The United Nations’ Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) issued a grave warning on Wednesday (November 26), stating it is receiving an increasing number of reports of serious international crimes being committed in the run-up to elections scheduled by the military authorities for December 28.

While the Mechanism's mandate does not cover issues of electoral fairness or constitutional violations, IIMM Head Nicholas Koumjian emphasized that specific actions taken in the context of the polls may constitute crimes against humanity. "The Mechanism has received worrying reports of actions in the context of elections which may amount to persecution and spreading terror in a civilian population as crimes against humanity," Koumjian said in a statement.

According to ANN, the military authorities enacted a law in July 2025 that severely criminalizes criticism of the planned elections, carrying draconian penalties of up to 20 years in prison or even the death penalty. The IIMM has documented the arrests of numerous individuals, including children, for activities such as online criticism of the vote or the distribution of anti-election leaflets. The mechanism is actively collecting evidence regarding arrests made "without a legal basis or without due process of law, and the resulting detentions."

The warning also focused on escalating military violence against civilian populations. The IIMM is investigating reports of increased airstrikes on civilian villages as the military attempts to reclaim territory from armed groups and secure areas where polling might be conducted.

Koumjian issued a stark warning to all involved parties. "I want to make it clear to all parties that targeting civilians is a violation of the laws of war," he stated. He added that indiscriminate airstrikes on civilian areas, as well as attacks on election participants including political candidates and vote counters may be deemed war crimes or crimes against humanity. "We are vigilantly collecting evidence of these crimes so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice," Koumjian concluded.

BOB Post