Crimes against Humanity
Countries that have supported the call for a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma
| European Union Members “The proposed Commission of Inquiry would certainly help Burma/Myanmar in the process of the needed transition to democracy.”Slovak Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs – August 2010 |
Rest of the world “I would like to underscore the American commitment to seek accountability for the human rights violations that have occurred in Burma by working to establish an international Commission of Inquiry through close consultations with our friends, allies, and other partners at the United Nations.”U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton – 28th October 2010 |
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| Support from organisations in Burma Supporting organisations include:National League for Democracy National Democratic Front 88 Generation Students Committee Representing the People’s Parliament United Nationalities Alliance Women’s League of Burma Assistance Association for Political Prisoners – Burma All Burma Monks Alliance Burma Lawyers Council Federation of Trade Unions – Burma Karen National Union Burma Partnership All Burma Federation of Student Unions Burma Fund – UN Office |
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Crimes against Humanity
“There is no doubt that the Burmese military junta is responsible for serious human rights violations and that they should be held to account.”
Former Foreign Secretary
William Hague
For many years the United Nations has ignored widespread and systematic crimes committed by Burma’s military, including the destruction of more than 3,500 villages in eastern Burma, widespread use of rape as a weapon of war against ethnic minorities, the forced displacement of over 1 million refugees and internally displaced people, tens of thousands of child soldiers, and the abundant use of forced labour in the country.
For decades the United Nations has been documenting these serious and systematic human rights abuses committed by Burma’s military, abuses which break international law. Yet no action has been taken to end the impunity which Burma’s military-backed government enjoys.
Burma’s new constitution, which came into force after fake elections on 7 November 2010, grants immunity from prosecution for those who have committed these crimes. This is why it is up to the international community to take action to end the impunity with which the military-backed government commits these crimes.
In March 2010, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Burma called for a United Nations Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. The United Kingdom, France, USA and Australia are among the countries that expressed support for such an inquiry.
The following are statements in support of a Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity in Burma.
- NDF statement in support of a Commission of Inquiry (PDF Format)
The National Democratic Front (NDF) is a military alliance of eight ethnic resistance groups in Burma. - Nobel Laureates letter to UNSC (PDF Format)
- Nobel Women’s Initiative (PDF Format)
- Conservative Party supports Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity
- Former UN Special Rapporteurs for Human Rights in Burma call on EU to support a Commission of Inquiry (PDF Format)
- Click here to see a list of countries and organisations that expressed support for a UN Commission on Inquiry