UN Security Council must address war crimes in Burma

Wednesday, 11 April 2012 13:52 Mizzima News 

(Commentary) – 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.

The United Nations General Assembly hall at its headquarters in New York Photo: flickr

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.”

LINK : http://www.mizzima.com/edop/commentary/6936-un-security-council-must-address-war-crimes-in-burma.html

UN pledges to establish full country programme in Myanmar

By Augustine Anthuvan | Posted: 13 March 2012 2114 hrs

YANGON: The UN development chief Helen Clark said building government institutions and dealing with issues like corruption will be critical in Myanmar as it chases development.

There are signs in Myanmar that indicate a new phase is about to be ushered into the country which had been controlled by the military for almost five decades until an army-backed government took power early last year.

In Thongwa village, which is located on the outskirts of Yangon, Aung San Suu Kyi, who leads the National League for Democracy, will be campaigning there for a parliamentary seat at the upcoming April 1 by-elections.

And in Naypyidaw, President Thein Sein while addressing parliament, has pledged to continue reforms.

Ms Clark, who is the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said: "I think Myanmar will need support to build the organs that can service a modern state. It is going to want and chase development very hard now. The openings that it is making to the world and the signals that are coming (from the country) are encouraging."

However, observers pointed out that a clean government and good governance will be key in building the nation.

Ms Clark said: "UNDP would love to be able to have a full country programme in Myanmar and we're hoping that what's happening and the impact that's having with the international community will make that possible. I think we will be in a position to support Myanmar to develop its government institutions and deal with issues like corruption. That is critical for getting a good run at development and building the capacity and skills of officials at each level of government from the central down to the local to really make wise development decisions."

At a rally in the northernmost state of Kachin, there are strong appeals for unity among Myanmar's disparate ethnic groups and calls for an immediate end to conflict between government troops and Kachin rebels.

But not everyone in Myanmar shares the same vision. In the mountains of Kachin, dreams of full autonomy prevail and at the border with China's Yunnan province, refugees are still afraid to return.

Ms Clark said: "Conflict always hampers development. You can't develop in the midst of a war or a lot of violence. UNDP's mandate also extends to recovery from crisis, peace building and community reconciliation. There is a lot of that to do in Myanmar.

"To my understanding, Myanmar has the lowest development assistance per capita in the world and this can only improve. I think if the by-election process goes well, there will then be a much wider range of interest from development partners. That can then support the agencies like UNDP to work with Myanmar to put the building blocks for development in place."

Organic farming and eco tourism have since been identified as development possibilities.

And while the people of Myanmar have a lot to look forward to, what they need most now is the right assistance to help accelerate the changes they wish to make.

- CNA/fa

Link : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southeastasia/view/1188769/1/.html