The ICJ today urged the UN Human Rights Council and its Member States to work to ensure accountability for gross human rights violations and likely crimes against humanity committeed in Myanmar during the interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
The statement reads as follows:
“Madam President,
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) welcomes the updates provided by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
Reports by different mandate holders indicate that the military junta has likely committed crimes against humanity. Escalating direct military attacks against civilians and civilian objects in some conflict-affected areas are indicative of widespread criminal lawlessness by the junta.
The ICJ calls upon the Council and its member States to act to prevent further atrocities by Myanmar’s military: the same military that is being investigated for genocide and crimes against humanity by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, respectively.
The ICJ supports the call made by the Special Rapporteur for a coordinated international arms embargo that would end the sale of weapons and the transfer of dual-use technology to the military junta. It further calls on the Council and the member states to ensure continuous monitoring and reporting of the situation and to extend all necessary cooperation to accountability mechanisms to ensure accountability for the atrocities committed and to prevent future atrocities.
I thank you.”
Contact:
Massimo Frigo, ICJ UN Representative, e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org, t: +41797499949