57th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar
Oral statement delivered by Jasmine Velasquez
On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
9 September 2024
Mr. President,
We welcome the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and appreciate the progress in investigations, including investigations into crimes committed following the attempted coup in February 2021, despite the highly volatile situation in the country. We also welcome the analytical reports issues by the Mechanism this year.
We urge the Mechanism to continue to prioritise a victim-centred approach which emphasises the protection and welfare of victims in its investigations and to enhance outreach to victim and survivor groups including leaders of the Rohingya community.
Seven years after the targeted violence that may constitute genocide and crimes against humanity forcing over 700,00 Rohingya to take refuge in Bangladesh, Rohingya in Myanmar are once again facing the prospects of recurrence of similar atrocities.
The actions, that may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes by both the military and the Arakan Army in the escalating conflict in Rakhine State pose an existential threat to Rohingya remaining in Rakhine State.
This situation underlines the need for accountability for all actors implicated in crimes against Rohingya including the military and the Arakan Army. In this regard, we welcome the Mechanism’s commitment to investigate alleged crimes regardless of the affiliation or ethnicity of the perpetrators or victims.
We urge member states to continue to provide support and cooperation for the Mechanism to effectively carryout its mandate.
We call on member states to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court under article 14 of the Rome Statue.
Thank you.
