The United Nations (UN) officials found that Myanmar continued to commit genocide against Rohingya. The UN investigation report, which included this finding, was submitted to the UN Security Council.
"Myanmar stands at a crossroads," said Marzuki Darusman, the Chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the country, told journalists at the UN Headquarters, in New York, on Wednesday.
"Even now, atrocities continue to be committed in Myanmar, and the remaining Rohingya community continues to suffer … it is an ongoing genocide," he said.
It can choose to acknowledge the serious human rights violations and honor the call for accountability, or it can continue on its present path of self-destruction, he added.
In September, the Fact-Finding Mission issued a hard-hitting report concluding that the widespread and systematic violence against Myanmar’s minority Muslim Rohingya community by the Tatmadaw [Myanmar’s armed forces] and other security forces amounted to "the gravest crimes under international law."
"This is an ongoing genocide, and is currently experiencing." it can be concluded that the intent of the genocide to destroy Rohingya exists,” said Darussman.
Mr. Darusman also spoke strongly against a "hardened position" adopted by the Myanmar Government, its "continued denials" and "attempts to shield itself [citing] national sovereignty" as the greatest obstacles to ensuing accountability, rule of law and respect for human rights in the country.
That response by the Government "only strengthens the case" that the international community needs to act as "accountability cannot be expected from national processes", he continued.
In its report, the Fact-Finding Mission also called on the UN Security Council to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC), or to an ad hoc tribunal for investigations and prosecutions for the crimes.
Mr. Darusman reiterated the call inside the 15-member Council on Wednesday afternoon: "Unless impunity is addressed, violence and its associated atrocity crimes will continue to occur," he said.
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 favor of the discussion, 3 against and 3 abstentions.
ILKHA