Geneva, August 12: United Nations investigators say they have uncovered extensive evidence of systematic torture by Myanmar’s security forces, implicating high-ranking commanders in abuses that include beatings, electric shocks, sexual violence, strangulation, and the removal of fingernails with pliers.
The findings, released Tuesday by the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), are based on more than 1,300 sources — including eyewitness testimonies, forensic evidence, documents, and photographs — covering the year to June 30. Victims include children, some detained as stand-ins for missing relatives.
“Torture was not only widespread but often identifiable by perpetrator, which can aid future prosecutions,” said Nicholas Koumjian, head of the IIMM. While the report names no individuals, it says senior military commanders are among those implicated.
The Myanmar military-backed government did not respond to UN requests for comment and has previously denied committing atrocities, blaming “terrorists” for unrest.
Myanmar has faced political turmoil since the 2021 coup ousted its elected civilian leadership, sparking a civil conflict that has left tens of thousands detained.
The IIMM is also documenting crimes against the Rohingya minority in 2017 and other alleged abuses since 2011. However, Koumjian warned that UN budget cuts threaten its work, with funds for sexual violence research and witness protection expected to run out by year’s end.
