The UN High Commissioner requests the ICC to handle the war crimes committed by the military council.
On September 26, Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, submitted a report on Myanmar, saying that the situation of human rights violations by the military council in Myanmar has worsened at the 54th meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. "The human rights situation in Myanmar is worsening, the Myanmar military continues to carry out terrorist attacks, ignoring the basic morals that all human beings must follow. They continue to ignore the UN Security Council's repeated calls to allow unhindered humanitarian aid and to immediately stop the attacks."
The High Commissioner for Human Rights said that the Human Rights Council's report released on September 26 covers the period from April 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, and that the Myanmar military has increased attacks on civilians as its main findings.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights said that the three methods of the Myanmar military’s air attack, mass killings, and burning of villages are oppressing the civilian population, according to reliable sources, as of September 25, at least 4,108 people have been confirmed dead at the hands of the military and military-backed militant groups, about 22 massacres that killed at least 10 people during the army's ground operations, more than 75,000 houses and buildings were burned down in the Sagaing region of central Myanmar, and that region was the most affected by arson.
Additionally, according to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the civilian rule of law in Myanmar has completely disappeared because the Myanmar military has intentionally destroyed the civilian administration and justice systems, about 19,000 were detained and 7,368 were found guilty in emergency trials that lasted only minutes among more than 24,000 people arrested by the military, of these, about 150 were sentenced to death by courts controlled by the military, which were not free and fair.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also talked about the attacks by anti-military groups. "Terrorist attacks by anti-military groups, such as targeted killings and bombings of public places, have also continued. But the scale is so small that it cannot be compared to the crimes committed by the military. Importantly, I would also like to say that the anti-military groups strictly follow international human rights and humanitarian laws, the rules and regulations to protect civilians."
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged the transfer of the Myanmar issue to the International Criminal Court (ICC). "Due to the seriousness of the situation on the ground in Myanmar and the lack of punishment for the perpetrators, I request the UN Security Council to transfer the Myanmar issue to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Myanmar People have long been suffering from the lack of international attention to the Myanmar issue. This must change. The Myanmar military has been committing crimes with impunity for decades. I believe that there is no situation where the Myanmar military will change completely. Now the responsibility to protect the civilian population of Myanmar and restore peace to the situation depends on the international community. Therefore, I would like to urge you to start taking action now."
India's ambassador to the United Nations also said to consider the impact of the conflict attacks in Myanmar on neighboring countries, during a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council. "As a neighboring country of Myanmar, peace, stability, and development in Myanmar have a direct impact on India. Due to the ongoing conflict and attacks in Myanmar, Myanmar nationals are entering India. That's why cross-border crimes are on the rise. We need to consider the impact of events in Myanmar on neighboring countries."
India supports ASEAN's actions regarding the Myanmar issue, to stop terrorist attacks, and to release political prisoners. The Indian ambassador said that he urged to negotiate and return to the path of democracy.
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