UNITED NATIONS, Oct 25:Marzuki Darusman, the Chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Myanmar, inside the 15-member Council, said that unless impunity is addressed, violence and its associated atrocity crimes will continue to occur.
The head of the Fact-Finding Mission also called on Council members to impose “targeted, individual sanctions” against those most responsible for serious crimes under international law, noting that the report identified six of Tatmadaw’s most senior Generals, with command responsibility for the ‘clearance operations’ in Rakhine state, starting with its Commander-in-Chief.
“They must cease to benefit from all international support, both intuitionally and personally. This includes an arms embargo on Myanmar and a prohibition of all transactions with Tatmadaw-affiliated enterprises,” he urged.
Discussion over the Mission’s report went ahead after an objection on the subject was defeated by a vote of 9 in favour of the discussion, 3 against and 3 abstentions.
Speaking alongside Mr Darusman at the press conference, Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, called on the Security Council “to come together” and refer the country to the International Criminal Court (ICC) without any delay.
She also said that harassment of lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders continues, and voiced concern over prevailing impunity in the country.
The civilian Government in Myanmar ‘can do a lot’ to address the situation, said Ms Lee, adding “but they are either tacitly or explicitly choosing not to do anything.” (UNI)
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