Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The realisation of a UN commission of inquiry into crimes against humanity in Burma took another hit yesterday, with the public disclosure of a General Assembly draft resolution on Burma omitting any reference to the formation of such a body.
Interest in the commission had been growing during the summer, but with recent reports of the United States tempering its enthusiasm in pushing the issue forward amid strong Chinese opposition, prospects appeared remote at best.
The document does, however, use strong language in denouncing continuing rights violations in Burma and calling on the regime to implement without delay an “impartial and independent investigation into all reports of human rights violations, and to bring to justice those responsible in order to end impunity”.
Despite not explicitly calling for a commission of inquiry, Benedict Rogers of Christian Solidarity Worldwide – an aid organisation that has worked with groups along Burmese border areas – and an author on Burmese politics and current events, welcomed news of the document.
“We welcome the UN General Assembly resolution, but we urge the international community to go further and establish a formal commission of inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity in Burma,” Rogers said. “The new constitution guarantees the military immunity for past, present and future crimes, so the onus is on the international community to act.”
The latest resolution, while acknowledging the continued failure of the Burmese government in addressing concerns expressed in previous resolutions, reiterates the international community’s call for genuine dialogue between competing factions to Burma’s political crisis and the release of the its more than 2,000 political prisoners.
The resolution was submitted by the European Union, with support from 42 co-sponsors.
Only Argentina, Canada and the Britain, during the convening of the General Assembly’s Third Committee, directly supported the Assembly taking action to establish a commission of inquiry.
