IIMM monitoring reports of air attacks and blocked aid since the earthquake
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Statement by Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar
Geneva, 2 April 2025 – The tragedy of the ongoing conflict in Myanmar has been multiplied by Friday’s earthquake that has claimed thousands of lives.
While the search for survivors continues, the Myanmar military has continued its aerial bombardments, with civilian casualties. This has compounded the fear, deaths, injuries and destruction that Myanmar’s people have experienced since the earthquake and likely hindered rescue and recovery efforts.
The Mechanism is closely monitoring reports of resumed air attacks in regions such as Mandalay, Sagaing, Bago, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Kayah, Magway and Shan as part of our mission to ensure that those who are most responsible for committing serious international crimes in Myanmar are brought to justice.
We also remind all parties to the conflict that denying or withholding humanitarian aid or targeting humanitarians could constitute crimes under international law, and may qualify as war crimes or crimes against humanity.
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
