U.S. Campaign for Burma

U.S. Must Back UN Report

In March, we had our first major success in the movement to hold Burma's Generals accountable for their crimes against humanity. Now we must capitalize on the momentum!

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, released a groundbreaking report to the UN Human Rights Council calling for a Commission of Inquiry into Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes in Burma, after nearly a year of being bombarded by our demands. This is the first time an acting UN official has called for such strong action. The ball is rolling now and we must ensure that it does not slow down!

Democratic governments such as the United Kingdom, Australia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia already support the call for a UN-led Commission of Inquiry on Burma. Now, we need the United States government to get on board and be a strong voice supporting Mr. Quintana's recommendations.

Without the backing of the United States, the Special Rapporteur's call will go ignored! Tell President Obama that the U.S. must support a UN Commission of Inquiry into the regime's war crimes and crimes against humanity. Do not let this opportunity pass by!

Let's make sure this happens!

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear Mr. President,

In March, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Tomas Quintana released a report calling for a UN investigation into the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes taking place in Burma.

The U.S. must support this initiative if it is to be successful!

The Elders, the esteemed group of eminent global leaders, founded by Nelson Mandela and chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whose members also include former President Jimmy Carter and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, recently called upon countries to support the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma.

Democratic governments such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia already support the call for a UN-led Commission of Inquiry on Burma. The United States should get on board and be a strong voice supporting Mr. Quintana’s recommendations.

Please take a leadership role on this issue and do everything in your power to make sure the UN follows through on Mr. Quintana's recommendations.

His report finds:

Given the gross and systematic nature of human rights violations in Myanmar over a period of many years, and the lack of accountability, there is an indication that those human rights violations are the result of a State policy that involves authorities in the executive, military and judiciary at all levels. According to consistent reports, the possibility exists that some of these human rights violations may entail categories of crimes against humanity or war crimes under the terms of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

...Given this lack of accountability, United Nations institutions may consider the possibility to establish a commission of inquiry with a specific fact-finding mandate to address the question of international crimes. At this particular stage in the history of Myanmar, the State faces this critical assignment which must be addressed by this Government and by a newly elected Government as well...

The full text of the report can be found here: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/13session/A-HRC-13-48.pdf.

Please ensure that the voices of those suffering in Burma are not silenced and implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur's report.