Systematic usage of torture by Myanmar's security units exposed in UN report
In a damning report, the United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) has accused Myanmar's security forces, including some senior-level personnel within the military-backed government, of systematic torture in detention facilities.
The report, which covers a one-year period through June 30, details numerous cases of brutal torture methods, such as beatings, electric shocks, strangulations, and fingernail removal. These atrocities were inflicted on detainees, including children detained as proxies for their parents.
The IIMM's findings are based on evidence from over 1,300 sources, including eyewitness testimonies, forensic data, documents, and photographs. Despite repeated requests, Myanmar's military-backed government did not provide information or allow access for investigations and has denied the allegations, blaming "terrorists" for unrest instead.
The IIMM has identified high-level commanders as perpetrators in the systematic torture in Myanmar. However, due to ongoing investigations and the desire to avoid alerting them, the named commanders have not been disclosed.
The report follows years of investigations by the IIMM into abuses in Myanmar, including crimes against the Rohingya minority and violations affecting all groups since the coup. Myanmar has been in chaos since the 2021 military coup, resulting in tens of thousands of people being detained.
Both Myanmar security forces and opposition armed groups have been accused of carrying out summary executions in the conflict. The U.N. report states that some victims, according to the report, died from torture, with children among those subjected to abuse.
The IIMM is supporting several jurisdictions investigating the alleged crimes, including Britain. The junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, ended a four-year state of emergency last month and announced the formation of a new government.
Nicholas Koumjian, head of the IIMM, stated that they have uncovered significant evidence of systematic torture in Myanmar detention facilities. However, the military in Myanmar claims a duty to ensure peace and security.
The IIMM's work is threatened by U.N. budget cuts, which could impact its ability to sustain its critical work and support international and national justice efforts. The military-backed government of Myanmar did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the report.
As the situation in Myanmar continues to unfold, the IIMM's findings serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights abuses taking place within the country. The international community must continue to pressure Myanmar's government to allow for investigations and hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable.
The IIMM's report on Myanmar, detailing horrific accounts of systematic torture, is a part of the general news covering war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice. The international community, aware of the ongoing abuses in Myanmar, is urging the military-backed government to not only allow access for investigations but also to hold accountable the high-level commanders named as perpetrators in these atrocities.
