Political analysts said that Tatmadaw (Defence Services) should mandatorily take action against perpetrators found in a final report submitted by the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE).
Among the 22-point recommendations mentioned in this ICOE report, the commission recommended conducting further necessary criminal investigations by Union Attorney General Office and Military Advocate General Office.
Tagaung Institute Director Ye Myo Hein said, “Tatmadaw had already said that they would take action if necessary facts and evidence were found so that they should take action against those committed these crimes mandatorily if this ICOE gave sound evidence.”
Tatmadaw said that they would study all recommendations concerned with the Tatmadaw mentioned in this ICOE report and also Military Advocate General Office responded that they would study the entire report in detail.
Tatmadaw issued a press release which says that Tatmadaw performed its duty in Rakhine State to safeguard the lives, properties and interests of the local people there but their Enquiry Tribunal would conduct further investigations on those who did wrongdoing under different levels of command.
Human Rights group, ‘Equality Myanmar’, Director Aung Myo Min said that ICOE report pointed out the war crimes committed by Tatmadaw and other armed groups so that Tatmadaw should conduct further investigations in this regard.
“And also the judiciary must take deterrent action against those perpetrators,” he added.
Currently, Myanmar is facing trial at International Court of Justice in case of allegedly committing a massacre in Rakhine State with genocidal intent.
President also agreed to conduct further investigations as recommended by ICOE report and to prosecute these perpetrators if concrete evidence were found.
President reportedly notified Union Attorney General to explore in consultation with the Military Advocate General accordingly how to conduct further investigations on these heinous crimes committed by these perpetrators from members of ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army) and their collaborators and to prosecute them in accordance with the law.
President Win Myint received the final report of ICOE on January 21 and according to a statement issued by President Office, the final report has over 450 pages and contains 31 annexes and presented its findings, observations and recommendations extensively in this report.
President established this ICOE with former Philippines Foreign Minister Rosario G. Manalo as chairperson, and the members of this commission are former UN Under-Secretary-General of Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and retired Japanese diplomat Mr Kenzo Shima, Former Union of Myanmar Constitutional Tribunal Chairperson Mya Thein and former professor Dr Aung Tun Thet.
