It documents the rampant use of systematic torture occurring in Myanmar’s places of detention, particularly after the military coup on February 1, 2021. The IIMM was established in 2018 in order to address non-adherence to the gravest abuses of international law. Since 2011, it has played a leading role in investigating abuses in Myanmar. These discoveries paint a picture of the country’s pressing human rights crisis. In particular, they examine the pain experienced by children from two to seventeen years of age.
The report shows how the IIMM has gathered information from more than 1,300 sources, including hundreds of eyewitness testimonies. This massive archival data gathering has led to the shocking first-person accounts of the torture practices instituted on detainees. These tactics range from beatings, electric shocks, gang rape and strangulation. The IIMM’s investigation encompasses crimes against the Rohingya minority, particularly incidents that occurred in 2017, as well as abuses affecting various groups since the military seized power.
Investigative Focus and Findings
The key findings and recommendations from the IIMM’s report—marked as a first legal step toward accountability—are informed by a year of forensic evidence, documents, and photographs collected through June 30. It is frightening that so many victims were able to name their torturers. Calling attention to this would be a huge step in increasing future convictions.
Nicholas Koumjian, the head of the IIMM, stressed the significance of these findings. He stated, “People often know the names or they certainly know the faces of those who torture them or who torture their friends.” This identification process is a potentially important step towards greater accountability and justice for the victims.
The report features an upfront torture provision—the inclusion of this provision is important to push the documentation of specific and egregious abuses. This amazing documentation transforms into powerful, actionable evidence during litigation. Koumjian noted, “We have uncovered significant evidence, including eyewitness testimony, showing systematic torture in Myanmar detention facilities.” This robust body of empirical evidence bolsters current and prospective efforts by jurisdictions such as Britain and the International Criminal Court investigating alleged crimes.
Funding Challenges Ahead
Even with this critical work underway, the IIMM is slated to face major challenges from upcoming UN budget cuts. This year-end will mark the depletion of donations to support ongoing research into sexual violence and crimes against children. Take action today to ensure this vital work continues! Funding for witness security is projected to run out by year’s end.
Koumjian cautioned that these budgetary restrictions might greatly threaten the IIMM’s capacity to pursue its important work going forward. He remarked, “All of this would have a very substantial effect on our ability to continue to document the crimes and provide evidence that will be useful to jurisdictions prosecuting these cases.” The threat to future investigations is especially acute given the potential loss of funding. It further endangers the safety of critical witnesses and victims, endangering those who have courageously stepped forward.
The Broader Implications
The IIMM’s findings portend grave repercussions for accountability. In doing so, they simultaneously draw important international attention to the broader crisis of human rights abuses currently being perpetrated in Myanmar under military rule. The systematic pattern of these abuses demands immediate international attention and pressure to act.
As the IIMM deepens its work, the need for sustained support from the international community grows more acute. Yet even if a good mechanism is established, it’s important to make sure it works well. Only then can we hold perpetrators accountable and provide justice to victims, many of whom have suffered unspeakable atrocities.
