USA Backs UN Burma Crimes Inquiry – Now EU Must Support

Burma Campaign UK today welcomed US backing for a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma, and called on European Union members to also express support.

On 17th August the USA became the fifth county to publicly support a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. The other countries are Australia, UK, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The EU has so far remained silent on the March recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur on Burma that the UN establish an Inquiry. Some EU members which favour a softer line towards Burma’s generals, such as Germany, Austria and Italy, as well as Commission officials, effectively play down the seriousness of human rights abuses in Burma by remaining silent about them. This may be because the seriousness of abuses taking place undermines their agenda to relax pressure and increase trade.

“The EU must end its silence on crimes against humanity in Burma, and publicly support a UN Inquiry,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “The EU is currently drafting the UN General Assembly resolution on Burma and must ensure the establishment of a UN Inquiry is in the resolution which is adopted.”

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

Burma Campaign groups from across Europe have this week written to their governments asking them to support the establishment of an Inquiry in the UN General Assembly resolution.

For more information contact Mark Farmaner on 0207 324 4710

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