Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Impartial Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), informed the UN Normal Meeting’s Third Committee that “the frequency and severity of worldwide crimes in Myanmar have escalated.”
Warning that civilians of all ethnicities are bearing the brunt, he mentioned: “We have now amassed proof that individuals detained by the navy authorities have been tortured and subjected to varied types of sexual violence.”
“We have now proof of the id of the perpetrators and their commanders.”
Mr. Koumjian added that his group has additionally documented abstract executions and assaults on colleges, hospitals, and locations of worship because the navy more and more depends on airstrikes.
He famous that in Rakhine state, the place the Arakan Military (an ethnic armed group preventing towards Myanmar’s navy junta) has seized most territory, the navy’s brutal response has left civilians destitute and ravenous.
“[We are] gathering proof of a number of alleged atrocities, together with drone assaults focusing on civilians, executions, rape, torture, and the obstruction of humanitarian assist to a inhabitants dealing with hunger,” he mentioned.
In Mandalay, a trainer stands amid the ruins of the classroom the place he as soon as taught English and Science – now destroyed by the March earthquakes.
An invisible disaster
Tom Andrews, UN Particular Rapporteur on the Human Rights scenario in Myanmar, mentioned the scenario in has worsened dramatically, with almost 22 million folks now requiring assist and 16.7 million dealing with acute meals insecurity.
March earthquakes in central Myanmar left roughly 200,000 folks homeless, broken 157,000 buildings, and brought about an estimated $11 billion in losses.
“The navy junta took this pure catastrophe and turned it right into a humanitarian disaster,” Mr. Andrews mentioned. “They blocked systematically the supply of humanitarian assist, harassed and threatened aid employees, looted houses and medical provides, and forcibly conscripted younger folks into the navy.”
Airstrikes on civilian targets surged within the aftermath, surpassing pre-earthquake ranges. The well being system was additionally focused, with 169 assaults on medical amenities and personnel within the first eight months of 2025, whereas meals shortages in central Rakhine state worsened sharply, leaving 58 per cent of households unable to satisfy fundamental wants.
“The disaster is getting worse on daily basis,” he warned. “This isn’t solely a nationwide tragedy; it’s affecting your complete area and past.”
Lack of funds imperilling efforts
Mr. Koumjian additionally warned {that a} funding shortfall might quickly pressure the Mechanism to lose one-third of its workers – together with consultants on gender-based crimes and crimes towards kids – undermining accountability efforts.
“Pursuing justice for the crimes dedicated in Myanmar sends an vital message,” he mentioned, “that the worldwide neighborhood is not going to stand by when civilians are focused and worldwide regulation ignored.”
A normal view reveals an IDP camp in japanese Myanmar.
‘Time is slipping away’
Julie Bishop, the Secretary-Normal’s Particular Envoy on Myanmar, echoed these considerations, urging renewed diplomatic engagement as “time is slipping away.”
She described a “deeply disturbing sample of indiscriminate assaults on civilians” and mentioned Myanmar’s deliberate elections threat “deepening violence and instability” as opposition teams reject them as illegitimate.
She warned that those that assist these elections “ought to take into account potential penalties…no elections ought to threat human lives.”
Impartial consultants
The Impartial Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) and the Particular Rapporteur on the human rights scenario within the nation are each mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to observe abuses and pursue accountability.
The IIMM is tasked with accumulating and preserving proof of worldwide crimes for future judicial proceedings.
The Particular Rapporteur is an impartial knowledgeable, not a UN workers member, who stories impartially on human rights circumstances.
