VP/HR — Investigating genocidal intent in Inn Din (Rakhine state, Myanmar)

21.2.2018

Question for written answer E-001074-18
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Neena Gill (S&D)

A Reuters report published on 8 February 2018 outlines investigations into the torching of houses belonging to Rohingya and the massacre of 10 Rohingya men in Inn Din.

According to the report, Myanmar paramilitary police organised Buddhist residents of Inn Din and other villages to torch Rohingya homes. Security forces reportedly participated, wearing civilian clothes. 10 Rohingya men were massacred and dumped in a mass grave on 2 September 2017, after being linked to the disappearance of a Buddhist farmer.

According to criminal law experts, evidence that the military organised Buddhist civilians to commit violence against Rohingya could potentially contribute to establishing proof of genocidal intent.

With regard to the massacre of 2 September 2017, legal experts have furthermore stated that ‘evidence of the execution of men in government custody could be used to build a case of crimes against humanity against military commanders’ if it can be shown that the executions were part of a widespread or systematic campaign targeting the Rohingya population.

Will the EU take measures to ensure that investigations can be carried out into events pointing to potential genocidal intent in Inn Din and elsewhere, and accountability guaranteed?

Will the VP/HR bring reports on events in Inn Din to the attention of EU foreign ministers, with a view to adopting sanctions against Myanmar military and security personnel at the forthcoming Foreign Affairs Council?