U.S. Supports UN Investigation into Crimes Against Humanity in Burma
EU and Canada Must Join the U.S. at the Upcoming UN Meetings in September

Dear Friends of Burma,

A major victory for human rights in Burma! After months of rigorous campaigning by USCB and Free Burma activists around the country, the Obama administration finally agreed to support the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. This is a huge step forward and made headlines around the world. See the articles in the Washington Post and Foreign Policy.

We did it together and thank you very much for making the voices of the people of Burma heard by the White House.

However, we must continue to urge policy makers to transform their words to action. Big events are coming up at the UN. The 15th Session of UN Human Rights Council and the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly are only a month away. At these meetings, the United States must rally other countries to create UN Resolutions calling on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to set up a Commission of Inquiry with no further delay.

To make this happen, we need the support of Canada and the EU. So far, only three members of the EU: United Kingdom, Czech Republic and Slovakia, have expressed their support for the Commission. We need other members to end their silence. We know that the Canadian government is considering supporting the Commission.

A Commission of Inquiry in Burma won't happen without the support of the international community. With only a month away from UN meetings, we need you to contact the EU and Canadian Embassies/Delegations in DC and New York, by telephone, fax and email, urging these diplomats to publicly support the establishment of the UN Commission of Inquiry in Burma. Please see contact information and brief script below.

With one victory in the bag for Burma, let's work together to make another victory.

Aung Din, Jennifer, Mike and Nadi



Instructions:

1) Dial one of the numbers below and ask to speak to the corresponding ambassador.

Hi, May I speak to Ambassador XXX, I would like to ask them to support a Commission of Inquiry into Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes in Burma.

Ambassador's Contacts

(1) H.E. Mr. Gary Doer, Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America
Tel.: (202) 682-1740
Office of the Ambassador, Fax: 202-682-7678

(2) H.E. Ambassador John McNee, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations
E-mail:canada@un.int or prmny@international.gc.ca
Telephone: (1) 212-848-1100
Fax: (1) 212-848-1195, -1192, -1128

(3) H. E. Mr. Pedro Serrano, Ambassador, Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Tel. (212) 371 3804
Fax (212) 758 2718
Email: delegation-new-york@ec.europa.eu
Ms. Helen Beckman, Secretary to Head of Delegation, helen.beckman@ec.europa.eu

(4) H.E. Ambassador João Vale de Almeida, European Union Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to the United States
Telephone: (202) 862-9500; Fax: (202) 429-1766

2) It is likely that they will ask you to leave a message.

Hi Ambassador XXXX. As you may know, today the United States pledged its support for a UN-led Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity in Burma. This is a much needed step as the military regime in Burma has been brutally suppressing ethnic minorities and human rights defenders for more than four decades. Recently, the level of violence has been on the rise. Since 1996, the regime has burned down over 3,500 villages, and instances of rape and forced labor by the military are well documented. That is why I urge your country to join the United States, the United Kingdom, the Czeck Republic, Slovakia and Australia in calling for this important measure towards accountability and justice in Burma.

3) You may want to leave your number in case they would like to call you back.

If you have any further questions about why you should support a Commission of Inquiry in Burma, feel free to call me at XXXXX

4) Thank them for taking the message!

5) Email mikejen@uscampaignforburma.org to let us know how the call went.

Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma: