European MPs Welcome Hungary Support for Burma Crimes Inquiry

.by Burma Campaign UK on Monday, 06 September 2010 at 10:27.

Media Release From European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma

The European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma (EPCB) today welcomed a statement of support by the Republic of Hungary for a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma.

In reply to EPCB’s recent letter to the Hungarian government, asking it to support a UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma, Hungary became the sixth country to publicly support a UN Inquiry. UK, Australia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Canada and USA have also expressed their support for an Inquiry.

In his letter to the EPCB, the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Janor Martonyi, said: “The Republic of Hungary welcomes and supports your recommendation to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the current situation in Burma. We are convinced that the Commission could succeed in investigating the current situation and in this way contribute to the promotion of human rights in Burma.”

The statement of support comes at a crucial time as the EU is drafting the next UN General Assembly resolution on Burma, which should include the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry.

In Burma, the military junta is committing widespread and systematic crimes with impunity. The crimes include the destruction of more than 3,500 villages in Eastern Burma, the widespread use of rape as a weapon of war against ethnic minorities, the forced displacement of over 1 million refugees and internally displaced people, the recruitment of tens of thousands of child soldiers, and the widespread use of forced labour in the country. The UN Commission of Inquiry, which will allow the investigation of these crimes, can be a crucial and effective step that the international community must support.

“Despite the growing support for a UN Inquiry, the EU remains silent. Now, following the public statement of support by another EU member, the EU as a whole must break its silence and include the establishment of such an Inquiry in the next UN General Assembly Resolution on Burma,” said Silver Meikar, executive committee member of European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma.