What is the IIMM?
The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM or Mechanism) is a UN entity established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2018 in response to reports of gross human rights violations amounting to serious international crimes.
The Mechanism’s mandate is to impartially and independently:
Collect, preserve and analyze evidence of the most serious international crimes committed in Myanmar since 2011. These crimes include genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prepare case files to share with national, regional or international courts or tribunals to facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings.
On a case-by-case basis, the Mechanism can also share information for uses other than criminal proceedings to contribute to the interests of justice and deter further crimes, in accordance with its Terms of Reference.
The Mechanism investigates any serious international crimes committed in Myanmar regardless of the perpetrator’s affiliation or official capacity, or the victim’s race, ethnicity or religion.
The Mechanism is not a police force, a prosecutor or a court. It cannot arrest or prosecute anyone or hold trials. Its role is to consolidate and analyze evidence to assist relevant authorities leading investigations and prosecutions against suspected perpetrators of crimes.
As serious international crimes have no statute of limitations, there is no time limit for perpetrators to be prosecuted. The Mechanism therefore securely preserves information and evidence for use at any time in the future.
To learn more about the Mechanism’s mandate, see its Terms of Reference.
