IIMM Announces Myanmar Military’s Spread of Anti-Rohingya Hate Speech

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) released a report on March 27, revealing that the Myanmar military actively propagated anti-Rohingya hate speech during the widespread violence against the Rohingya community in 2017.

Between July and December 2017, 43 Facebook pages were discovered to have posted over 10,000 hate speech messages, with one post amassing over 200 comments inciting violence, including shooting, killing, and expulsion of Rohingyas from Myanmar.

Facebook has since removed these pages, with a spokesperson emphasizing their stance against hate and violence. They stated their cooperation with international investigative organizations to combat crimes of international concern, including collaborating with the United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) since August 2020.

The IIMM has been sharing evidence and analyses of Rohingya-related cases under investigation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and Argentine courts.

The hate speech report and a report on gender-based crimes were both released on March 27. The Gender-based Crime Investigation Report highlights the failure of Myanmar authorities to address atrocities under international law, particularly regarding sexual violence against Rohingyas. Attempts to reach General Zaw Min Htun of the Arakan Army for comment on these reports.

Rohingya Vision News