The armed conflict in Myanmar is escalating. Ethnic armed groups have captured key towns and regions, and the country’s military – known as the Tatmadaw – are employing increasingly brutal tactics, including heavy weapons and airstrikes.

Caught in the middle, civilians are bearing the brunt.

Against this background, UN News’ Vibhu Mishra spoke with Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), which monitors and collects evidence of crimes in the country.

He said as violence intensifies, new actors and alliances are emerging – and it’s incumbent on the international community to act.

Established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2018, the IIMM is mandated to collect and preserve evidence of the most serious international crimes and violations of international law and prepare files for criminal prosecution.

Previous interviews with IIMM:

• Myanmar: Technology key to aid war crimes investigations
• Myanmar citizens show ‘great desire’ for justice: Investigative Mechanism chief
• For head of Myanmar Mechanism, time is of the essence for accountability