Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), reported to the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee that international crimes in Myanmar are increasing in frequency and severity. He highlighted that civilians of all ethnicities are severely affected, citing evidence of torture and sexual violence against detainees by military authorities. Koumjian also noted that summary executions and attacks on schools, hospitals, and places of worship have been documented as the military increasingly uses airstrikes. In Rakhine state, the military’s harsh response to the Arakan Army’s seizure of territory has left civilians destitute and starving. Koumjian mentioned gathering evidence of alleged atrocities, including drone attacks, executions, rape, torture, and obstruction of humanitarian aid.
Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights situation in Myanmar, expressed concern as the situation has significantly worsened, with nearly 22 million people needing aid and 16.7 million facing acute food insecurity. March earthquakes left about 200,000 homeless, damaged 157,000 buildings, and caused around $11 billion in losses. Andrews criticized the military junta for turning the natural disaster into a humanitarian catastrophe by blocking aid, harassing relief workers, looting, and conscripting youth. Following the earthquakes, airstrikes on civilian targets rose beyond pre-earthquake levels, and 169 attacks on medical facilities were recorded in early 2025. Food shortages in central Rakhine also intensified, affecting 58 percent of families. Andrews warned that the crisis threatens the region and beyond.
Koumjian also cautioned that a funding shortage might force the Mechanism to reduce its staff, including experts on gender-based crimes, undermining accountability efforts. He stressed the importance of pursuing justice for crimes committed in Myanmar to signal that the international community will not tolerate targeting civilians or ignoring international law.
Julie Bishop, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, urged renewed diplomatic engagement, warning that “time is slipping away.” She described a pattern of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and warned that Myanmar’s planned elections could deepen violence as opposition groups reject them. Bishop advised considering the consequences of supporting the elections, emphasizing that no elections should endanger lives.
The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) and the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar are both UN-mandated to monitor abuses and ensure accountability. The IIMM collects and preserves evidence of international crimes for future judicial proceedings. The Special Rapporteur, an independent expert, reports on human rights conditions impartially.
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