Canada Please Don't forget Burma

Thank you for your email of December 7, 2009, on behalf of Global Action
for Burma, Burma Ethnic Nationalities and Burmese activists in Canada,
concerning the 2010 elections in Burma and the establishment of a United
Nations (UN) Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in Burma.
The Office of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, has
also forwarded to me a copy of your correspondence on this issue.

The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of
Canada's foreign policy. In all circumstances, Canada stands up for
human rights and takes principled positions on important issues to
promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Canada is deeply concerned about the situation in Burma and the safety
and well-being of its people. Through its embassies and high commissions
around the world, Canada regularly raises its concerns about human
rights with the Burmese authorities and works with the international
community, including Burma's neighbours such as China, India and members
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to pressure Burma to
undertake genuine reform and engage in a genuine dialogue with the
democratic opposition.

Canada is aware of the case being made by civil society for the
establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in
Burma and is studying it closely. Canada has long supported
accountability for those responsible for the commission of serious
international crimes. However, an international initiative such as this
cannot be moved forward by a single State nor can it be established
without the support of the UN Security Council.

Canada has long supported the multilateral efforts of the UN in Burma,
including the efforts of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, as well as
those of his Special Adviser on Myanmar and the UN Special Rapporteur on
the situation of human rights in Myanmar. Canada continues to support
the UN's active engagement with Burma. In addition, Canada has
co-sponsored the UN General Assembly Third Committee resolution on the
situation of human rights in Myanmar for several years and was proud to
co-sponsor a UN Human Rights Council resolution on Myanmar, in the fall
of 2009. Canada has imposed the toughest sanctions in the world against
Burma. They are intended to exert pressure against the military junta
and to demonstrate Canada's abhorrence for the regime's complete
disregard for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of
Burma. In addition, on October 17, 2007, Parliament passed a motion in
the House of Commons to confer honorary citizenship on Aung San Suu Kyi
in recognition of her commitment to the democratic movement in Burma.

Canada has serious concerns that the 2010 elections will not be
conducted in line with international standards but rather serve to
legitimize continued military rule. As such, our government has
regularly called upon the Burmese regime to free all political
prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to engage in a genuine
dialogue with members of the democratic opposition and ethnic groups of
Burma. Canada considers these criteria as essential in order for the
2010 elections to be considered free and fair.
Thank you for taking the time to write and share your concerns.

Sincerely,