Australia supports UN Commission of Inquiry into Crimes in Burma

Media Release from Burma Campaign Australia

In a major victory for Burma campaigners Australia is the first country to publicly announce its support for a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in Burma.

In a statement at the UN Human Rights Council earlier this week Australia’s representative to the council, Angela Robinson, said: “Australia would support investigating possible options for a United Nations commission of inquiry”.

“The Special Rapporteur’s report to the Council again confirmed the dire human rights situation in Myanmar and reaffirmed the need for the international community to remain engaged in seeking to improve the situation,” Ms Robinson said.“Australia noted the Special Rapporteur’s suggestion that United Nations institutions might consider the possibility of establishing a commission of inquiry to address the question of international crimes in Myanmar.“

Burma Campaign Australia spokesperson Zetty Brake said the Australia’s support for a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in Burma was welcomed.“Human rights abuses including forced labour, rape, extra-judicial execution, torture, are widespread in Burma and tragically a part of every day life for the people of Burma.  These systematic violation of right amounts to crimes against humanity and war crimes, which the regime needs to be held accountable for,”Ms Brake said.  “Australia’s support of a UN Commission of Inquiry is a fantastic first step.

The next step is making sure that this goodwill is turned into a Commission of Inquiry.”Last week an advance copy of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar/Burma Tomas Quintana report to the UNHRC was released.

It included a call for the UN to establish a Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma. Attached is the transcript from the UNHRC discussion.

For more information contact Zetty Brake 0416289235

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