Jonathan, Narinjara News, 26 January 2025

Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), went to Bangladesh for a five-day official visit, as announced by the IIMM on January 24.

Koumjian’s visit follows the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor’s request in November 2024 for an arrest warrant against Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, on charges of crimes against humanity, including deportation and persecution of the Rohingya.

“The current situation in Arakan State was a major concern for everyone I spoke to,” said Koumjian. 

Koumjian met with senior government officials and engaged with over 100 Rohingya activists and representatives of community organizations based in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar.  

He discussed the Mechanism’s progress in its investigations into crimes against the Rohingya, latest developments in accountability processes, and the current situation across the border. 

"Tens of thousands of Rohingya have recently arrived in Cox’s Bazar, fleeing brutal atrocities committed against them during the escalation in fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar military," he said.

“Many Rohingya that I spoke to expressed frustration that even seven and a half years after the clearance operations, conditions would not allow their communities to return to Arakan State. Ending the violence that targets civilians and pursuing justice for the crimes committed against them is a critical step in creating the conditions for the eventual safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return of Rohingya,” he added.

“I would like to express our profound gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh for their consistent cooperation with the Mechanism and for facilitating our investigations into the horrific crimes committed during the 2017 clearance operations and during the current civil conflict in Arakan State,” said Koumjian.

“I would like to stress that the Mechanism investigates all perpetrators of serious international crimes in Myanmar, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. This includes crimes committed by non-state actors,” said Koumjian.