UN's IIMM to investigate allegations of abuse against Rohingyas

Head of the UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) Nicholas Koumjian on Sunday (19 January) said they will investigate allegations of abuse against the Rohingyas, including those by the Arakan Army.

"We have the mandate to investigate abuses committed by any group or force in Myanmar, whether it's the Arakan Army, the Myanmar military, or any other entity," he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Adviser Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They also discussed the recent developments in the Rakhine State.

Koumjian briefly shared about the Mechanism and expressed his gratitude for Bangladesh's consistent support in their work.

As an accountability actor, he conveyed the Mechanism's eagerness to play a constructive role in the upcoming high-level conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.

If Rohingyas or anyone else are victims of abuse, Koumjian said they will investigate it and they are collecting evidence for this purpose.

He said evidence is being collected through modern technology, social media, and interviews with victims, despite the lack of physical access to the country.

Koumjian, who brings to this position over 35 years of experience as prosecutor, including almost 20 years of experience in the field of international criminal justice, stressed that the UN mechanism remains committed to ensuring accountability and justice for international crimes committed against Rohingyas in Myanmar.

Expressing gratitude to the Bangladesh government for its support, he acknowledged that the situation in Myanmar has deteriorated.

Despite these challenges, he said that efforts to gather evidence of abuses continue.

During the meeting, the foreign adviser appreciated the IIMM's ongoing effort to ensure justice and accountability for the victims of serious international crimes in Myanmar.

He said Bangladesh has been generously hosting the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals, but the international community has failed to create pressure on Myanmar for the return of these people, according to the MoFA.

In April 2019, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Koumjian of the United States as Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar.

Koumjian is the first Head of the Myanmar Mechanism, which was established by the Human Rights Council on 27 September 2018, and welcomed by the General Assembly on 22 December 2018.