Item 2: Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Madame President,

CSW welcomes the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and thanks the Mechanism for its continued work.

The mandate of the Mechanism has become even more pressing in light of the military coup of 1 February 2021.

As a result of the coup, Myanmar is now in the hands of the military generals who the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission recommended be investigated and prosecuted for crimes against humanity and war crimes, including the crime of genocide in Rakhine state.

We share the Mechanism’s preliminary findings that events in the country since the coup may amount to further crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, imprisonment, sexual violence, enforced disappearance and torture. We are troubled by reports of military airstrikes and attacks on civilians in Kayah, Karen, Kachin and Chin States.

CSW therefore reiterates calls on the Myanmar military to end the state of emergency, to respect all human rights of the people of Myanmar and to allow a sustained democratic transition.

We also echo the Mechanism’s call to ensure that the mandate is adequately resourced in terms of staffing, location and operational freedom so that it can work as effectively as possible.

As the mechanism’s report states, “recent events are a stark reminder of the dangers of impunity and the need to ensure accountability for all those who have committed serious international crimes, in order to break the cycle of violence and protect all the peoples of Myanmar.”[1]

Thank you.