The 51st Session of the Human Rights Council 

12 September 2022 – 7 October 2022

Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar 

12th September 2022

Statement with Meezaan Center for Human Rights and Geneva International Centre for Justice

Delivered by Martin Browne / GICJ

Thank you Mr President,

We welcome the update report from the Investigative Mechanism and commend all of those who have engaged in providing evidence of serious crimes and human rights breaches in Myanmar.

Bodies like this Mechanism are crucial in achieving justice in practice and should not be limited by a lack of funding in carrying out their necessary activities.

Recording, analysing, and progressing cases against individuals who have committed elements of crimes - particuarly Genocide - is a complex process. But the wheels of international justice must continue to turn to achieve justice for victims of these grave crimes.

Ascertaining criminal responsibility to the highest international standards sends a strong signal to future offenders, and is the most effective way to bring an end to the ongoing crimes highlighted in this report including genocide against Rohingya Muslim people, prolonged detentions, unlawful killings, and displacement across Myanmar.

Full financial and institutional support to access witnesses and documents are straightforward commitments that can be easily implemented by every State that comes to this room promising to protect basic rights.

Meezaan Center for Human Rights and Geneva International Centre for Justice strongly urge all states to give real, practical, and effective support to the Mechanisms’ investigations. This is necessary to increase accountability for serious crimes and achieve justice for the people of Myanmar. 

Thank you.