Myanmar Human Rights Violations Report By Independent Fact-Finding Mission (2018).pdf

The Human Rights Council's thirty-ninth session from September 10-28, 2018, addressed human rights situations requiring attention, focusing on Myanmar through the report of an independent international fact-finding mission. Established by resolution 34/22, the mission examined serious human rights violations and abuses in Kachin, Rakhine, and Shan States since 2011, including infringements on fundamental freedoms and hate speech.

The mission identified consistent patterns of severe human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law, primarily committed by Myanmar's security forces. These operations often targeted civilians deliberately, with many actions amounting to grave crimes under international law. Due to a pervasive culture of impunity domestically, the mission emphasized that accountability must come from the international community.

The report recommended investigating and prosecuting senior Myanmar military generals in an international criminal tribunal for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Despite appeals by the Human Rights Council, the Government of Myanmar did not cooperate with the mission, which had limited informal contact but received no official response to its requests for information or access.

The mission's mandate was to establish facts about alleged human rights violations since 2011 in specific states, focusing on significant incidents to reveal broader patterns. Findings were based on a "reasonable grounds" standard of proof, supported by extensive primary information from interviews with victims and eyewitnesses.