A/HRC/63/19
were arbitrary, as arrest warrants were not shown to the individuals being arrested, nor were
they provided with any legal justification for the offences they were suspected of having
committed. The number of arrested people includes 639 minors. In some cases, children were
detained as proxies for their parents; in addition, children, including an infant as young as 6
months of age, have been detained alongside their mothers.
27.
During the reporting period, the Mechanism has collected substantial evidence
regarding specific detention locations where serious international crimes were allegedly
committed by the Myanmar security forces, including by the Myanmar military and
intelligence forces. At Yay Kyi Ai, Shwepyithar and the Nay Pyi Taw Command
Headquarters compound, detainees were interrogated over several days, during which they
were subjected to physical torture, sexualized torture, and threats of death, including death
of their family members. Women, men, boys and girls were subjected to sexualized torture
at these detention facilities. Detainees were usually kept blindfolded and handcuffed
throughout long periods of interrogation. Before being transferred to either the Shwepyithar
Yay Kyi Ai or Nay Pyi Taw interrogation centre, victims have described being first subjected
to torture at township police stations such as Myawaddy police station, Yankin police station,
Kamayut Township police station, Hlaing Township police station, Bahan Township police
station and Nay Pyi Taw police station. The Mechanism has produced analytical reports on
several interrogation centres, which include specific information about individual
interrogators and commanders.
28.
Additionally, the Mechanism has collected numerous credible reports on detainees
who died as a result of the ill-treatment they sustained during interrogations in various parts
of the country, including in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Tanintharyi.
29.
In July 2025, the Myanmar military authorities enacted a law criminalizing criticism
of the elections, carrying sentences of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and the death penalty.
The Mechanism has investigated the arrests of numerous individuals, including children,
under this law for alleged acts such as criticizing the elections on social media or distributing
“anti-election” leaflets.
30.
During the reporting period, the Mechanism investigated reproductive violence during
detention and imprisonment, particularly affecting women and girls. This includes
allegations involving the effective prohibition of the distribution of menstrual products and
the denial of necessary medical care to individuals in detention, which in some reported
instances resulted in the deaths of women who were not provided adequate postnatal care
following childbirth. Detainees were also denied access to maternal, prenatal and postnatal
healthcare and denied adequate nutrition, for both mothers and infants born in prison. At
Insein Prison, infants died after being born in detention due to poor child healthcare.
B.
Investigating current crimes committed in Rakhine State
31.
Since 2024, the Mechanism has been investigating crimes committed by all
perpetrators against Rohingya, Rakhine and other communities affected by the current armed
conflict in Rakhine State between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army. These
investigations are focused on three thematic areas: (a) indiscriminate or intentional aerial,
naval and artillery attacks against civilians or civilian objects; (b) arbitrary detentions, torture
and forced transfer of civilians from several villages; and (c) restrictions on humanitarian aid
and essential supplies in Sittwe.
32.
The conflict in Rakhine State intensified significantly during the reporting period,
with increased aerial and artillery attacks and counteroffensives and a rapidly deteriorating
humanitarian crisis. The escalating violence continues to force large numbers of individuals
to seek refuge in nearby Bangladesh and elsewhere. Despite logistical challenges in
identifying and safely engaging with such individuals, the Mechanism is conducting regular
investigative missions to Bangladesh to meet with victims and survivors to obtain critical
first-hand evidence of crimes committed by all perpetrators against Rohingya, Rakhine and
other communities affected by the armed conflict in Rakhine State.
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