The situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, with international crimes escalating in both frequency and severity, according to Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM). Addressing the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, he revealed that civilians of all ethnicities are suffering the most from the violence, including torture and sexual assault inflicted on detainees by military authorities. Koumjian emphasized that the IIMM possesses evidence identifying both perpetrators and commanding officers responsible for these crimes. His team has also recorded instances of summary executions and deliberate attacks on schools, hospitals, and religious sites, alongside an increased reliance on airstrikes by the military.
In Rakhine State, where the Arakan Army has seized most territory, the military’s retaliation has left civilians impoverished and starving. Koumjian reported evidence of atrocities such as drone strikes on civilians, executions, rape, torture, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid to populations facing famine.
Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Myanmar, described the worsening humanitarian crisis as “an invisible catastrophe.” Nearly 22 million people now require aid, with 16.7 million suffering from acute food insecurity. Earthquakes in central Myanmar earlier this year compounded the crisis, leaving 200,000 homeless and causing $11 billion in damages. Andrews accused the military of exploiting the disaster by blocking aid, threatening relief workers, looting supplies, and forcibly conscripting youth. He further highlighted a rise in airstrikes on civilian areas and at least 169 attacks on medical facilities and personnel in 2025. In central Rakhine, more than half of families cannot meet basic food needs.
Koumjian warned that a severe funding shortfall threatens to undermine accountability efforts, with potential staff cuts to the IIMM, including experts on gender-based violence and crimes against children. He stressed that pursuing justice for Myanmar’s victims sends a vital message that the world will not tolerate impunity for war crimes.
Julie Bishop, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, urged the international community to act swiftly, warning that “time is slipping away.” She described ongoing indiscriminate attacks against civilians and cautioned that Myanmar’s planned elections could further fuel instability and violence, calling on all actors to consider the human cost of supporting such polls.
The IIMM and the UN Special Rapporteur, both mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, play central roles in documenting abuses and ensuring accountability. The IIMM focuses on collecting and preserving evidence for future trials, while the Special Rapporteur independently monitors and reports on the country’s human rights situation.
