![\"\"](\"https:\/\/equalitymyanmar.org\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/joint-st-e1611198931215-300x69.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
UN Human Rights Council creates a mechanism on Myanmar to gather evidence and prepare files for prosecution of Mass Atrocity Crimes<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n (Geneva 27 September 2018) Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Equality Myanmar, Progressive Voice, Women\u2019s Peace Network-Arakan, Kachin Women\u2019s Association Thailand, and Rohingya Women Welfare Society welcome the UN Human Rights Council\u2019s resolution today on Myanmar as an important landmark in the quest for justice and accountability. The resolution creates a new mechanism to collect and preserve evidence, and prepare case files on perpetrators of mass atrocities for use in future criminal proceedings. The resolution follows a report by the Council\u2019s Fact Finding Mission on Myanmar, which calls for the investigation and prosecution of the Myanmar military for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.<\/p>\n \u201cThe establishment of a UN body to prepare files for prosecution and to collect evidence of mass atrocity crimes is a ray of hope for victims and survivors of horrific atrocities in Myanmar,\u201d said Wai Wai Nu of Women\u2019s Peace Network-Arakan. This is will ensure that these crimes and perpetrators are not forgotten and strengthen the hope for actual trial and prosecutions in the near future,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n The resolution condemns gross violations and recalls the authority of the Security Council to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and takes note of the ICC decision that it may exercise jurisdiction on the deportation of Rohingyas from Myanmar to Bangladesh. \u201cNow the logical next step is for the UN Security Council to take the cue from the Human Rights Council and urgently refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court so that it could examine the full spectrum of mass atrocity crimes committed in Myanmar,\u201d said Khin Ohmar of Progressive Voice. \u201cThe longer the Security Council waits, the longer justice will be denied,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n The resolution\u2019s calls for accountability addresses gross violations all over Myanmar including in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan states. \u201cThe resolution\u2019s inclusive call that covers egregious violations in Kachin and Shan states comes at a time when these regions face ongoing armed conflict amidst failing peace talks and atrocities on civilians by the Myanmar military,\u201d said Stella Naw, a Kachin woman activist. \u201cThere is an urgent need for the international community to act towards ending conflict and taking steps to hold those accountable,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n The resolution also encourages the UN to independently inquire into its own involvement in Myanmar since 2011. This follows the Fact-Finding Mission\u2019s observation that UN actors in Myanmar prioritised development and quiet diplomacy while ignoring human rights concerns when mass atrocities took place. \u201cUN Secretary General Antonio Guterres\u2019 silence on this observation is deafening. He must act immediately to set up an inquiry to review and rectify the UN\u2019s system-wide engagement in Myanmar,\u201d said R. Iniyan Ilango of FORUM-ASIA. \u201cThis is not the first time this has been said about the UN\u2019s role in situations of mass atrocities. The same observation was made six years ago on Sri Lanka by a UN internal inquiry. The Human Rights Upfront Action Plan was created following this and was meant to be operational in Myanmar when gross violations unfolded. Clearly something is very wrong within the UN system,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The resolution also appeals to all states and stakeholders to assist victims including through a possible trust fund. \u201cThis is key and the UN General Assembly should act on this appeal and set up a trust fund to provide livelihood and psychosocial support to victims,\u201d said Wai Wai Nu. \u201cIn addition to such support, the General Assembly should also stipulate that refugees are not returned unless their citizenship rights, safety and equality are fully guaranteed and security upon their return is supervised by UN Human Rights bodies,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n The resolution also calls on all business enterprises to cooperate with the new mechanism it creates. The Fact-Finding Mission\u2019s findings highlighted the impact of social media on the mass atrocities that took place in Myanmar. It particularly focused on Facebook\u2019s role as a medium for the spread of hate speech. \u201cFacebook should fully commit to handing over all evidence it holds on incitement to atrocities to the new mechanism and it should take immediate steps to prevent the spread of hate speech on its platforms,\u201d said John Samuel of FORUM-ASIA.<\/p>\n ENDS<\/p>\n For more information contact:<\/p>\n\n