Immediate Press Release
The Burma Forum on UPR

14th March 2011

The Burma Forum for Universal Periodic Review (BF-UPR) strongly urges that the Human Rights Council must endorse UN Special Rapporteur, Mr. Tomas Quintana’s recommendation for an independent Commission of Inquiry in Burma.

The report exposes the increased repression faced by the people of Burma during the election period; the ongoing failure of the regime to protect and provide for the economic, social and cultural rights of its people and the devastating impact of this on Burma’s children; and Mr.Quintana calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners, and for truth, accountability and justice through a commission of inquiry.
This is the third time the Special Rapporteur has called for the establishment of a CoI to investigate possible crimes against humanity in Burma. Despite repeated calls, the military regime of Burma denies grave human rights violations occurring and thus has done nothing to thoroughly investigate with a credible, independent and impartial body team of experts in human rights and the international laws.
Torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, extra-judicial killings, sexual violence, forced labour, and the recruitment of child soldiers are ongoing and systematic and committed by military regime and its troops. The list of abuses is long and well documented.
At least fifteen countries have expressed support for the establishment of a UN commission of inquiry, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
“We welcome the decision by Denmark and Latvia to publicly support a CoI. It is now time for the rest of the international community to do the same. BF_UPR urges ASEAN, the European Union, and all Human Rights Council members to pledge their support for a commission of inquiry into crimes against humanity in Burma, as recommended by the UN Special Rapporteur. For how long will the international community stand idly by as the regime abuses the rights of its people? Those countries who have already indicated their support for a CoI must now make a concerted effort to ensure it becomes a reality. Rhetoric is not enough"... Aung Myo Min, the BF-UPR representative said.

Media contact: Aung Myo Min-Executive Director- HREIB +66 (0)819925293
General information: Cheery Zahau, Advocacy Officer-HREIB + 66(0) 849213423