Fortify Rights has called on the International Labour Organization (ILO) to refer the Myanmar military council to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for human rights violations, including forced labor and mandatory military service. The request comes as the 113th International Labour Conference begins in Geneva, Switzerland, where a decision is pending on comprehensive economic sanctions against the military council. In their letter to ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo, Fortify Rights recommended necessary actions including referring Myanmar’s situation to the ICC, implementing targeted sanctions, and supporting exiled labor unions and other human rights defenders.
According to the ILO Commission of Inquiry’s report from August 2023, the military council has systematically violated basic civilian rights and ILO conventions on labor rights and prevention of forced labor. The report documented the military council’s crimes against trade union members, including killings, arbitrary arrests, show trials, sentencing, torture, threats, surveillance, deportation, loss of basic civil liberties, and workplace persecution due to their union membership and activities. The report also revealed sexual violence against women trade union leaders. The military has been conducting ‘systematic and widespread’ forced labor practices during military operations, including portering and use of human shields.
Fortify Rights’ investigation revealed that Rohingya armed groups are collaborating with the Myanmar military council to kidnap Rohingya refugees from camps in Bangladesh for forced military service. It was found that approximately 1,700 Rohingya refugees were forcibly recruited between March and May 2024. In their letter to the ILO Director-General, Fortify Rights urged member states to impose targeted sanctions against Myanmar military leaders and their capabilities, and to suspend Myanmar from trade agreements. The organization also called for ILO member states to suspend all military council representatives and fully recognize and engage with the National Unity Government.
