UN Burma Inquiry Supported by Two More Countries After London Protests
10 March 2011: Two more European countries, Denmark and Latvia, have decided to support an inquiry into human rights violations in Burma, following a series of demonstrations held in front of six European embassies in London today.
The 100-strong protests led by Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK, and daughter of Ko Mya Aye, one of the 2168 political prisoners in Burma, handed in letters to European embassies of Sweden, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway and Germany.
Wai Hnin said: “Today we made sure European governments could not ignore the situation of political prisoners in Burma, which is a crime against humanity. I am very pleased that two more European countries are supporting a Commission into crimes against humanity in Burma. The European Union must now officially support a UN Commission of Inquiry.”
In their statements, Latvia and Denmark expressed support ‘in principle’ for a UN Commission of Inquiry and the establishment of an international investigation into human rights abuses in Burma, according to Burma Campaign UK.
The protest at the Danish Embassy was later called off following their expression of support for the inquiry.
Today marked the 44th birthday of Ko Mya Aye, one of the 8888 generation pro-democracy student activists, who has been serving his 65-year and 6-month sentence since his second arrest in 2007.
As of today, a total of 16 countries, with dozens of organistaions in Burma and Nobel Laureates, have supported a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma, according to Burma Campaign UK.
It is estimated that there are currently more than 2076 political prisoners in military-ruled Burma.
Van Biak Thang
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