Post-election Burma: Impunity still reigns, women and children more vulnerable to crimes

By Altsean-Burma • July 19, 2011

Since the 7 November elections, Burma’s regime has continued to perpetrate crimes against humanity and war crimes with total impunity. Reports of serious international crimes have increased significantly in line with the escalation of the ongoing Tatmadaw offensives in Kachin, Shan, and Karen States.

Women and children have been particularly vulnerable. Tatmadaw soldiers raped and killed women during their offensive in Kachin and Shan States. The regime also continued to recruit children into the military in order to offset the steady increase in desertions.

In May, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Tomás Ojea Quintana reiterated his call for the creation of a UN-mandated Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into serious international crimes in Burma. In June, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also reiterated her support for a CoI. As of 1 July, 16 countries have endorsed the establishment of a CoI.

Those governments that hoped for the flawed elections and compromised Parliament to deliver some form of progress must recognize that an impartial and independent CoI is a necessary measure to address the root causes of political crisis in Burma and empower all stakeholders to push forward the agenda for reform.

The briefer has been produced for the 19 July Press Conference “Gang-rapes, the killing of women and girls and other war crimes in North-East Burma: The EU’s responsibility to protect fails to be triggered” convened by the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and Actions Birmanie (AB) in Brussels.

Download the briefer here.