A/HRC/60/18
it became operational, the Mechanism has maintained two distinct investigative teams: one
dedicated to crimes against the Rohingya population (both historical and ongoing crimes)
and another focused on examining crimes committed against other groups, including those
committed since the military coup in 2021.
A.
Investigating post-coup crimes
8.
Since the military coup in February 2021, the Mechanism has collected and analysed
substantial evidence of serious international crimes committed across the country. During the
reporting period, the number of such crimes escalated significantly. The Mechanism has been
collecting new reports of the imprisonment of thousands of individuals without fundamental
due process; indiscriminate air strikes; civilian deaths in artillery and drone attacks; the
burning or destruction of homes, hospitals, schools and places of worship; and torture and
abuse committed against those in detention, including sexual violence. These investigations
have resulted in various analytical reports establishing and demonstrating the contextual
elements of crimes against humanity and war crimes, which are available for sharing with
investigative, prosecutorial and judicial authorities.
Crimes related to ongoing armed conflicts
9.
During the reporting period, the Mechanism gathered and examined large quantities
of evidence of crimes connected to ongoing armed conflicts across Myanmar, including in
Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Rakhine and Shan States and in Sagaing and Magway Regions.
Investigations into past and new incidents include: (a) indiscriminate or intentional aerial and
artillery attacks against civilians and/or civilian objects; (b) killings of civilians or combatants
detained during operations; and (c) sexual and gender-based crimes.
10.
More specifically, the Mechanism continued to secure and assess volumes of material
regarding the escalating use of air strike attacks in various locations throughout the country.
As aerial attacks impacting on civilians and civilian objects continued to escalate, the
Mechanism intensified its investigations into those incidents. The Mechanism sought
evidence of whether the strikes were targeted at military objectives or were primarily or
disproportionately targeted at civilians. Among the incidents that the Mechanism has
examined are attacks on internally displaced persons’ camps and attacks on schools, religious
buildings and health facilities in Kayah State. These incidents have caused large numbers of
civilian casualties and significant destruction of civilian infrastructure, without there being
any apparent military target in the vicinity of the areas attacked. The Mechanism is analysing
the composition of the Myanmar Air Force and its chain of command in order to identify the
perpetrators involved in the air strike attacks. In this context, the Mechanism also continues
to evaluate information on supply chains for the weapons and equipment used in the air
strikes. Moreover, the Mechanism has been examining reports on the alleged use of chemical
weapons by the Myanmar military.
11.
The Mechanism has received testimony from civilians in conflict-affected areas, many
of whom have been displaced several times. They have described the mental terror caused by
the sounds of planes, helicopters and drones overhead and the constant fear of being attacked.
Children have been particularly traumatized. The Mechanism has gathered credible
information on the increased use of drones and paramotors, in addition to jet fighters and
helicopter gunships, to deliver deadly munitions during air strikes against civilians.
12.
Despite the devastation caused by the earthquake on 28 March 2025, the military
continued to conduct air strikes in the aftermath. The air strikes continued even after the
military declared a ceasefire to assertedly facilitate rescue and humanitarian relief. The
Mechanism is closely tracking reports of humanitarian aid being blocked or confiscated in
areas affected by the earthquake. The Mechanism has also assembled credible evidence of
other instances of humanitarian assistance being blocked, such as in Sittwe in Rakhine State.
13.
During the reporting period, the volume of evidence detailing killings of civilians or
combatants detained during operations increased. The Mechanism obtained evidence of such
killings perpetrated by the security forces of Myanmar, affiliated militias and opposition
armed groups. Credible information indicates that captured soldiers, combatants and civilians
GE.25-10777
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