UN explains why Myanmar leaders must be investigated for genocide

The Mission, established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017, found patterns of gross human rights violations and abuses committed in Kachin, Rakhine and Shan States.

Myanmar's top military generals, including Commander-in-Chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, must be investigated and prosecuted for genocide in the north of Rakhine State, as well as for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Rakhine, Kachin, and the Shan States, a report by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar* today urged.

The Mission, established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017, found patterns of gross human rights violations and abuses committed in Kachin, Rakhine and Shan States that "undoubtedly amount to the gravest crimes under international law", principally by Myanmar's military, the Tatmadaw, but also by other security forces.

Watch UN experts explain why Tatmadaw leaders in #Myanmar must be investigated for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes. 📺 Full video: https://t.co/s6luT4VqZ0➡️Learn more about the new UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission report: https://t.co/q8OP45blE2 pic.twitter.com/L9AeS0jmPH

— HRC SECRETARIAT (@UN_HRC) August 27, 2018

"Military necessity would never justify killing indiscriminately, gang-raping women, assaulting children, and burning entire villages. The Tatmadaw's tactics are consistently and grossly disproportionate to actual security threats, especially in Rakhine State, but also in northern Myanmar," the report states.

"They are shocking for the level of denial, normalcy, and impunity that is attached to them. The Tatmadaw's contempt for human life, integrity and freedom, and for international law generally, should be a cause of concern for the entire population."

The crimes against humanity committed in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine States include murder; imprisonment; enforced disappearance; torture; rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence; persecution and enslavement. In addition, in Rakhine State, the elements of the crimes against humanity of extermination and deportation are also present.

The Mission also concluded, "there is sufficient information to warrant the investigation and prosecution of senior officials in the Tatmadaw chain of command so that a competent court can determine their liability for genocide in relation to the situation in Rakhine State."