The United Nations’ investigation into atrocities committed against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority faces severe disruption due to millions of dollars in funding cuts, risking impunity for perpetrators of ethnic cleansing. Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), warned that budget shortfalls could halt critical projects, including probes into sexual violence and crimes against children, and undermine evidence-gathering for ongoing international trials.
The IIMM, established in 2018 by the UN Human Rights Council, requires $15 million annually but has only 73% of its budget available due to a UN liquidity crisis. A nearly $9 million shortfall in voluntary grants, previously funded by donors like Britain, Canada, and the EU threatens its operations. The Trump administration has terminated two of three U.S. grants, exacerbating the crisis. Koumjian emphasized that without urgent funding by year-end, open-source evidence analysis and witness protection programs will cease.
The IIMM has submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC), International Court of Justice (ICJ), and national jurisdictions like Argentina and Britain. Funding cuts have already forced the suspension of witness protection and counseling services, endangering individuals in "life-threatening situations." Koumjian stated this could "send a message of impunity" to perpetrators, hindering convictions. The mechanism recently documented systematic torture by Myanmar security forces and identified 43 military-linked social media accounts fomenting hatred during the 2017 campaign.
Myanmar’s military government continues to deny allegations, insisting its 2017 operations were a "legitimate counter-terrorism campaign" against Muslim militants. However, prosecutors globally have classified the violence as ethnic cleansing, noting that over 1 million Rohingya fled atrocities. The funding crisis coincides with Myanmar’s ongoing civil war and humanitarian disasters, including a recent earthquake that killed thousands, where the junta restricted aid to opposition-held areas.
The IIMM’s work is pivotal for accountability in a conflict marked by junta airstrikes on civilians and alleged genocide. Koumjian, a veteran war crimes prosecutor, stressed that reduced capacity could irreparably damage justice efforts. As the U.S. and other donors scale back support, advocates urge the international community to prioritize funding to ensure perpetrators face justice and victims receive recognition.