Potential Executions in Myanmar May Constitute Crimes Against Humanity, Warns UN

The United Nations' Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar has received reports that several individuals sentenced to death in closed trials last year could be executed soon. The head of the mechanism warned that such actions may constitute crimes against humanity, given the lack of fair trial guarantees.

The United Nations' team of investigators on Myanmar has raised alarms over potential imminent executions in the country, according to its chief on Monday. The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, which was established in 2018 to scrutinize violations of international law, has received reports that individuals sentenced to death last year through closed-doors trials may soon be executed.

Myanmar's military government has yet to issue any official announcement regarding the possible executions and has not responded to Reuters' requests for comment. The investigative mechanism didn't disclose specifics about the received information, nor did it identify who might face execution.

'Imposing a death sentence, or even a period of detention, without satisfying the fundamental requirements of a fair trial could constitute crimes against humanity or war crimes,' stated Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Geneva-based body. He added that the Mechanism is actively monitoring and collecting data on cases involving the death penalty issued under potentially unjust circumstances.

The junta faced widespread international condemnation in 2022 after it carried out executions of four democracy activists accused of aiding resistance movements in the nation's first executions in decades. The military defended the executions, labeling them as 'justice for the people,' despite global outcry from even their closest neighbors.

Myanmar remains embroiled in a civil war, pitting the military against resistance forces and ethnic minority rebels. In a bid to quash opposition, the military has intensified its campaign of killings and arrests since the 2021 coup, detaining tens of thousands according to a U.N. report released last week.

Last week, U.N. rights office spokesperson Liz Throssell cited credible sources indicating at least 1,853 individuals, including 88 children, have died in custody since the coup. Both Radio Free Asia and ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights suggest anti-junta activists are the primary targets for execution, though Reuters has not independently verified these claims.

(With inputs from agencies.)