Burma Action Ireland welcomes Irish Government’s support for UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in Burma

Burma Action Ireland welcomes the decision of the Irish Government to support the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. Ireland joins France, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania in backing the proposal for an investigation into human rights abuses in Burma.

In March 2010, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Burma called on the UN to consider the possibility of establishing a Commission of Inquiry into crimes committed in Burma which violate international law, stating that the abuses were ‘a state policy that involves authorities in the executive, military and judiciary at all levels’.  Human rights violations committed by the Burmese military include deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, sexual violence against women and young girls, forced labour, use of child soldiers, forced displacement of more than a million people, torture, and summary executions.

“Ireland’s support for a UN Commission of Inquiry is a positive development” said Keith Donald, Chairperson of Burma Action Ireland. He added “We urge the Irish Government to work within the European Union to include support for a UN Commission of Inquiry in the annual Burma resolution of the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly.”

Note to Editors

• Burma, a country with a population of over 50 million, has one of the world’s worst human rights records.
• The United Nations General Assembly has adopted 19 resolutions on the situation in Burma since 1991. The Resolutions, which are not binding under international law, have made many requests to the dictatorship ruling Burma, the overwhelming majority of which have been completely ignored. The language used in past UNGA resolutions relates to 15 possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. Despite 17 calls for inquiries since 1997, the UNGA has not established its own inquiry into these abuses.
• Burma Action Ireland is a voluntary group established in May 1996 to raise awareness in Ireland of the current situation in Burma and the nature of the ruling regime. BAI is non-party political, non-denominational and committed to non-violent means.

For further information:

Caoimhe Hughes – Burma Action Ireland: 087 126 1857

This post is in: Press Release