Stars sign up for an end to rape and sexual violence in Myanmar
Media Release From Burma Campaign UK Image by ed_needs_a_bicycle
110 high profile women stand with the women of Burma to end rape and sexual violence
On International Women's Day,
Annie Lennox receiving an honorary doctorate, University of Essex, 16 July 2013
. An investigation into rape and sexual violence by the Burmese military against ethnic women and girls.
. An end to impunity for rape and other forms of sexual violence in Burma.
. Support for victims.
. The inclusion of women at every political level in Burma including the peace negotiations between the Burmese government and the ethnic armed political groups.
. Burma's Rape Law to be in line with international human rights standards to outlaw rape in marriage.
A full list of women supporting the campaign, and a briefing on the issue, is attached, and will be available on the Burma Campaign UK website from 00.01 GMT Tuesday 8th March.
The Burmese army has used rape and sexual violence against women for decades as part of their warfare against ethnic minority groups in the country. This has been done with impunity and denial. Cases of women and girls being raped by soldiers from the government's forces include the rape of a 12 year old girl in front of her mother, and of a disabled woman. Many of the victims were gang-raped, and many killed afterwards. This is in breach of international law, and constitutes a war crime. Reports of rape have increased in recent years. UN reports have described rape and sexual violence as "widespread and systematic".
Although winning a landslide victory in national elections in November 2015, the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, will not have control over the Burmese army when it takes office in April 2016. Therefore, there is a possibility that army rape will continue even with the new NLD-led government in place.
The new NLD-led government could initiate a domestic investigation into rape and sexual violence by the Burmese army, and make sure support for victims is available. It could also include women in peace negotiations and politics overall, as well as repealing laws, such as Burma's rape law, which discriminate against women. However, the army could prove uncooperative with a possible investigation into rape and sexual violence.
Women's groups in Burma, such as the Women's League of Burma and its members, have long been highlighting the use of rape and sexual violence by the Burmese army against ethnic minority women. While there now is a possibility of a domestic investigation into this under the new NLD-led government, if the Burmese army proves uncooperative and rape and sexual violence continues, the international community must consider an international investigation to address these crimes. The international community should also offer proper support to survivors, and to support the inclusion of women in peace negotiations and at every political level in Burma.
"As a woman from Burma, I am grateful to see so many high profile women from the UK join forces with us to stop rape and sexual violence by the Burmese Army," said Zoya Phan, Campaigns Manager at Burma Campaign UK. "The continuing use of rape and sexual violence by the Burmese Army is a crime, and the lack of action to stop it is a scandal."
Members of the public are being invited to join the 110 women and stand with the women of Burma by signing the pledge to help stop rape and sexual violence in Burma. They can do so at:
https://action.burmacampaign.org.uk/stand-women-burma-end-rape-and-sexual-violence
