Netherlands Supports UN Burma Crimes Inquiry

Burma Campaign UK today welcomed Netherlands backing for a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma.

The expression of support was in response to a draft Resolution in the Netherlands Parliament calling on the government to support an Inquiry, and also work for the establishment of an Inquiry to be included in the forthcoming UN General Assembly Resolution on Burma. It was confirmed to the exiled Burmese news service Mizzima today.

New Zealand was also confirmed today as publicly supporting a UN inquiry.

Netherlands is the 9th country officially on the record as supporting an Inquiry, and the 5th EU member to express support. The other countries are Australia, UK, Czech Republic, Slovakia, USA, Canada, Hungary and New Zealand.

The European Union has not yet decided an official position on whether to support a Commission of Inquiry.

In March 2010 the UN Special Rapporteur on Burma recommended that the UN establish an Inquiry.

“The official support of The Netherlands for a UN Inquiry into crimes in Burma is very welcome,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. “Every EU member supporting brings us a step closer to official EU support. The EU should urgently support an Inquiry. Horrific human rights abuses which break international law are being committed every day. There is no excuse for delay.”

The Burma Campaign UK has published a detailed briefing on the UN General Assembly and Burma, available at: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/news-and-reports/burma-briefing/title/the-united-nations-general-assembly-burma