of community organizations from the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
He discussed the Mechanism’s progress in its investigations into crimes against the Rohingya, latest developments in accountability processes, and the current situation across the border. Tens of thousands of Rohingya have recently arrived in Cox’s Bazar, fleeing brutal atrocities committed against them during the escalation in fighting between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military.
“I would like to express our profound gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh for their consistent cooperation with the Mechanism and for facilitating our investigations into the horrific crimes committed during the 2017 clearance operations and during the current civil conflict in Rakhine State,” said Koumjian. “I am also grateful for the cooperation of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and the Camp in Charge (CiC) offices in Cox’s Bazar, which is invaluable for our work.”
“Many Rohingya that I spoke to expressed frustration that even seven and a half years after the clearance operations, conditions would not allow their communities to return to Rakhine. Ending the violence that targets civilians and pursuing justice for the crimes committed against them is a critical step in creating the conditions for the eventual safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return of Rohingya. Only then can the process of rebuilding begin for all communities in Rakhine,” he added.
During his visit, Koumjian met with high-level officials, including Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative to the Chief Advisor on Rohingya Crisis and Priority Issues Affairs; His Excellency, Md. Touhid Hossain, Adviser for Foreign Affairs; Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Adviser of Home Affairs; and Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Director General of Border Guard of Bangladesh.
“The current situation in Rakhine State was a major concern for everyone I spoke to,” said Koumjian. “I would like to stress that the Mechanism investigates all perpetrators of serious international crimes in Myanmar, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. This includes crimes committed by non-state actors.”
Koumjian also discussed the importance of addressing accountability and justice at this year’s High-level Conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minority groups in Myanmar, which was agreed at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
Koumjian’s visit to Bangladesh follows the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant in November 2024, for Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, for the crimes against humanity of deportation and persecution of Rohingya.
The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM or Mechanism) was created by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2018 to collect and analyse evidence of the most serious international crimes and other violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011. It aims to facilitate justice and accountability by preserving and organizing this evidence and preparing case files that can be used by authorities to prosecute individuals in national, regional and international courts.
For more information visit iimm.un.org or contact iimm@un.org
