Independent UN body to collect data on Myanmar killings

The top United Nations human rights body on Thursday decided to establish a new independent mechanism to collect and analyze evidence of genocide and human rights violations against Rakhine Muslims in Myanmar.

The UN Human Rights Council voted in its 39th session in Geneva "to establish an ongoing independent mechanism to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyze evidence of the most serious international crimes and violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011".

Thirty-five members, out of 47, voted in favor while China, the Philippines and Burundi voted against the resolution. Seven others abstained.

The motion had been prepared by the European Union (EU) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The quasi-judicial mechanism will be responsible for collecting evidence of atrocities and human rights violations against Rakhine Muslims and prepare indictment for a possible future criminal proceeding.

Persecuted Rohingya​

Since Aug. 25, 2017, more than 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar's state forces, according to the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).

In a report, "Forced Migration of Rohingya: The Untold Experience", the OIDA increased the estimated number of murdered Rohingya to 23,962 (±881) from an earlier Doctors Without Borders figure of 9,400.

More than 34,000 Rohingya were also thrown into fires, while over 114,000 others were beaten, the OIDA report said, adding that 17,718 (±780) Rohingya women and girls were raped by the Myanmar army and police.

More than 115,000 Rohingya houses were burned and 113,000 others were vandalized, it added.

According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly children and women, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after state forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community.

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

The UN documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces. In its report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.