GENEVA

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) on Friday called for witnesses and others with direct knowledge to come forward with information about a deadly airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State earlier this week.

In a statement, the mechanism said an air attack on Mrauk-U General Hospital on Dec. 10 reportedly struck the 300-bed facility while it was full of patients, killing at least 30 people and injuring at least 70 others.

The IIMM said hospitals are specially protected civilian objects under international law and "must not be attacked," noting that this protection also extends to medical personnel and the sick and wounded.

"Deliberate or indiscriminate attacks against these protected persons and objects is a violation of international law and may constitute a war crime," it said.

The incident may be "one of the deadliest attacks on hospitals" since Myanmar's military takeover in Feb. 2021, the statement said, adding that repeated attacks on medical facilities have further limited civilians’ access to essential services amid ongoing conflict and violence.

The mechanism said it is seeking first-hand information from survivors, patients, caregivers, medical personnel, and other witnesses, as well as organizations with direct knowledge of the incident.

It is requesting details on casualties and injuries, damage to the hospital and surrounding buildings, the aircraft and weapons used, the origin of the aircraft, any material or financial support that may have facilitated the attack, the personnel involved, and whether evacuation warnings were issued prior to the strike.

UN expert urges UK to lead international response on Myanmar

Separately, a UN expert on Friday urged the UK to help mobilize international opposition to Myanmar's military junta and its planned elections later this month.

"I am heartened by the United Kingdom's rejection of the junta's election scheme," Tom Andrews, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said in a statement at the end of his visit to the UK.

"I urge the UK Government to proactively reach out to other Governments, especially those in Asia, to ensure they do the same. A strong, coordinated rejection of these sham elections is essential to deny the junta the means to fabricate credibility and legitimacy," he said.

Andrews said the UK should take stronger action as the human rights situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate. "While the military continues to escalate its attacks on civilian targets, there have been no new targeted UK sanctions issued against the junta since October 2024 and protection pathways for desperate Myanmar people appear to be narrowing under newly announced policies," he said.

He also criticized the UN Security Council's response to the crisis and added: "As Security Council penholder on Myanmar, I urge the UK Government to increase the visibility of the crisis while demanding junta accountability."

Referring to the hospital bombing in Rakhine State, Andrews said he was horrified by the attack on Mrauk-U General Hospital on Human Rights Day.

"This attack, carried out on a day when we reaffirm our commitment to human rights, illustrates and underscores the junta’s complete disregard for civilian lives and blatant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law," he said.

"The United Kingdom is in a unique position to help drive a strong international response," Andrews said. "The people of Myanmar have shown extraordinary courage. They deserve an international response that matches their determination."