Open letter to H.E. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy vice-President of the European Commission

By International Federation for Human Rights • October 1, 2010

FIDH calls for the public and unequivocal support of the European Union for the creation of a United Nations commission of inquiry on atrocities in Burma

1st october 2010 – The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) addressed yesterday an open letter to H.E. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and vice-President of the European Commission calling upon the European Union to support the establishment of a United Nations commission of inquiry in Burma/Myanmar.

With this letter, FIDH, transmitted to the High Representative the latest report of its affiliated league, the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN – Burma), documenting the latest grave violations committed in Burma. FIDH reiterated its call to the High Representative and the European Union to assist the Burmese people’s quest for justice and truth, by supporting the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry in the current session of the United Nations General Assembly and include such a demand in the proposed resolution to be adopted by the Assembly, with a specific fact-finding mandate to investigate allegations on war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed by all actors, state and non-state, in the country.

Under the international human rights law and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council as well as the doctrine of the “responsibility to protect”, the European Union should take concrete actions in order to guarantee the security and the basic rights of large part of Burmese population.