The UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) revealed on Monday significant findings regarding the appropriation and repurposing of Rohingya lands by Myanmar authorities, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Border Guard Police (BGP), alongside private corporations. The findings arose from investigations into the military’s 2017 operations in Rakhine State, which had previously been criticized internationally as having "genocidal intent."

According to the IIMM's public summary released this week, after the Rohingya population was driven out, their homes, mosques, shops, and farmlands were systematically destroyed. These areas were subsequently converted into BGP bases and other security-related infrastructures. The IIMM utilized witness accounts, satellite imagery, videos, and official records to document the changes, particularly highlighting the transformation of over 411 acres in the Myo Thu Gyi village tract where more than 800 structures were razed by 2018.

The report named the Asia World Company among the corporations involved in constructing bases, roads, and security outposts on the seized land. It was noted that the expansion of BGP facilities was financially backed and directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, with the BGP occupying the confiscated properties.

The repercussions of these actions are profound for the displaced Rohingya, with the IIMM emphasizing the challenges to their repatriation. Many cannot return simply because "their homes, even their villages, no longer exist." The report argues that restitution or significant assistance is necessary to facilitate a safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return of the Rohingya people.

The 2017 military crackdown led to over 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, exacerbating the decades-long persecution faced by this Muslim minority. The ongoing international legal battles include proceedings at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, scrutinizing Myanmar's actions against the Rohingya under charges of genocide and other severe crimes.

The IIMM, established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2018, continues its mission to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence that supports international, regional, and national accountability efforts. The detailed findings, still confidential, hold specific names of companies and individuals involved, preserved for potential future prosecutions or reparations. This evidence will be made available to competent authorities to aid in these legal and restorative processes.