There is a growing body of evidence that crimes against humanity have been committed in Burma since last year's coup, UN investigators said on Tuesday (August 9th).
In its annual report, the UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Burma emphasizes that women and children are particularly targeted.
"
There is considerable evidence that since the military took power in February 2021, crimes have been committed in Burma on a scale and in a manner that constitutes a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population
," the organization said in a statement. a statement.
Read alsoBurma: state of emergency extended for six months
Created by the UN Human Rights Council in September 2018, this investigative mechanism aims to collect evidence on the most serious crimes in view of possible criminal proceedings.
"
Crimes against women and children are among the most serious international crimes, but they are also historically underreported
and underinvestigated," Nicholas Koumjian, head of the mechanism, said in a statement. 'investigation.
“
The perpetrators of these crimes must know that they cannot continue to act with impunity.
We collect and preserve the evidence so that they will one day be held to account
,” he stressed.
According to information available to UN investigators, "
Sexual and gender-based crimes, including rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as crimes against children have been perpetrated by members of the security forces. security and armed groups
”.
According to the report, children were tortured, recruited and arbitrarily detained.
Since the February 1, 2021 coup that overthrew former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the ruling junta has been waging a bloody crackdown on its opponents, with more than 2,100 civilians killed and nearly 15,000 arrested, according to an NGO local.
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