Canada welcomes United Nations summary report on independent international fact-finding mission on Myanmar 

August 27, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement regarding the summary report of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council’s fact-finding mission on Myanmar:

 “The conclusions and findings of the summary report contribute to the already significant information and evidence detailing crimes against humanity being committed in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine States. These include murder; imprisonment; enforced disappearance; torture; rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence; persecution and enslavement. It is unacceptable that, as the Fact-Finding Mission has found, rape and sexual violence have been used “as part of a deliberate strategy” and tactic of war by Myanmar’s security forces.

“In addition, the findings underscore those of Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar Bob Rae’s final report. Special Envoy Rae’s report brought greater awareness to the gross violations of human rights faced by hundreds of thousands of people in Myanmar, including Rohingya communities, other religious and ethnic minorities, and women and girls.

“Canada welcomes the fact-finding mission’s conclusion that senior officials in the Tatmadaw chain of command should be investigated and prosecuted in order to ensure a competent court can determine their responsibility for genocide in relation to the situation in Rakhine state.”

“Canada will continue to work closely with other states, international organizations and partners as well as civil society to hold those responsible for such international crimes to account, including through the establishment of an international accountability mechanism.”

Associated Links

• Report of Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar
• Canada and the crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State