Madam Vice- President, Members of the FFM,
FIDH and its member organizations ALTSEAN-Burma and Odhikar wish to thank the FFM members and staff for the tremendous work they have done over the past two and a half years.
The publication of three critical reports are among the FFM’s most tangible achievements. They represent a milestone in the quest for truth, justice, and reparations for the gravest crimes committed by Myanmar’s security forces against civilian populations in ethnic minority areas, including Rakhine, Shan, and Kachin States.
We now encourage all members of the Council to fully support all possible avenues for accountability for such crimes. Your crucial backing is needed for:
1. The work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar.
2. A UN Security Council referral of the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court, accompanied by a strong commitment to cooperate with the Court.
3. The work of the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court with regard to the yet-to-be authorized investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed against Rohingya.
4. Investigations and prosecutions of Myanmar individuals accused of committing international crimes in Myanmar, in application of the principle of extra-territorial jurisdiction.
We take note of, and welcome, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s decision to seek legal action against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice for the alleged breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
To conclude, we would like to ask the FFM: “Are there any specific issues or areas that you think the FFM hasn’t sufficiently addressed and where more needs to be done, not only by UN mechanisms, but also by NGOs?”
Thank you.