War Crimes in Burma
For two years we have been campaigning to raise awareness about the horrific human rights abuses being committed by the Burmese Army out of sight in the mountainous border areas of Burma, where ethnic minorities live.
Crimes committed by the Burmese Army since the election last year include the mass use of gang-rape of ethnic minority women and girls, continued recruitment of child soldiers, and deliberate targeting of civilians, including mortar bombing civilian villages without warning.
Now there is an opportunity to get an official UN Inquiry into these crimes, an important step to exposing the truth and getting action to end these abuses.
Later this year the UN General Assembly will meet, and each year it passes a resolution on Burma. The European Union always drafts this resolution. In the coming weeks the EU will have to decide whether or not to include establishing an inquiry in the resolution.
We must make sure that they do!
Please write to the Foreign Secretary, William Hague MP, asking him to ensure that the European Union includes a Commission of Inquiry in the Resolution.
Actions: Take Action Now! Send a letter to Foreign Secretary
Take Action Now! Send a letter to Foreign Secretary, William Hague MP.
Please print and send the letter below to:
Foreign Secretary, William Hague MP
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Dear Foreign Secretary,
I am writing about the increase in serious human rights violations in Burma, which may constitute possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Burma has called for an Inquiry into these abuses, but so far no action has been taken to establish an Inquiry.
The UN General Assembly resolution on Burma is drafted by the European Union. This is an excellent opportunity for the EU to include the establishment of an Inquiry.
Since 1992 the UN General Assembly has been calling on the dictatorship to respect international law. The UN General Assembly resolutions on Burma have described at least 15 different human rights abuses which could be classified as possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It is not credible for the UN General Assembly to continue to describe and condemn human rights abuses, and continue to call for inquiries, in the full and certain knowledge that the resolution will be ignored. A UN Commission
of Inquiry will have an impact, helping to reduce abuses.
The EU is also obliged to take action under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, which states it must take action to promote: ‘Democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.’
Please do all that you can to ensure the European Union includes establishing a Commission of Inquiry into the draft General Assembly resolution on Burma.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely
We desperately need your help.
Burma Campaign UK is making a difference, but without support from members of the public our work would end.
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