Burmese Language
Burma war crimes probe gets UN backing
The Burmese government should be investigated for war crimes and crimes against humanity, a leading UN rights expert has urged.
It is one of the highest endorsements of a probe into state-sanctioned human rights abuses in Burma, and follows similar calls last year by British MPs and a raft of rights groups.
UN special rapporteur for Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, published his recommendations in a 30-page report submitted yesterday to the UN Human Rights Council.
The report states that some actions of the ruling junta “may entail categories of crimes against humanity or war crimes under the terms of the Statute of the International Criminal Court”.
He added that the lack of accountability surrounding the “gross and systematic” nature of abuses indicated “a state policy that involves authorities in the executive, military and judiciary at all levels”.
Rights abuses include violations of “the right to life, right to liberty…due process of law, protection of civilians and internally displaced communities [and] prohibition against discrimination”.
The report was hailed by rights groups who have regularly complained that the UN has been impotent when it comes to tackling the crisis in Burma.
Zoya Phan, international coordinator at Burma Campaign UK, said that Quintana’s comments were “a major step forward”.
“Burma’s generals are criminals; the evidence is everywhere to see. It is now time for their crimes to be investigated,” she said, adding that the British government should “publicly state that they support this recommendation”.
In December last year, 440 MPs from around the world urged UN chief Ban Ki-moon to investigate war crimes in Burma.
Both a leading Thai aid group, the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), and a panel of leading international jurists, who released the Crimes in Burma report in May last year, have said the situation in eastern Burma is comparable to Darfur.
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It is a good story to read but what can UN do? They are just talking, talking no action.
Look at Cambodia where millions are killed and yet where is the culprit. Putting one trail is just a show, nothing else and all the UN personal are collecting all the allowance (Daily allowance, Hardship allowance) and all their salaries nett imcome.
NO ACTIONS JUST TALKING AND ENRICHING THEMSELVES ONLY
I really agreed with Khin Maung.
We have never been seeing UN success in dealing with regim in the world. It had many strong evidences that state sponsors group had been killing,beating, torturing, Jailing and even rape. But UN did nothing. Everybody in UN just talking no action.
we want the real action to be taken immidiately!
It’s quite funny – they (UN) are really like a toothless tiger. In Burmese we say the “barking dog never bites”.
From more than 20 years of experience regarding international actions toward Burma, If you can say the word “Concerned” ( with an adverb in front of it ) you can work in an UN agency or be a diplomat.
UN for Rohingya, not Burmese. They successfully fought in Bosnia against Orthodox Christians, Serbs but not Bashir, Sudanese president who genocide his own porpulation.
Karen for facing crucial discremenation, genocide, but there is not even concern statement from UN. But Muslim migrate from Bengladesh and run away for immigration practice or sail to Malaysia for economic reason become good attention for UN ( United Muslim). UN for Rohingya, whoever work for UN, you should ashame by selling your own country for just penny of your salary.
it’s partly right. Why they don’t take military actions is they respect liberty and international laws and human rights.. But it’s over time.The time we need to wait is over. The regimes become worse and worse. They know the weakness of UN and taking advantageous of it..So poor UN.They are trapped by China , Russia and Burma.
THe UN is ineffective because China, a UN Sec Council member, has a terrible human rights record itself.
Yes ,unfortunately UN has the most outstanding rate of total failures all over the world. The worse part of this, is the” enemy ” knows and understands the UN incapacity at doing anything . The face of a paper dog : beautiful , ugly ,incapable of biting .
You are close, Freedom Philosopher. Actually China has its eye on the rich oil reserves in Burma and so the UN Sec Council member will of course do nothing to condemn Burma’s military regime for murdering and torturing its own citizens. It was a similar situation that caused all the problems in Darfur.
they have said it loud and clear…UN has never been united especially over Burma…first example is the US. cheater, and liar. without an American or the cooperation of the US, our people would have Aung Sun Sui Kyi freed and participate in the election. We only pray that self-made evil rulers will be divided among themselves one day and kill each other on another day… hopeless from UN, US… in our prayer we say, Holy Mary pray for us (US) sinners now and at the hour of our death
UN is should change to United Nutcases instead of United Nations, and yes they are like NATO, \No Action, Talk Only\..nothing will change.. everything will be the same as before..you want to change, people? You have to do it your self, as it will be as they say\ a people or country will always get the government it deserves!\ It a Burmese thing, people, no body will help us, unless we do it ourselves, human nature and all that…