The ICJ today denounced before the UN Human Rights Council the lack of accountability for gross human rights violations and crimes under international law in Myanmar, as well as the dismal human rights situation of Rohingya and other minorities.
The statement reads as follows:
“Mr President,
The ICJ welcomes the discussion on the root causes of human rights violations against the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.
The human rights situation of the Rohingya and other minorities remains dismal. Despite the findings of widespread and systematic human rights violations, some amounting to crimes against humanity and genocide, by the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, impunity remains nearly absolute.
It is well established that widescale impunity is itself a root cause and driver of further violations, since the absence of accountability means that there is little in the way of a deterrence component to prevent these crimes. So long as the Tatmadaw enjoy complete impunity for their actions and the Rohingya and other minorities are effectively excluded from the protection of the law, massive human rights violations can be expected and the root causes of this conflict to persist.
In this context, international accountability remains an important tool not only for providing some measure of redress, but also in addressing the root causes of this conflict.
ICJ applauds important steps taken globally for accountability in the last year. However, much more must be done and can be done to fill the impunity gap that continues to exist in relation to human rights violations committed against the Rohingya and other minorities.
The ICJ would like to ask the panelists, what can the Council do to encourage its member States to ensure criminal accountability in their actions against the junta? And further, what additional measures can be used to ensure the inclusion of Rohingya and other minorities in international justice processes currently underway?
I thank you.”
Contact:
Massimo Frigo, ICJ UN Representative, e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org, t: +41797499949