Escalating War Crimes in Myanmar: Aerial Bombings and Mass Executions
A new report by the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (Mechanism) has revealed mounting evidence of war crimes in Myanmar, including aerial bombings and mass executions, perpetrated by the country’s military and its affiliated militias. The report, released on August 8, highlights the alarming increase in the frequency and audacity of these crimes against humanity.
According to the Mechanism, one of the most heinous war crimes committed by the Myanmar military is indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks on civilians through aerial bombings. In April, a military airstrike in Sagaing claimed the lives of over 155 people. The mass executions of both civilians and detained combatants have also become more prevalent, along with the deliberate burning of civilian homes and buildings, which has led to the complete destruction of entire villages in some cases.
Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Mechanism, expressed his shock at the devastation caused to communities by these ruthless acts. He stated, Our evidence points to a dramatic increase in war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country, with widespread and systematic attacks against civilians, and we are building case files that can be used by courts to hold individual perpetrators responsible.
The Myanmar military has attempted to justify its aerial bombings, even on schools and monasteries, as attacks targeting military objectives. However, the evidence collected by the Mechanism indicates that the military either knew or should have known that significant numbers of civilians were present in or around these alleged military targets during some of the attacks.
Under international law, military commanders have a responsibility to prevent and punish war crimes committed by those under their command. Failing to take appropriate action can result in criminal liability for these commanders. The Mechanism highlights that repeatedly ignoring such crimes may indicate that the higher authorities intended the commission of these crimes.
To investigate the most serious international crimes committed in Myanmar, the Mechanism has gathered information from over 700 sources, including over 200 eyewitness accounts, as well as additional evidence such as photographs, videos, audio material, documents, maps, geospatial imagery, social media posts, and forensic findings.
The UN Human Rights Council continues its active probe into the violence that triggered the mass displacement of the Rohingya community from Myanmar between 2016 and 2017. The report emphasizes the prevalence of sexual and gender-based crimes committed against the Rohingya during this period. Koumjian highlighted the gravity of these crimes, stating, Sexual and gender-based crimes are amongst the most heinous crimes that we are investigating. Most witnesses we have interviewed have relevant evidence about this, given their pervasive nature during the Rohingya clearance operations.
This report sheds light on the alarming escalation of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Myanmar. The Mechanism’s diligent investigation and collection of evidence pave the way for accountability and justice, ensuring that individual perpetrators are held responsible for their actions. It remains crucial to bring attention to these atrocities and strive for a world where such crimes are prevented and punished appropriately. Myanmar must reckon with its dark past and work towards a future built on peace, reconciliation, and respect for human rights.
