UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee yesterday urged the Human Rights Council to support efforts to investigate and prosecute at the International Criminal Court (ICC) those responsible for alleged crimes that have occurred for decades across the country.

“I firmly believe that accountability for the crimes committed is the only way to end the cycles of violence faced by the people of Myanmar,” she was quoted as telling the council by a news release forwarded by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights told the Council.

“I strongly recommend the persons allegedly responsible for the violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law be investigated and prosecuted by the ICC or a credible mechanism,” she added, noting that the global body and the international community have so far failed in ensuring accountability of the crimes committed in Myanmar.

Lee noted that it has been more than 10 months since the start of the violence that forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee Myanmar, and that since that time, she has consistently reported that credible evidence exists of violations of human rights including widespread and systematic attacks by security forces against the Rohingya community, that possibly amounted to crimes against humanity.

The Special Rapporteur has also been reporting on possible war crimes and crimes against humanity by security forces in the other border areas of Myanmar, including Kachin and Shan States. Lee expressed deep concern about the apparent inability of the UN Security Council to unite to refer the situation to the ICC, and urged the Human Rights Council, as a matter of urgency, to back her proposal to establish an international accountability mechanism.

The mechanism should have three components, she said. First, to interview victims, investigate violations and abuses, document allegations of human rights violations and abuses, and consolidate the investigations undertaken by other mechanisms and UN bodies, including the Fact Finding Mission. Second, the mechanism should have legal and judicial experts, who would examine patterns and trends of human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Myanmar. Third, the mechanism would develop a framework for victim support in their pursuance of justice, reconciliation and reintegration to ensure that justice in the name of victims not operate in vacuum.

“On ensuring accountability for gross violations of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law in Myanmar, we must admit that so far the United Nations and international community have failed – once again,” she said.