The UN fact-finding mission on Myanmar has found no improvement in the ground situation and fears a serious risk of “genocide recurring” against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority.
In its final report to the UN, the mission has urged the international community not to pursue its economic interests at the expense of human rights in Myanmar.
“Targeted sanctions against the Tatmadav companies, and its commanders, must be imposed,” said Yanghee Lee, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
Talking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, Ms Lee said the Burmese military is prosecuting a rising number of protesters, activists and journalists who are critical of it.
She said rather than amend or repeal the repressive laws that restrict the democratic space in the country, the government is wielding these against critics.
The Special Rapporteur said last month, up to 30,000 Rohingya were arrested in the Ayeyarwady region for having left the Rakhine state, and charged with criminal offences.
“Eight children were sent to a detention centre, including a five-year-old who was incarcerated with his mother,” said Ms Lee.
“There must be an end to the impunity that perpetuates this system of oppression,” she added.
The mission has called for the entire situation in Myanmar to be referred to the International Criminal Court, or an international tribunal established to ensure justice for the people of Myanmar.
On Tuesday, the mission’s head, Marzuki Darusman, said there was a strong inference of continued genocidal intent on the part of the state in relation to the Rohingya Muslims.
"Myanmar is failing in its obligations under the Genocide Convention to prevent genocide, to investigate genocide and to enact effective legislation and to enact effective legislation criminalizing and punishing genocide," he said, according to the Associated Press.
The mission has found that in Rakhine State, the number of people displaced from their homes, because of the fighting between the Tatmadaw (armed forces of Mynamar) and the Arakan army has reached more than 60,000.
“I remain resolute in my belief that it is not safe for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to be returned to Myanmar until the fundamental circumstances, leading to their expulsion is remedied,” said Ms Lee.
Myanmar government has said it doesn't recognise the fact-finding mission. Its ambassador to the UN called the mission's views "one-sided" and based on "misleading information and secondary sources."