The British-government funded project, Myanmar Witness, said it would be sharing information with the United Nations’ Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, which is probing suspected international crimes in Myanmar.
"Myanmar Witness will independently collect, preserve, process, investigate, verify and review incidents of possible interferences with human rights," the group said. It said it would encourage submissions from civilians and also independently verify incidents on social media - where Myanmar citizens have posted pictures and videos that appear to show killings, assaults and other abuses.
Myanmar Witness said it had already uncovered and verified evidence of Myanmar army reprisals, shelling of civilian areas and religious buildings and indications of intention to harm, if not kill, demonstrators. Western countries and rights groups have condemned what they brand atrocities by security forces in Myanmar. The military authorities have said that they have only use force when necessary to counter threats to national security.More from ReutersSubscribe for our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox.