The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) released its annual report on August 13, revealing significant evidence of severe war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar military.
IIMM stated in its annual report that it has collected significant volumes of credible evidence and information indicating the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity increasingly by the Myanmar military across the country at an "alarming rate."
The 18-page report covers the period between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, during which the Mechanism collected significant evidence of more intensive and violent war crimes, including airstrikes on civilian structures like schools, religious sites, and hospitals, along with gruesome acts such as mutilations, beheadings, and the public display of mutilated bodies.
“We have collected substantial evidence showing horrific levels of brutality and inhumanity across Myanmar. Many crimes have been committed with the intent to punish and induce terror in the civilian population,” said Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the IIMM.
The Mechanism is also probing the unlawful imprisonment, torture, and unfair trials of those perceived as opponents of the military regime, with evidence showing systematic torture and severe physical and mental abuse, such as beatings, electric shocks, strangulations, and sleep deprivation. There is also evidence of gang rape, the burning of sexual body parts, and other violent sexual and gender-based crimes committed in detention. The victims include people of all genders and ages, including children.
Koumjian stressed the need to break the cycle of impunity in Myanmar, noting the significant progress in building legal cases against those responsible for these crimes. He said, “No one has been held accountable for any crimes, which emboldens perpetrators and deepens the culture of impunity in the country. We are trying to break this cycle. I believe the Mechanism has made considerable progress in building criminal cases against those most responsible for these crimes."
The report's findings are based on data from over 900 sources, including more than 400 eyewitness accounts, as well as photographic, video, documentary, and forensic evidence. While most of the report focusses on crimes committed by Myanmar’s security forces, it also includes credible evidence of crimes by armed groups fighting against the military, such as the summary execution of civilians suspected of being military informants or collaborators. The IIMM is dedicated to investigating crimes committed since the February 2021 military coup, as well as earlier atrocities against the Rohingya during the military’s clearance operations in 2016 and 2017.
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