Seven years since the clearance operations against the Rohingya: the cycle of impunity must be broken

Statement by Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar

Geneva, 22 August 2024 – This week marks seven years since a wave of violent atrocities by the Myanmar security forces drove hundreds of thousands of Rohingya women, men and children to flee their homes in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Rohingya lost their loved ones and property, and many were subjected to horrific sexual violence. The majority sought refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh where they remain, still awaiting the day when it will be safe to return to their homes in Myanmar.

No one has yet been held accountable for these horrific crimes. This has emboldened perpetrators in Myanmar to continue their brutal actions without fear of the consequences. When crimes go unpunished, this can fuel more violence. This cycle of impunity must be broken.

This year, armed conflicts have increased across Myanmar, including in Rakhine State, as opposition to military rule grows. This has left Rohingya particularly vulnerable, with horrific reports of killings, torture, rape and the burning of villages. Earlier this month, a drone attack on Rohingya fleeing the violence reportedly killed a high number of civilians. The Mechanism has opened new investigations into these crimes and is collecting evidence of all alleged perpetrators regardless of their affiliation. However, this cycle of atrocities is likely to continue until perpetrators of earlier crimes face justice.

International justice is often slow, and this can be very frustrating for victims who rightly hope for justice that can bring an end to their suffering. At the Mechanism, we understand their frustration and are making our best efforts to produce results.

We have collected and analysed a very large quantity of evidence, including videos, photographs, social media posts and geospatial imagery. We have interviewed hundreds of survivors, eyewitnesses, and people with insider knowledge about the orders given to commit crimes.

We have accelerated the amount of evidence and analysis we are sharing with the authorities involved in the cases concerning the Rohingya at the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice and in Argentina. To date we have shared 80 packages containing more than one million items of supporting information and analysis. This includes reports on the movements of military units during the clearance operations and various analyses on the armed groups present in the area when the atrocities against the Rohingya were committed. We are also collecting and analysing evidence of the loss and expropriation of Rohingya property before, during and after the clearance operations.

We are identifying the individuals who are most responsible for the crimes committed against the Rohingya, including those who ordered the crimes, those who failed to punish crimes committed by those under their command and those that actively promoted the hate campaign which fueled these crimes. We are working towards the day that this evidence will be presented in a court of law, and the perpetrators will have to answer for their actions.

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