As the United Nations Security Council will
soon meet to discuss developments in Burma, Burma Campaign UK calls on Council
members to address attacks against ethnic minority civilians by the Burmese
Army, which have escalated in the past year.
There
have been significant changes and welcome reforms in Burma, including the
recent by-elections which, although not free and fair, saw Aung San Suu Kyi and
her party, the National League for Democracy win 43 seats. It is right that
these changes are acknowledged and encouraged.
However,
this should not be at the cost of turning a blind eye to serious violations of
international law which are being perpetrated against ethnic minorities.
In his
last report the UN Special Rapporteur listed a series of human rights abuses,
all committed in Burma in recent months, which could constitute war crimes and
crimes against humanity. They include:
‘…grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law,
including attacks against the civilian population, extrajudicial killings,
internal displacement, the use of human shields and forced labour, confiscation
and destruction of property, and conflict-related sexual violence...’
Burma
Campaign UK recently visited the conflict zone in Kachin State, Burma, and
documented cases of rape, extrajudicial killings, abductions, torture,
deliberate targeting of civilians with mortar and machine gun fire, looting,
beatings, forced labour and use of child soldiers by the Burmese Army. Around 70,000 people have been forced to flee
attacks and abuses by the Burmese Army, and President Thein Sein is not
allowing aid agencies proper access to deliver essential aid.
“Encouraging
further reforms while also addressing serious human rights abuses are not
incompatible, and are in fact essential if lasting peace and democratic change
are to be secured,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “The UN Security Council has a legal duty to
address the increase in violations of international law which have taken place
in Burma in the past year.”
Mizzima
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