Serious international crimes may be committed ahead of Myanmar elections, warns Myanmar Mechanism

There are an increasing number of reports of serious international crimes committed in Myanmar in the run-up to the elections planned by the Myanmar military authorities which are due to begin on 28 December, warns the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (Mechanism).

“Conducting an election that is not free and fair, or which violates a country’s constitution, does not constitute a crime within the Mechanism’s mandate – which is limited to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. However, 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,” said Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Mechanism.

In July 2025, the Myanmar military authorities enacted a law which criminalizes mere criticism of the elections, which carries punishments of up to 20 years and the death penalty. The Mechanism has collected reports of numerous people, including children, arrested under this law for alleged actions including criticizing the elections on social media and handing out anti-election leaflets. It is collecting evidence of any such arrests without a legal basis or without due process of law, and the resulting detentions.

The Mechanism is also investigating reports of increased airstrikes on villages inhabited by civilians, to regain territory currently under the control of armed groups which would allow the Myanmar military to expand the areas where elections could be held.

“I want to make it clear to all parties that targeting civilians is a violation of the laws of war,” said Koumjian. “Indiscriminate airstrikes on areas where civilians are present, as well as attacks on anyone participating in the elections, such as political candidates and people involved in counting votes, may be considered war crimes or crimes against humanity. We are vigilantly collecting evidence of these crimes so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.”

Anyone with information to share should please contact the Mechanism on Signal +41 76 691 12 08. Turn on disappearing messages in Signal so that the messages in the chat are automatically deleted. The Mechanism urges people to prioritize their safety and to only make contact when it is safe to do so.

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