100 people joined a protest at the Germany Embassy in London today, protesting against Germany’s opposition to a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma.
The protest was held on the 23rd anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising in Burma, where more than 3,000 people were massacred by the dictatorship.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Burma has recommended an UN inquiry into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. Germany is opposing the EU supporting a UN Inquiry. This is critical, as it is the EU which drafts the UN General Assembly resolution on Burma, which can include the establishment of a UN Inquiry.
Guns used in the massacre on 8th August were supplied by Germany. Now Germany continues to assist the brutal dictatorship in Burma, opposing even a simple UN Inquiry into human rights abuses in the country.
“The German government is protecting rapists and war criminals in Burma,” said Zoya Phan, Campaigns Manager at Burma Campaign UK. “A UN Inquiry could help reduce abuses in Burma, but Germany opposes it because it puts business before human rights. The price is likely to be paid by ethnic minority women being raped, and by political prisoners still in jail.”
Actions are also taking place in Germany today, and at German Embassies in Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Ireland and Norway.
For more information contact Zoya Phan on +44(0)207 324 4710
